The Irish Car Bomb (also called the Irish Shot, Irish Slammer or Dublin Drop) has been one of the most popular shot recipes for decades. Created in 1979 this drink rose in popularity during the 1980s. This recipe is a type of Boilermaker.
More shot recipes: Green Tea Shot, Mini Beer Shot, Lemon Drop Shot, Kamikaze Shot.
History of an Irish Car Bomb Drink
The Irish Car Bomb was created in 1979 by Charles Burke Cronin Oat, owner of Wilson’s Saloon in Norwich, Connecticut. If you’re curious whether the name “Irish Car Bomb” is an offensive name- yes it is. The name is considered extremely offensive to people who suffered through The Troubles, a thirty year conflict between two communities in Northern Ireland. Better alternative names for this drink include- Irish Shot or Irish Slammer.
Another common question is whether or not this shot is popular in Ireland. It is not. And if you visit Ireland it’s not recommended to try ordering this shot at Irish pubs. This shot was created in the United States and remains a popular drink in the US to this day.
Ingredients in an Irish Shot
- Guinness Choose an Irish dry stout. This dark beer is a must for this recipe.
- Bailey’s Original Irish Cream A sweet liqueur made from premium quality dairy cream, triple-distilled whiskey, and fine spirits.
- Irish Whiskey such as Jameson.
For a drop in shot you will need a stardard size glass such as a pint glass or a highball glass as well as a shot glass.
Instructions
Begin by preparing your shot. In a shot glass add equal parts Irish whiskey and Irish Cream liqueur.
Prepare a glass of beer not more than half full.
Hold the shot over the beer glass (pause for dramatic effect) and drop the shot into the beer glass. The drink should be served immediately after dropping. It’s best to drink quickly (chug!) as Bailey’s has a chance of curdling.
Alternatively- it’s perfectly acceptable to enjoy the two drinks separately. However, purist will say the drink must be served as one because the name “bomb shot” comes from the explosive effect of dropping a shot into a glass of beer (or often Red Bull). And really- what is the point of enjoying them without the visual effects.
Tips for Making
- Best beer brands for this recipe Guinness Stout, Murphy’s Irish Stout, Beamish Irish Stout, Black Root Irish Stout, O’Hara Irish Stout,
- Best Irish Whiskey for this recipe Jameson Irish Whiskey, Knappogue Castle 12 Year Single Malt, Redbreast 12 Year Whiskey, The Sexton Irish Whiskey.
- Best Irish Cream Liqueur for this recipe Bailey’s, Ryan’s, St Brendan’s, Carolans.
- After dropping this shot in, drink immediately for less of a chance for the Bailey’s to curdle.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Irish Shot served in Ireland?
No, The Irish Shot (known widely as the Irish Car Bomb) is not popular in Ireland. It is an American drink, created in the US- sort of like the fortune cookie.
Is it still called “Irish Car Bomb”?
The name Irish Car Bomb is still widely recognized, although it is offensive and should be avoided. Better alternatives are Irish Shot or Dublin Drop.
Why do Irish Car Bombs curdle?
When the acid of beer mixes with the dairy fat of Irish Cream Liqueur it can curdle as a result. The best option is to drink it quickly to minimize the lumps that can occur. For this reason- the Irish Slammer is not for the faint of heart.
More Bomb Shots
- Boilermaker The original drop in shot is made by dropping a shot of whiskey or rye into into a lager beer.
- Jägerbomb Shot Drop a shot of Jägermeister liqueur into Red Bull to make this popular recipe.
- Vegas Bomb Drop a shot of Crown Royal and Peach Schnapps into a glass of Redbull and Cranberry juice for this variation.
- Flaming Dr. Pepper Drop a shot of Amaretto and Overproof rum (often on fire) into a glass of beer for this dangerous shot recipe.
- Cherry Bomb Drop a shot of cherry liqueur into a Redbull with grenadine to create the Cherry Bomb shot.
More Party Recipes
- St. Patrick’s Day Lucky Charms Punch, Mini Beer Shot.
- Cocktails Vieux Carré, Boulevardier, Sidecar, Sazerac.
- Shots Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot, Jello Shots, White Tea Shot.
- Kid-Friendly Harry Potter Butterbeer, Pumpkin Juice.
Irish Car Bomb
Equipment
-
1 beer glass
-
1 shot glass
Ingredients
- ½ ounce Irish Whiskey
- ½ ounce Irish Cream Liqueur
- 8 ounces Guinness Stout or glass half full.
Instructions
-
Begin by preparing your shot. In a shot glass add equal parts Irish whiskey and Irish Cream liqueur.
-
Prepare a glass of beer not more than half full.
-
Hold the shot over the beer glass (pause for dramatic effect) and drop the shot into the beer glass. The drink should be served immediately after dropping. It's best to drink quickly (chug!) as Bailey's has a chance of curdling.
Notes
- Best beer brands for this recipe Guinness Stout, Murphy’s Irish Stout, Beamish Irish Stout, Black Root Irish Stout, O’Hara Irish Stout,
- Best Irish Whiskey for this recipe Jameson Irish Whiskey, Knappogue Castle 12 Year Single Malt, Redbreast 12 Year Whiskey, The Sexton Irish Whiskey.
- Best Irish Cream Liqueur for this recipe Bailey’s, Ryan’s, St Brendan’s, Carolans.
- After dropping this shot in, drink immediately for less of a chance for the Bailey’s to curdle.