B52 Recipe

B52 recipe — The aviation enthusiast who looks sophisticated but crashes hard and fast. Made with coffee liqueur. Originally from Canada.

I'm all about precision and layers—literally. I may look elegant floating there in perfect formation, but I pack enough punch to ground even the most seasoned pilot. Fair warning: I go down smooth but hit like turbulence at 30,000 feet.

Despite its military aircraft name, the B52 shot was actually created in the 1970s at the Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada, and named after the rock band The B-52's, not the bomber. The layered effect mimics the band's layered harmonies.

Born in the mountain resort town of Banff in the 1970s, this shot was crafted by bartender Peter Fich at the Banff Springs Hotel. He named it after The B-52's rock band, creating a liquid tribute to their distinctive layered sound through carefully stacked liqueurs.

Ingredients

• 0.5 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa) (bottom layer)
• 0.5 oz Irish cream liqueur (Bailey's) (middle layer)
• 0.5 oz orange liqueur (Grand Marnier) (top layer)

Instructions

1. Pour coffee liqueur into shot glass as the base layer.
2. Slowly pour Irish cream over the back of a bar spoon to create the middle layer.
3. Float the orange liqueur on top using the same spoon technique.

Category: shot | Difficulty: medium | Base spirit: coffee liqueur | ABV: 25.0-30.0%

Origin: Canada