Irish car bomb (cocktail)

Last updated

Irish car bomb
Cocktail
Irish Car Bomb.jpg
An Irish car bomb with Baileys Irish Cream.
Type Beer cocktail
Standard drinkwareA pub glass and a shot glass.
Pint Glass (Pub).svg
Shot Glass (Standard).svg
Commonly used ingredients Guinness stout, Baileys Irish Cream, and Jameson Irish Whiskey
PreparationThe whiskey is floated on top of the Irish cream in a shot glass, and the shot glass is then dropped into the stout

An Irish car bomb, Irish slammer, Irish bomb shot, or Dublin drop [1] is a cocktail, similar to a boilermaker, made by dropping a bomb shot of Irish cream and Irish whiskey into a glass of Irish stout. [2]

Contents

History

The cocktail was invented in the US in 1979 in Wilson's Saloon in Norwich, Connecticut by Charles Burke Cronin Oat. [3] He had originally created a mixed shot drink called a Grandfather combining Baileys Irish Cream and Kahlúa. On 17 March 1977 (Saint Patrick's Day), he added Jameson Irish Whiskey to the drink, calling this drink "the IRA." In 1979, Oat spontaneously dropped this shot into a partially-drunk Guinness, calling the result a Belfast Carbomb or Irish Carbomb. [4]

Name

The "Irish" in the name refers to the drink's Irish ingredients; typically Guinness stout, Baileys Irish Cream, and Jameson Irish Whiskey. [5]

The term "car bomb" combines reference to its "bomb shot" style, as well as the noted car bombings of Northern Ireland's Troubles. [5] [6] [7] The name is considered by many to be offensive, with many bartenders refusing to serve it. [8] [9] [10] Some people, including Irish comedians, have likened it to ordering an "Isis" or "Twin Towers" in an American bar and warned that ordering one is the "quickest way to get thrown out of a pub (or get a black eye) in Ireland". [6] [11]

In 2014, The Junction nightclub in Oxford included the drink in promotional material for St. Patrick's Day. [12] [13] [14] This drew complaints, followed by withdrawal of the promotion and a public apology by the bar manager. [12] [13] [14]

The drink is known by other names, including: "Irish slammer", [15] "Dublin drop", [1] or simply the "Irish bomb"[ citation needed ] to avoid offending patrons.

Preparation

The whiskey is layered over the Irish cream in a shot glass, and the shot glass is then dropped into a glass of stout. The drink should be consumed quickly as the alcohol will cause the cream to curdle within a short time. [7] [16] [17]

While Kahlúa was part of the original recipe, it is often excluded from the drink today. Some refer to the original recipe as a Belfast car bomb. [18] [19] [20] [21]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manhattan (cocktail)</span> Cocktail made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters

A Manhattan is a cocktail made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. While rye is the traditional whiskey of choice, other commonly used whiskies include Canadian whisky, bourbon, blended whiskey, and Tennessee whiskey. The cocktail is usually stirred with ice then strained into a chilled cocktail glass and garnished traditionally with a maraschino cherry. A Manhattan may also be served on the rocks in a lowball glass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old fashioned (cocktail)</span> Cocktail made with whiskey, bitters and sugar

The old fashioned is a cocktail made by muddling sugar with bitters and water, adding whiskey or sometimes brandy, and garnishing with an orange slice or zest and a cocktail cherry. It is traditionally served with ice in an old fashioned glass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boilermaker (beer cocktail)</span> Beer cocktail

A boilermaker is either of two types of beer cocktail. In American terminology, the drink consists of a glass of beer mixed with a shot of whiskey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irish coffee</span> Drink containing coffee, whiskey and whipped cream

Irish coffee is a caffeinated alcoholic drink consisting of Irish whiskey, hot coffee and sugar, which has been stirred and topped with cream. The coffee is drunk through the cream.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cream liqueur</span> Liqueur containing cream

A cream liqueur is a liqueur that includes dairy cream and a generally flavourful liquor among its ingredients.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irish cream</span> Cream liqueur

Irish cream is a cream liqueur based on Irish whiskey, cream and other flavourings. It typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) level of 15 to 20% and is served on its own or in mixed drinks, most commonly mixed with coffee or in shots such as the B-52. Its largest markets are the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liqueur coffee</span> Coffee-based cocktail

A liqueur coffee is a caffeinated alcoholic drink that consists of a shot of liqueur, mixed with coffee. It is typically served in a liqueur glass, often accompanied with cream and sugar. Coffee liqueur beverages are served in different fashions and can be found throughout many countries. One of the most popular liqueur coffee beverage is commonly known as Irish coffee. Liqueur coffee beverages are largely classified as cocktails as well as digestifs which are aimed at aiding the digestive process typically after a meal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black velvet (cocktail)</span> Beer cocktail made from stout beer and white sparkling wine

A black velvet is a beer cocktail made from a combination of stout and white sparkling wine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Guinness</span> Shooter of coffee liqueur topped with Irish cream

