Here’s how to make the B 52 cocktail, aka a B52 shot! Layered Kahlua, Irish cream, and Grand Marnier make the perfect drink.
Here’s a layered cocktail that’s mighty tasty: the B 52 cocktail! The B52 shot might be a little pedestrian, some might say. But as two cocktail experts, we think Kahlua coffee liqueur, sweet Irish cream, and zesty orange liqueur make a pretty great trio.
The combination is so classy, we’ve recreated it here as an after dinner drink in a stemmed cocktail glass. You can drink it either way, but we prefer slow sipping rather than downing it as a shot!
B 52 cocktail ingredients (aka B52 shot)
The B 52 cocktail is a layered shot of coffee liqueur (Kahlua), Irish cream (Baileys) and orange liqueur (Grand Marnier). The most popular origin story for the drink is that it was invented in 1977 by Peter Fich at the Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada, who named it after the band The B-52s. There are several other competing stories, like many other classic cocktails: everyone wants a claim!
This classic pairing of coffee, cream and orange became an instant hit, and it’s spawned all sorts of variations (including a flaming B52 shot). The B52 shot layers equal parts of these ingredients, which each float in separate layers due to their density:
- Coffee liqueur (Kahlua, Tia Maria, or other)
- Irish cream (Baileys or other)
- Orange liqueur (Grand Marnier, Cointreau or Triple Sec)
How to make the layers in a B52 shot
How do you get those beautiful layers of separation in a B52 shot? Pour the liquor over the back of spoon! Here’s how it works:
- Pour in the Kahlua first.
- Gently pour in the Irish cream over the back of a spoon. Pouring it over a spoon slows it down, allowing it to float on top of the Kahlua.
- Gently pour the Grand Marnier over the back of a spoon. This one will look a little less defined, especially if you’re making it in a cocktail glass.
Or, make it in a cocktail glass
Our favorite way to make a B 52 cocktail is in a cocktail glass. As cocktail connoisseurs and certified mixologists, we’re not really B52 shot people. Shots are designed to drink lots of alcohol in seconds, but we’re all about slow sipping and enjoying the art of craft cocktails. So, we like to make a B 52 cocktail in a cocktail glass! Here’s what to do:
- Use 1 ounce of each ingredient (instead of ½ ounce for the shot).
- The separation of the orange liqueur layer will not be as definitive in a cocktail glass. Because it’s larger, the layer looks muddier.
- Stir it up before sipping! If you don’t, you’ll get a big gulp of Grand Marnier on first sip. Stirring melds the flavors together.
Use any coffee liqueur, like Kahlua
You can use any type of coffee liqueur for a B 52 cocktail, but the most popular type you might already have on hand is Kahlua.
- Kahlua is a coffee liqueur that’s made in Mexico: it’s made with rum, sugar and coffee (no dairy!). It does have some caffeine, but only about 25% as much as the same volume of coffee.
- Some substitutes are like Tia Maria or Sheridan’s.
- Other cocktails that use Kahlua are Kahlua drinks like a White Russian, Black Russian, Bushwacker, or the popular Espresso Martini.
Options for the orange liqueur
There are lots of different types of orange liqueur, and the differences can be a little confusing. Here’s what’s best to use in a B52 shot:
- Grand Marnier is the most high end of all orange liqueurs. It’s a mixture of Triple Sec and Cognac and has a sophisticated, developed flavor, with notes of vanilla and oak.
- Cointreau is a good substitute: it’s a clear, orange-flavored liqueur with a lightly sweet, citrus perfume flavor (it’s also great in a Margarita).
- Triple Sec is any clear dry orange-flavored liqueur. Bottles labeled Triple Sec are typically lower in quality and more affordable than Cointreau. It has a straightforward orange flavor.
Frequently asked questions
A B52 shot has a sweet and creamy flavor with hints of coffee and orange. The layering of the ingredients creates a unique taste experience.
Yes, there are many variations of the B52 shot. Some popular options include the B53 (with Sambuca instead of Grand Marnier), the B54 (with Amaretto instead of Baileys), and the Flaming B52 (with a lit top layer).
Flaming cocktails should always be handled with caution. Make sure the shot glass is heat-resistant, and never leave a flaming drink unattended. If you’re unsure, it’s perfectly fine to enjoy a B-52 without flaming it: it tastes the same either way!
B 52 Cocktail (or Shot)
Print RecipeHere’s how to make the B 52 cocktail, aka B52 shot! Layered Kahlua, Irish cream, and Grand Marnier make the perfect sip.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink
- Category: Drink
- Method: Poured
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 ounce* Kahlua (½ ounce for the shot)
- 1 ounce Irish cream (½ ounce for the shot)
- 1 ounce Grand Marnier (½ ounce for the shot)
Instructions
- Add the Kahlua to a glass or shot glass. Slowly add Irish cream by pouring it over the back of a spoon.
- Slowly add the Grand Marnier over the back of spoon, allowing it to layer on top. The smaller size of the shot glass makes a more visible Grand Marnier layer. If drinking as a cocktail, you’ll want to stir before sipping. Enjoy!
Notes
*1 ounce = 2 tablespoons