By Katherine
This matches my complexion
Sometimes there are signs in life. First we say this lovely layered drink over at Savoring Every Bite. Then we saw this B-52 recipe below in our new drink book, The Ultimate Cocktail Book. We figured it was about time we tried our hand at layering a shot. Well, I did anyway. By the time, Greg arrived home, I had ruined two drinks. The only clean, clear glass left was this free plastic shot glass from Woodford Reserve. (Thankfully, the Grand Marnier is the last layer, and I didn’t waste any of that in my failed attempts.) His hand was steadier than mine. The trick is a very slow pour when layering. Greg does have a slow hand and an easy touch.
B-52
- 1/2 measure Kahlua* (see note below)
- 1/2 measure of Bailey’s Irish Cream*
- 1/2 measure Grand Marnier
Pour the Kahlua in the bottom of a tall shot glass. Slowly pour in the Bailey’s using the back of the spoon. Pour the Grand Marnier over the top of the Bailey’s using the same method.
Note: We use Kamora instead of Kahlua and Saint Brendan’s Irish cream. (Yes, both are cheaper, but we like them better too.)
Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide 
LOL! I love it! I started singing the song in my hand before I even saw that you had posted the video…and you didn’t disappoint! 🙂
It’s not an 80s hair band, but close enough right?
Very cool indeed!
Now, I have a question, being a virgin that I am with layered drinks – when you take a sip, the layers mingle into each other a little bit, I suppose. Do you taste is as a “single” – sort of unique – drink from the get to, or is it just a clear mixture of the three components, that get less and less obvious as the drink gets to an end?
We used to serve the drink in special extra tall ‘shooter’ glasses and would sip the alcohol one layer at a time … starting with the less dense/less intense one on top and the most dense/most intense on the bottom. So, we’d sip the Grand Marnier, then the Bailey’s and finally the Kahlua.
http://www.weddingfavours.ca/p/3877/Personalized+Shooter+Glass.html
We did it as a shot so the flavors mingled. But having done it that way, I like Anne’s approach better.
Takes me back to the 80’s when shooters were in fashion . I actually gifted my bf and her hubby a set of shooter glasses and a bottle of each of the 3 liquors to make B-52s for one of their anniversaries so we could celebrate with my favourite drink. 🙂
I’m reading this in the morning in Singapore. Is it too early to start drinking ?? 🙂
Of course not, you’re on Central Standard Time when you read this blog!
Okay, I will take the two ruined glasses of this drink just to try them. Looks good! 🙂
Thanks, Ray!
Did you just break out the Pointer Sisters on me?! Well let me take this time out to cordially invite you to my family gatherings since you are expert alcohol specialist, you talk southern slang, AND (not limited to) you enjoy old 60’s music. There will be homemade Mac & Cheese there as well LMAO.
You know, I thought it might be you and Kristy that would get the biggest kick out of that song.
Smooth! Love the music to accompany the act of layering the liquor.
or after you drink it!
Looks like fun with some company to watch and partake.
Thanks, Ruth.
Have you ever had a Baby Guinness? It’s like hat, but without the GM. You float the Bailey’s on the Kahula and it looks like a mini Guinness… that discovery may have gotten us in trouble in Dublin. 😉
Did you try a Black and Tan (Bass on the bottom and Guiness on top) while you were there? Or the version with Harp beer on the bottom and Guiness on top? Supposed to be quite tasty. 🙂
Greg loves black and tans and black and blondes. I’m not sure we’ve had a Baby Guinness. I’m not a beer drinker, so this is up my alley.
I am a lightweight when it comes to drinking, the cliche of the ‘cheap drunk’ as one beer usually makes me sleepy which is why I drink alcohol with food. I could see drinking one of these Guiness based drinks AS a meal however. They’re that filling. 🙂
However, in my ‘beer research’ days, I started with the lightweight, lady’s drink, the lemon shandy (carbonated lemonade and lager of choice is one version). Recently, I tried Magner’s Irish hard cider. Yummy for a non-beer drinker.
Sounds wonderful and looks great too. Hard to have a steady or slow hand after one of these!
On matters that require precision, Greg often comes to my rescue!
Hi Katherine – I used to work in a bar and for times when a slow pour was critical to the success of a drink you may find using a teaspoon helpful. Turn it upside down and position it against the edge of the glass and slowly pour the liquid over the back of the spoon. You should have no problems creating layers then! I love layered drinks – so fun looking! 🙂
Thanks, Charles. I did try a regular spoon, but not a teaspoon. I guess I just need to practice.
WOW!
Ha, thanks Nia.