A Baby Guinness is a shooter, a style of cocktail, or mixed alcoholic beverage, intended to be consumed in one shot. A Baby Guinness does not contain Guinness stout. Its name is derived from the fact that it is made in such a way as to look like a tiny glass of stout.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shooter (drink)</span> Mixed drink

A shooter, or shot, is a small serving of spirits or a mixed drink, typically consumed quickly, often in a single gulp. It is common to serve a shooter as a side to a larger drink.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B-52 (cocktail)</span> Cocktail of coffee liqueur, Irish cream, triple sec and Sambuca

The B-52 cocktail is a layered shot composed of coffee liqueur (Kahlúa), Irish cream, and Grand Marnier. When prepared properly, the ingredients separate into three distinctly visible layers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beer cocktail</span> Cocktail made by mixing beer with a distilled beverage

A beer cocktail is a cocktail that is made by mixing beer with other ingredients or another style of beer. In this type of cocktail, the primary ingredient is usually beer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander (cocktail)</span> Cocktail of cognac, chocolate liqueur and cream

The Alexander is a cocktail consisting of cognac, crème de cacao, and cream. It dates from the early 20th century. It was originally made with gin, but the modern version is made with brandy and is called a Brandy Alexander.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jägerbomb</span> Bomb mixed drink

A Jägerbomb is a bomb mixed drink made by dropping a shot of Jägermeister into an energy drink, typically Red Bull. Sometimes, this drink is incorrectly identified as a traditional "shot".

An oatmeal cookie is an alcoholic drink named for its taste, which is reportedly similar to an oatmeal cookie. It can be served either layered or mixed, depending on the bartender. Ingredients vary, but a sample recipe is equal parts Irish cream, Goldschläger, and butterscotch schnapps.

A porchcrawler, also known as a porchclimb, is a mixed drink made primarily of beer, a liquor, and a sweetening agent. The most common liquors for the drink are vodka, gin, rum or whiskey. The final product is generally a highly-alcoholic, carbonated punch with a fruity taste and a light pink or yellow color. It is typically served from a large cooler of ice and is especially popular with North American college students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bomb shot</span> Cocktail dropping a small glass of alcoholic drink into a larger one

A bomb shot, depth charge, or drop shot (Canada) is a kind of mixed drink. A drink in a small glass is dropped into a larger glass holding a different drink. The resulting cocktail is typically consumed as quickly as possible ("chugged").

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fireball Cinnamon Whisky</span> Cinnamon-flavoured whisky-based liqueur

Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is a mixture of Canadian whisky, cinnamon flavoring and sweeteners that is produced by the Sazerac Company. Its foundation is Canadian whisky, and the taste otherwise resembles the candy with a similar name, Ferrara Candy Company's "Atomic Fireball" candy. It is bottled at 33% alcohol by volume.

References

  1. 1 2 "Dublin Drop". Drizly.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  2. "Irish Car Bomb drink recipe". Drinknation.com. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
  3. Romero, Gabby (February 20, 2024). "The Story Behind The Most Infamous St. Patrick's Day Cocktail—And Why You Should Never Order It". www.delish.com. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  4. Burke Cronin Oat, Charles. "The CARBOMB: The Creation of An Historic Cocktail". www.barnonedrinks.com. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  5. 1 2 "This St. Patrick's Day Staple Is a Crowd Pleaser". Liquor.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  6. 1 2 Pardilla, Caroline (March 17, 2015). "Why the Irish Car Bomb Is St. Patrick's Day's Most Controversial Drink". Eater. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Why You Probably Shouldn't Ever Order An Irish Car Bomb". HuffPost. March 14, 2013. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  8. Dicke, Scott (March 6, 2007). "History of Irish Car Bombs Isn't Something to Drink To". Daily Nexus . University of California, Santa Barbara. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
  9. Detelj, Tina (July 5, 2010). "Irish group slams cocktail". New Haven, CT: WTNH. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  10. Fisher, Rebecca (April 25, 2022). "Liveline listeners outraged by controversial crossword". Extra.ie. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  11. "Here's Aisling Bea on Americans and their "Irish car bomb" cocktails". entertainment.ie. December 24, 2020. Archived from the original on December 24, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  12. 1 2 "Nightclub scraps Irish Car Bomb shots poster". March 12, 2014. Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  13. 1 2 "Junction's 'Irish Car Bomb' poster inflames local opinion". Oxford Brookes University. March 12, 2014. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  14. 1 2 "The Irish Car Bomb: the controversial drink with a split reputation". the Guardian. March 17, 2016. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  15. Gore, Makinze (March 2, 2021). "Celebrate St. Patrick's Day With Irish Slammers". Delish. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  16. Sennett, Bob. Complete world bartender guide. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2009.
  17. Charming, Cheryl (October 1, 2007). The Everything Bartender's Book: 750 recipes for classic and mixed drinks (2nd ed.). Everything Books. p. 178. ISBN   978-1598695908.
  18. "Carbomb Creation". April 16, 2009. Archived from the original on April 21, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
  19. "The Meaning of an Irish Car Bomb". March 11, 2009. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
  20. "IrishCarBomb.com". Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
  21. "Belfast Carbomb #1". Archived from the original on April 22, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2009.