Easy Layered Shot Recipes, A-E
No Stress Recipes Help Perfect the Art of Layering
From the Adios to the ET, these recipes are quick, with no more than three layers, and are a great way to learn layering techniques.
The best thing about making shots to practice the art of layering is that the quantity of liqueur needed is small. The first attempts may result in less than beautiful presentation, but there’s not much waste if you choose to dump it out and start over. And of course, although the drink may not look as intended, it will probably taste just fine, so you can use yourself as a guinea pig.
There are only a few tips to keep in mind. First, remember to layer the ingredients in the order listed to make sure that they float instead of mixing. Make sure the pour is slow and steady, almost dribbling the liqueur into the glass.
Unless the recipe specifies otherwise, use equal, or roughly equal, amounts of each liqueur listed. And it will probably be easier to work with an oversized shot or pony glass, a cordial glass or a pousse cafe glass than it is to use a standard shot glass.
Shots:
- Adios – Coffee liqueur and tequila. There are other names for this one, but most of them are unprintable.
- After Five – Coffee liqueur, peppermint schnapps, and Irish cream
- B52 – This is probably one of the best known shots, but it’s hard to find a bar that still prepares it as a layered drink. This is unfortunate, because the flavors are much more interesting layered than mixed. Layer coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua), Irish cream, and triple sec. If you’re very adventurous, and your insurance is paid up, light the top layer and serve it flaming*.
- Bazooka Joe – Parfait Amour, creme de banana, Bailey’s Irish Cream
- Beam Me Up, Scottie – Coffee Liqueur, banana liqueur, Irish cream
- Black Dragon – Mint Liqueur, Kahlua, and Scotch
- Bumble Bee – Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua, and Sambuca
- Buttery Nipple – Also sometimes called a Butter Baby, or a Butterball. Layer butterscotch schnapps and Irish cream.
- Buttery Nipple with an Attitude – Butterscotch schnapps, Irish cream, and a dash of peppermint schnapps.
- Chocolate Covered Cherry – Grenadine, coffee liqueur, Irish cream
- Christmas Tree – Melon liqueur and raspberry liqueur
- Christmas Tree #2 – Creme de menthe, grenadine, and Irish cream
- Cobra – Irish cream, Jagermeister, and Rumplemintz
- Concord – Kahlua, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and Bacardi 151. This is another shot that can be served flaming.
- Cyrano – Bailey’s Irish Cream, Grand Marnier, and a dash of Chambord
- DC-3 – Sambuca, Irish cream, and creme de cacao
- Dirty Oatmeal – Jagermeister and Bailey’s Irish Cream
- Extraterrestrial – Also called the E.T. Melon liqueur, Irish cream, and vodka. As an option, add a small amount of Bacardi 151 as a final layer, light, and serve as a flaming drink.
* It probably goes without saying, but be extremely careful when serving flaming shots. Always extinguish the flame before drinking!
Learn more about the fine art of layering here.
