Irish Car Bomb

What's Behind the Name & Why Not to Ask for an Irish Car Bomb When in Ireland

The Irish Car Bomb drink is one of the most delicious shots you are likely to taste.

Irish Car Bomb is a bomb style shot and consists of a mix of Irish cream and Irish whiskey which is then added to Irish stout. Once the liquor combo makes contact with the ale there is vigorous foaming. The fizzy outburst can be likened to an 'explosion', hence the bomb metaphor. 

The Irish part of the original name is obvious. The car component on the other hand is linked to a tragic part of Northern Ireland's history known as the Troubles.

During the period between 1968 and 1998 Irish nationalist groups (IRA, Catholics) and unionist groups (UVF, Protestant) fought over the matter of Irish independence from the UK. The conflict involved various act of violence. Very often amateur bombs (sometimes called 'coffee jar bombs') were hidden in vehicles as ways to strike against the other side. Many lives were lost and even more scarred beyond repair.

The drink was invented and named in the US, most likely without much consideration for the painful memories the bombings hold for many. Similarly to not asking for a Black and Tan when visiting Ireland you should not ask for an Irish Car Bomb. It would be extremely culturally insensitive.

In fact, even bartenders in the US have stated that they'd rather be asked to mix name variations such as Irish Slammer or simply an Irish Bomb. 

Irish Car Bomb Ingredients & Glasses

• Irish cream. Typically Bailey's but other brands will work just fine.
• Irish whiskey. Typically Jameson, any triple distilled Irish whisky can be used.
• Irish stout. Typically Guinness stout and we suggest that you stick with it over another Irish stout due to its nitro carbonation which lends the shot a smooth mouthfeel. 
• Pint beer glass. Select a shaker pint over nonic. Both because it is sturdy and because it is the classic American glassware for mixing drinks at bars and as we established - this is an American drink.
• Shot glass. Heavy bottomed, sturdy shot glass with standard 1.5 fluid ounces capacity. 

Tips for Mixing the Irish Bomb Shot

• Fill the shaker pint with Guinness to a level that just exceeds the height of the shot glass.
• After you pour the Guinness allow the foaming to subside a bit.
• Fill the shot glass about half way up with Bailey's Irish cream.
• Top with Jameson Irish whiskey (usually a ratio of 1:1 between Irish cream and whiskey is used, but some people prefer to go lighter on the whiskey). Use standard shot size.
• Serve the two glasses side by side, the shot drinker will drop their own shot glass into their beer.

How to Drink Irish Car Bomb

The rule of thumb is to drink it fast - as soon as the Bailey's and Jameson mixture has been dropped into the stout.  

Once you have both glasses in front of you

• clink shot glasses with your drinking partner
• say 'Cheers'
• drop your shot glass inside your shaker pint
• immediately grab the foaming concoction and drink it up (don't sip, it is a shot, but don't chug it either)
• be careful not to tilt the pint glass too much or too abruptly - protect your teeth from the shot glass inside

Does Irish Car Bomb Curdle?

The short answer is yes. 

In fact, the curdling of the Irish cream is the key reason for this beer cocktail to be consumed in the hasty manner of a shot even though the quantity of the concoction by far exceeds that of most other shots.

The cream in Bailey's can and is very likely to curdle once in contact with the Irish stout. Acid and heat both cause cream to curdle - its proteins denature and bind together, separating from the water and forming tiny lump masses. Beer in general and stouts in particular are acidic beverages. If in addition to that the Guinness and the Bailey's were not chilled curdling is guaranteed.  

So do not waste time - bottoms up!

Other Recipes You Might Like

Beef in Guinness | Irish Whiskey  Salmon | Guinness Lamb Stew | Half and Half
Irish Stout & Bailey's Ice Cream Float | Double Stout Ice Cream