The Boilermaker is the original drop-in shot (or bomb shot). This straightforward recipe drops a shot of whiskey (usually bourbon or rye) into a glass of beer. It was extremely popular among 1800s factory workers—even those who built boilers for locomotive engines. These blue-collar workers ordered this drink at the end of a long shift. This is where the drink got its name.
If you order a Boilermaker, the bartender typically will serve you both drinks separately, leaving it up to you whether to drop the shot into your beer. However you choose to enjoy it, a beer served with a shot of liquor is considered a Boilermaker.
More shot recipes: Green Tea Shot, Lemon Drop Shot, Kamikaze, White Tea Shot, Mexican Candy Shot, Mini Beer Shot, Jello Shots.
Ingredients
- Beer – Choose a basic lager beer (it’s not intended to be fancy).
- Whiskey – Usually bourbon or rye whiskey are used for this recipe.
You will need a standard size glass (a highball glass or a beer mug works fine) along with a shot glass to create this recipe.
Instructions
Simply by serving a cold glass of beer with a pairing of whiskey, you have technically created a Boilermaker. The two drinks can be enjoyed separately. That said, the most exciting way to enjoy a Boilermaker is how they serve it in London—by dropping the shot into the beer.
Hold the shot above the glass of beer and gently drop it into the beer. The sound of a shot glass clinking and the splash of beer make this method a crowd-pleaser.
Once the shot is in the glass, quickly drink the entire shot along with the beer as one.
Different Methods for Drinking
Alternatively, you may take a sip of the shot and a gulp of beer separately. Many high-end cocktail bars serve the shot and beer separately, although purists would insist you drop the shot into the beer before drinking.
If you don’t enjoy the experience of drinking a beer with a shot glass inside it, you can pour the shot into the beer. You will miss the nice clink of the glasses, but by all accounts this is a less messy way to enjoy the drink.
Tips for Making
- We recommend bourbon or rye, but you can also use Irish whiskey (such as Jameson) or any whiskey you have on hand.
- There are two ways to enjoy this shot. This first is to slam the shot and then chug the beer. The second (and most popular) way is to drop the shot into the beer and chug the whole beverage.
More Bomb Shots
- Irish Shot – The Irish version of a Boilermaker uses Guinness Stout, Irish Whiskey and Irish Cream Liqueur.
- 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 Red Bull 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 Red Bull with grenadine to create the Cherry Bomb shot.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s in a Boilermaker?
The original Boilermaker recipe is lager beer with a shot of bourbon or rye whiskey dropped into it. There are many variations that are also known as bomb shots or drop-in shots.
Why is it called a Boilermaker?
The Boilermaker drink was extremely popular among 1800s factory workers—even those who built boilers for locomotive engines. These blue-collar workers ordered this drink at the end of a long shift. This is where the drink got its name.
How do you drink a Boilermaker?
There are two ways to enjoy this shot. This first is to slam the shot and then chug the beer. The second (and most popular) way is to drop the shot into the beer and chug the whole beverage.
More Recipes
- Cocktail Recipes – Old Fashioned, Sazerac, Boulevardier
- Dinner Recipes – 60+ Easy Dinner Recipes
- Appetizer Recipes – 30+ Finger Foods
- More Drink Recipes (no alcohol) – Butterbeer, Pumpkin Juice, Agua Fresca.
Boilermaker
Equipment
-
1 pint glass
-
1 shot glass
Ingredients
- 1 ounce whiskey
- 8 ounces beer
Instructions
-
Simply by serving a cold glass of beer with a pairing of whiskey, you have technically created a Boilermaker. The two drinks can be enjoyed separately. That said, the most exciting way to enjoy a Boilermaker is how they serve it in London—by dropping the shot into the beer.
-
Hold the shot above the glass of beer and gently drop it into the beer. The sound of a shot glass clinking and the splash of beer make this method a crowd-pleaser.
-
Once the shot is in the glass, quickly drink the entire shot along with the beer as one.
Notes
- We recommend bourbon or rye, but you can also use Irish whiskey (such as Jameson) or any whiskey you have on hand.
- There are two ways to enjoy this shot. This first is to slam the shot and then chug the beer. The second (and most popular) way is to drop the shot into the beer and chug the whole beverage.