Baby Guinness Shot Recipe
This Baby Guinness Shot is a incredibly popular shot here in Ireland. Despite the name, it actually doesn’t contain any Guinness. It is a shot with coffee liqueur layered with Irish cream liqueur on top to look like a tiny pint of Guinness. Similarly to most shots, it’s supposed to be drank all in one go. It is sweet yet has bitter notes from the coffee liqueur to help balance it out. It’s especially popular during the Christmas period due to the creaminess. This shot is also a bit lighter in alcohol than a typical spirit shot as both liqueurs only contain around 20% alcohol compared to spirits at 40%.
“The famous Baby Guinness shot is believed to have originated in Dublin during the 1980s and early 1990s. Its roots can be traced back to a bar (now closed) called the “Waxies Dargle,” located next to the Rotunda Maternity Hospital. The bar brewed its own Irish coffee liqueur and it became a tradition to offer expectant and new mothers and fathers a complimentary Baby Guinness shot with coffee liqueur and Baileys alongside a pint of real Guinness, and this has continued in Irish pubs.”
–Wikipedia
So how do I make this Baby Guinness from scratch?
To begin making this drink, we start with a shot glass.
Start by filling the shot glass about 2/3 with coffee liqueur. Place a teaspoon upside down, with the bottom side facing up into the shot glass at a diagonal angle. It should barely touch the coffee liqueur. Slowly pour Irish cream liqueur over the top of the spoon, allowing it to coat the back of the spoon as it pours into the shot until the shot glass is full.
Leave for 1 minute for the shot to settle. Drink in one go.
What kind of coffee liqueur should I use for Baby Guinness?
The optimum coffee liqueur to pick for this drink is Tia Maria. However, when this is not available Kahlua is often used. You can also use Jameson Cold Brew or Garden County Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur.
What about Irish Cream Liqueur, what should I use?
Traditionally, Baileys is chosen for the top layer of this shot. However, you can also use Coole Swan, Five Farms or Micil Irish Cream. Most supermarkets such as Lidl or Aldi also stock Irish cream liqueurs which can be used.
What about Sheridan’s coffee layered liqueur?
Sheridan’s coffee layered liqueur is a product where two bottles are sold stuck together that creates a layered shot drink. One is a coffee flavoured liqueur while the other is white liqueur. It is supposed to be poured together to create a beautiful layered shot or drink in one pour. This product is a great option for those who don’t want to buy two bottles of different liqueurs or doesn’t want to mess about with the pouring.
Frequently Asked Questions
By carefully and slowly pouring the Irish cream liqueur over the back of a spoon onto the shot helps layer it and prevent it from mixing too much. Using a spout for the Irish cream liqueur bottle also helps a little with the pouring if possible.
Not at all. It is creamy like a pint of Guinness but the flavour largely comes from the coffee liqueur which is a little bitter and is mellowed out by the creamy whiskey flavour of the Irish cream liqueur.
Yes! Make sure to choose Tia Maria as the base (according to its website, Tia Maria cold brew liqueur is suitable for vegans) and choose vegan Baileys Almonde.
For more Drink Recipes, you can check out my Drinks Category, here.
Baby Guinness Shot
Equipment
- 1 shot glass
- 1 teaspoon
Ingredients
- Coffee Liqueur like Kahlua or Tia Maria
- Irish Cream Liqueur like Baileys
Instructions
- Get a shot glass and fill about 2/3 with coffee liqueur.
- Place a teaspoon upside down, with the bottom side facing up into the shot glass at a diagonal angle. It should barely touch the coffee liqueur.
- Slowly pour Irish cream liqueur over the top of the spoon, allowing it to coat the back of the spoon as it pours into the shot until the shot glass is full.
- Leave for 1 minute for the shot to settle.
- Drink in one go.
Would you like to share your thoughts?