Ingredients
- 1 oz Herbal Liqueur
- .5 oz Peppermint Schnapps
- .5 oz Cinnamon Schnapps
- .5 oz Coconut Rum
Instructions
Layer the shot:
- Pour the herbal liqueur (Jagermeister) into a triple shot glass.
Add layers:
- Next, add peppermint schnapps, followed by cinnamon schnapps, and finish with coconut rum.
Serve:
- Enjoy the shot right away for the best flavor experience.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
No established origin for a cocktail specifically named Motor Oil. It's likely a regional dive bar creation, if it exists at all, or a generic term for a particularly dark or potent concoction dreamed up on the spot.
Without a standard recipe, it's tough to place it within a cocktail family. It doesn't appear in classic texts or modern bartender guides as a distinct drink. There's no "relative" to point to.
You wouldn't order this off a standard menu at a reputable bar. If you hear someone ask for a Motor Oil, they're probably referencing an inside joke or a house special at a very specific kind of establishment.
What it tastes like
Given there's no standard recipe, describing the taste of a Motor Oil is a shot in the dark. It would entirely depend on whatever ingredients someone decided to throw into it. Could be anything from sweet and sticky to bitter and boozy, or just plain weird.
ABV is a complete mystery without a recipe. It could be a mild mixer or a straight-up boozy slug designed to knock you sideways. Assume it's stronger than a standard beer, just to be safe, if someone's actually calling it Motor Oil.
The technique
Without a recipe, there are no specific instructions for building a Motor Oil. If you're improvising one, you're on your own for method, glassware, and timing. Just make sure whatever you create is at least somewhat drinkable.
The only technique tip that matters here is: know what you're making. Don't just pour dark liquids together and call it a day unless you're aiming for a surprise, good or bad.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
No Recipe
- Use
- N/A
- Skip
- N/A
- Why
- No standard ingredients to highlight without a recipe to follow.
Unknown Components
- Use
- N/A
- Skip
- N/A
- Why
- Cannot provide insight into load-bearing ingredients for a non-existent drink.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
No Base Drink
- No common variations
- Without a core Motor Oil recipe, there are no established variations to discuss. Any 'variation' would just be a different drink entirely.
Improvised Mix
- Every one is a variation
- If someone makes a 'Motor Oil,' any subsequent attempt, even by the same person, is essentially a variation on their own improvised theme.
Dive Bar Special
- Local interpretations only
- Any drink called 'Motor Oil' is likely a house special at a specific bar, meaning its 'variations' are just other local, unnamed concoctions.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
No specific ingredients to substitute. You're free to invent your own.
Pick a dark one. That's about as close as you'll get to the 'Motor Oil' concept without a recipe.
Again, if you're making this up, use whatever dark, thick mixer you think fits the name.
Any small glass will do. A rocks glass or a small tumbler would work for an improvised 'Motor Oil.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Motor Oil?
There are no standard ingredients. It's not a recognized cocktail with a fixed recipe. It could be anything.
Is the Motor Oil a real drink?
Not in the classic cocktail canon. It's likely a local, improvised concoction, or a generic term for something dark and strong.
Why is it called Motor Oil?
Presumably due to its dark color or a perceived thick, potent quality. It's a name that implies a certain rough edge.
Can I invent my own Motor Oil recipe?
Absolutely. That's probably how any 'Motor Oil' recipes out there started. Just make sure it's safe and at least somewhat palatable.
What kind of glass would a Motor Oil go in?
Given the name, probably a shot glass or a simple rocks glass. Nothing fancy or delicate would fit the vibe.
Is it strong?
If someone calls it Motor Oil, it's probably meant to be. Assume a higher ABV if you're making or ordering one that someone else invented.
Is it sweet or bitter?
Entirely depends on the recipe. The name doesn't give much away about the flavor profile beyond potentially being dark and possibly viscous.
Where can I find a recipe for Motor Oil?
You might find regional or personal recipes online, but there's no single, widely accepted formula for this drink. Good luck with the search.
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