This layered cocktail looks very impressive and I am sure it tastes great. I hope you have finished the “ruined” glasses too! The Ultimate Cocktail Book sounds like a nice item to add to my wishlist. Thanks for the tip.
I used the contents of the blended glass and some coffee and vodka to make coffee martinis. I couldn’t let it go to waste.
Hmm, not sure I would have the patience to pour too many of these if there weren’t working out too well – kudos for your persistence.
Have a super day.
🙂 Mandy
Luckily, Greg got home after I’d wrecked the second one. I can be pretty stubborn and hate to admit defeat.
This looks so beautiful. Nice one Greg! and Katherine, now you have the perfect excuse to practise more 😉
Exactly, Mel!
I used to make these (or similar) as a bartender in my college years!!!! Delicious and beautiful…
I think I’m the only person who didn’t bartend in college. It probably would’ve helped on this front.
Ok, so I’m curious Katherine, which part of the drink matches your complexion? 🙂 we’ve got several layers going on in this beauty… although of Irish-(French) descent, I apparently did not inherit the drinking gene but love learning about these fun mixes and serving them up for others. (Your layers worked out beautifully by the by – I can so relate to the trial and error thing and running out of dishes and utensils and *patience* !! LOL)
Hmm, well Greg’s predominantly of Italian descent. There’s some German in there, but I think it’s dormant. So the bottom two are him. And the top would be me. So addicted to the fake tan.
This sounds delicious and I could see myself serving guests one of these. On the other hand, i despised them when I was behind the bar. It never failed that the only time anyone ordered something similar was when the bar was packed to the rafters with thirsty people. And then, of course, they ordered 6 of ’em!
Someone said the same thing when Greg posted his mojito.
I love the captions to your photos.
Ha, normally they’re all Greg. I wrote this one and being a guy he said something like, complexion?
I feel like a just attended a class at bar tending school. Will have to share with my daughter and son-in-law. I think I’ve memorized it…her initial on the bottom, B-omb in the middle and my initial on the top. Oh yes, and a very “slow hand”.
Ha, that must’ve been where I went wrong, skipping the initial.
Simply love layered shots! My friend made layered shots for her business school “how-to” presentation!
Best business school presentation EVER!
Great drink. Love the Pointer Sisters video!!
They are an American treasure. Hmm, having said that they’re probably actually Canadian.
Wow! Great looking shot. I had a flu shot at the doctor on Monday. I’d have preferred to have this shot.
Ugh, it is that time of year again!
Fantastic combination of flavors!! You know I’ll be testing this out this weekend!! Thanks for the mention! I’ve messed up quite a few layered drinks in the past; kinda like the batch of almost burnt cookies, I just keep it aside for when no one’s around! Since I’m a sipper with my drinks, I find that the layers blend beautifully; which is why the liquor combinations should definitely compliment each other.
You’re quite welcome. Thanks for the inspiration. This was quite a nice combo. I think the last layered shot I had was at my bachelorette party.
Eesh, I can imagine the layering taking a lot of patience. Not sure if I’d have a steady enough hand either! Looks great. One of these and I’m sure I’d be good for the night. But then again, maybe not, my mom does say I have a wooden leg….HA!
By the time we made that one it was so tiny, because I’d messed up twice, even you could have had two!
Beautiful..It looks like stained glass!
DId you make Greg blush as the Pointer Sisters sung his praises? 😳
Very little makes him blush. Also, he just loves the Pointer Sisters, Ha, kidding!
Hah! I’m sure Greg is happy you shared that with everyone. 😉 I don’t think I’ve had a layered shot since college… it does sound good, though.
Nah, he’s cool. He didn’t really like this picture, but is a good sport: https://rufusguide.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/my-fantastic-garlic-braiding-skills/
It looks very fancy!
Love the challenge of a layered cocktail!
This may be tough to pour, but I bet it’s worth it.
I have had this cocktail only once and unfortunately I didn’t have just one. Goes down nice but has a powerful punch.
That is just plain sexy!
This sounds tasty and is stunning to boot! I have a feeling I’d be terrible at pouring a layered shot…
Gosh, these take me back to a holiday in Grease where we convinced the barman to make then for use, I don’t think I have had one since!
There is nothing wrong with taking a shot from a plastic shot glass…it’s just like revisiting the college years. 🙂
Solid looking drink.
This really looks good but so do all your alcohol concoctions. I could get used to some of them easily.
How funny is the slow hand track!! Just perfect for Greg’s slow hand!! I have never heard of a layered drink..this is awesome….!!!
Layered drinks are always so impressive looking!