Kahlua – FoodWatcher

B 52 Cocktail (or B52 Shot)

Here’s how to make the B 52 cocktail, aka a B52 shot! Layered Kahlua, Irish cream, and Grand Marnier make…

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 Ru s sian, 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

What does a B52 shot taste like?

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.

Can I make variations of a B52 shot?

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).

Is it safe to flame a B-52?

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)

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Here’s how to make the B 52 cocktail, aka B52 shot! Layered Kahlua, Irish cream, and Grand Marnier make the perfect sip.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
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)

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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

Bushwacker Drink

The Bushwacker drink is like a mashup of a chocolate milkshake and piña colada! This boozy frozen cocktail stars Kahlua…

The Bushwacker drink is like a mashup of a chocolate milkshake and piña colada! This boozy frozen cocktail stars Kahlua and creme de cacao.

Bushwacker Drink in glass with cherry and chocolate shavings

Here’s a frozen cocktail that will blow your mind with its creamy, chocolaty flavor: the Bushwacker drink! It’s equal parts refreshing and rich—like a mashup of a chocolate milkshake and piña colada.

The Bushwacker is lusciously smooth with notes of chocolate, coffee and vanilla. It’s perfect for sipping poolside as a summer cocktail, or as a dessert drink any time you’re dreaming of sun. As two cocktail experts, this is one sweet cocktail we have a soft spot for!

Bushwacker cocktail ingredients

The Bushwacker is a frozen cocktail made with rum, Kahlua, creme de cacao, cream of coconut, and milk, known for its creamy texture, sweet flavor, and boozy kick. Invented in the 1970’s in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, it has since become popular in Florida and the American South.

What’s in a Bushwacker? This frozen boozy milkshake relies on these ingredients blended to perfection (along with ice):

Rum: Dark rum is common in a Bushwacker, but you can use aged or white rum. We like aged rum (golden or añejo) for its subtle notes of vanilla, coconut, and caramel.
Kahlua: Kahlua is a coffee liqueur made in Mexico. You can use other types of coffee liqueur like Tia Maria.
Creme de cacao: Creme de cacao is a chocolate liqueur, available in both white and dark varieties. The original Bushwacker had dark creme de cacao, but white is easier to find and what we call for here.
Cream of coconut: This is a sweetened syrup for drinks, made with coconut cream and sugar and sold in squeeze bottles at liquor stores (or online). Make sure to buy cream of coconut, a sweetened syrup for drinks—not coconut cream, which is an entirely different product.
Milk: Any type of milk works here, like 2%, whole, or non-dairy milks like oat milk or almond milk.

Tip: If you accidentally buy coconut cream, you can still save your Bushwhacker! Use 1 oz coconut cream and 1 oz simple syrup in place of the 2 oz cream of coconut.

Bushwacker Drink in glass with chocolate shavings and cherry

The story behind the name?

The Bushwacker was invented at the Ship’s Store Pub in St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands in 1975 as a tropical spin on the White Russian by bartender Angie Conigliaro and manager Tom Brokamp. Apparently they named it after a guest’s dog, an Afghan hound named Bushwack!

Tips for making a Bushwacker drink

Once you’ve got your specialty liquors, mixing up the Bushwacker drink is a breeze! Here’s what to do (or scroll down to the full recipe):

Place 2 ounces (¼ cup) of all liquid ingredients into a blender. Add 3 cups ice and blend.
Pour into a glass and garnish with a straw. Garnish with a maraschino cherry for a classic presentation. The drink tends to separate, which is normal: just stir it up with your straw while drinking!
It’s easily made dairy-free: There’s no dairy in any of the liqueurs in a Bushwacker drink, so it’s easy to convert it into a dairy free or vegan cocktail using oat milk.

Frequently asked questions

What does a Bushwacker taste like?

The dominant flavors are chocolate and coconut, with hints of coffee and rum. The creaminess adds a luxurious mouthfeel, and the overall taste is sweet and refreshing. It’s not a strong drink, but there’s enough alcohol that it should be enjoyed responsibly.

Is a Bushwacker similar to a Piña Colada?

While both are creamy and tropical, a Piña Colada features rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut. The Bushwacker adds coffee liqueur, dark crème de cacao, and skips the pineapple juice, resulting in a more chocolatey and coffee-forward flavor.

What kind of rum is best for a Bushwacker?

Dark rum is the traditional choice, offering a deeper flavor compared to lighter rums. You can also aged rum (anejo) with great results. White rum works but has a more straightforward flavor.

What is creme de cacao and what other drinks use it?

Creme de cacao is a chocolate liqueur. It’s possibly one of the first alcoholic beverages, made in the 1600’s by monks after cocoa beans were brought back to Europe from America (source).

Use it to make creme de cacao drinks like the Brandy Alexander, Chocolate Martini, or Grasshopper.

What is the difference between cream of coconut and coconut cream?

Cream of coconut is a sweetened syrup for drinks, made with coconut cream and sugar. You can use up leftovers in coconut cocktails like the Piña Colada, Chi Chi, Painkiller, or Coconut Martini.

Coconut cream is unsweetened, very thick, and has a strong coconut flavor. It’s typically sold in cans next to the coconut milk.

Read more at Cream of Coconut vs Coconut Cream.

What other drinks use Kahlua?

There are many Kahlua drinks! Try it in a Mudslide, Espresso Martini, B-52, Kahlua Coffee, Mind Eraser, Colorado Bulldog, Black Russian or White Russian.