B-52

Name: B-52
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 15 ml / 0.5 oz Coffee Liqueur; 15 ml / 0.5 oz Irish Cream Liqueur; 15 ml / 0.5 oz Orange Liqueur

Ingredients Instructions

The B-52 is a popular pousse-café style shot, celebrated for its impressive tri-colored appearance. It delivers a smooth, sweet flavor profile, starting with the bright citrus notes of orange liqueur, followed by the creamy richness of Irish cream, and finishing with the deep, roasted flavor of coffee liqueur. The experience is a swift journey through distinct but complementary tastes. It is typically consumed quickly as a single shot.

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The B-52 is primarily classified as a layered shot, belonging to the pousse-café family of drinks where ingredients are layered by density. It's also considered an after-dinner drink or digestif due to its sweet, dessert-like qualities. It is composed entirely of liqueurs.

Serving

This is a small shot served neat at room temperature in a standard shot glass. Despite its size, it carries a moderate alcohol content due to being made entirely of liqueurs.

Serving size

45 ml / 1.5 oz

Alcohol content

Approximately 26-29% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Room temperature

Glass type

Shot glass

Glass treatment

None

Backstory

The B-52 is said to have been created in 1977 by Peter Fich, a head bartender at the Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada. He was known for naming his creations after his favorite bands, albums, and in this case, a famous aircraft. The drink's name is a tribute to the United States B-52 Stratofortress long-range bomber, though the connection beyond the name is purely speculative.

Origin

The drink originated in Banff, Alberta, Canada, around 1977. It quickly gained popularity throughout the late 1970s and 1980s as a staple party shot.

B-52

The drink is almost universally known as the B-52 or B52, a direct reference to the American bomber jet. The name "Bifi" is a much less common alternative name, its origin being less clear.

Original name

B-52

Alternative names

B52
Bifi

Characteristics overview

The B-52 presents a visually appealing layered appearance with a smooth, creamy texture. Its flavor is a sweet combination of coffee, cream, and orange, with a rich aroma to match.

Flavor

Sweet, Coffee, Orange, Creamy, Rich, Smooth

Aroma

Coffee, Orange zest, Sweet cream

Taste balance

Sweet

Aftertaste

Sweet, Lingering coffee and orange

Fizziness

None, Still

Color appearance

Clearly layered, Opaque, Dark brown bottom, Creamy white middle, Amber top

Texture

Smooth, Viscous, Creamy, Syrupy

Seasonality

Warming, All-season, Indoor

Flavor intensity & Experience

The B-52 is intensely sweet and creamy, with a noticeable alcohol presence. Its flavor profile is dominated by fruitiness from the orange liqueur and a slight bitterness from the coffee base, with zero saltiness, sourness, or carbonation.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

This shot requires three specific liqueurs of decreasing density to create its signature layers. You will need a coffee liqueur, an Irish cream liqueur, and an orange liqueur in equal parts.

Coffee Liqueur15 ml / 0.5 oz
Use a dense coffee liqueur like Kahlúa or Tia Maria for the bottom layer.
Irish Cream Liqueur15 ml / 0.5 oz
Use a classic Irish Cream like Baileys for the middle layer. It should be less dense than the coffee liqueur.
Orange Liqueur15 ml / 0.5 oz
Use a high-quality, less dense orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau for the top layer. Grand Marnier is traditional.

Ice type

None

Mixing equipments

The only essential piece of equipment is a bar spoon or a similar small spoon. It is used to pour the liqueurs slowly and create the distinct layers.

Bar spoon for layering

Instructions

The preparation involves carefully layering three liqueurs in order of density, from heaviest to lightest, using the back of a spoon to ensure clean separation.

1. Pour the coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa) directly into the bottom of a shot glass.

2. Take a bar spoon, turn it upside down, and place the tip just above the surface of the coffee liqueur, against the inside of the glass.

3. Very slowly, pour the Irish cream liqueur (e.g., Baileys) over the back of the spoon, allowing it to gently flow onto the first layer without mixing.

4. Repeat the process for the final layer, slowly pouring the orange liqueur (e.g., Grand Marnier) over the back of the spoon on top of the Irish cream.

5. Serve immediately, to be drunk as a single shot.

Garnishing

The classic B-52 is served without a garnish, as its layered appearance is the main visual element. Some variations involve igniting the top layer, but this is not standard.

None for the classic version

Dietary Information

This shot contains alcohol, caffeine, and dairy, making it unsuitable for those with respective restrictions, as well as vegans. It may also contain soy and gluten depending on the specific brands of liqueurs used.

✓ Contains alcohol

✕ Caffeine-free

✕ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✕ Soy-free

✓ Nut-free

✕ Gluten-free

✕ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

Due to its composition of three sweet liqueurs, the B-52 is high in calories, carbohydrates, and sugar for its small serving size.

Calories

Approximately 165 kcal / 690 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Approximately 17 g

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Approximately 17 g

Sugar level

Occasions

The B-52 is an ideal choice for parties and celebrations, often enjoyed as a fun, communal experience. Its sweet, dessert-like character also makes it a perfect after-dinner digestif.

Party
Celebration
After-dinner
Night out

Pairing suggestions

The B-52 works best as a liquid dessert. It pairs excellently with rich, sweet foods like chocolate cake or cheesecake, or can be enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee to complement its own coffee notes.

Chocolate desserts
Coffee or espresso
As a standalone dessert course
Cheesecake

The B-52: A High-Flying Layered Shot

The B-52 is more than just a shot; it's a small piece of bartending artistry. Its appeal lies in its distinct three-layer presentation, which requires a steady hand and an understanding of liquid densities to achieve. The flavor is a delightful progression from citrusy orange to creamy vanilla and finally to rich coffee, making it a popular choice for a sweet after-dinner treat or a celebratory party starter. Though simple in its ingredient list, its execution is what makes it a classic and memorable drink.

Variations

Flaming B-52

A small amount of high-proof rum (like Bacardi 151, now discontinued, or another overproof rum) is layered on top and carefully set on fire before consumption. The flame must be extinguished before drinking.