The B-52 Shot: Three Great Tastes that Taste (and Look) Great Together

According to some sources, the tricolored shot cocktail known as the B-52 gets its title from the long-range bomber of the same name—a massive jet also known as the Stratofortress. But that doesn’t sound very sociable, does it? We prefer to go with other, much more fun, sources that place the drink’s origin in Banff, Alberta, and credit a bartender named Peter Fich with inventing it and, more importantly, naming it after the new wave band The B-52s. After all, a layered shot consisting of Kahlua, Baileys, and Grand Marnier sounds much more “Love Shack” than Strategic Air Command.

And since they’re all liqueurs, you can have a couple without winding up marooned in your own private Idaho.

Here’s the info, but remember, it’s all about the pouring technique:

Ingredients |

  • .5 oz Kahlua
  • .5 oz Baileys Irish Cream
  • .5 oz Grand Marnier

Method |

  • Pour Kahlua into a shot glass
  • Gently layer Baileys on top of the Kahlua
  • Gently layer Grand Marnier on top of the Baileys
  • Boom!