Ingredients
- 3/4 Larger Beer
- 2 oz Brandy
Instructions
- Prepare Your Tools and Ingredients: Gather all the necessary ingredients and tools. Place a highball glass and a shot glass next to the jigger.
- Measure the Cognac: Use a jigger to measure 2 oz of cognac. Pour the cognac into the shot glass.
- Measure the Lager: Again, use the jigger to measure 4 oz of lager beer. Pour the beer into the highball glass.
- The Drop: Hold the shot glass above the highball glass, carefully aligning it so it will fall in easily.
- The Chug: Drop the shot glass into the highball glass and then chug the drink as quickly as you can.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Car Bomb shot, commonly known as an Irish Car Bomb, gained traction in American bars, particularly around St. Patrick's Day. While its exact origins are hazy, it emerged as a popular party drink in the 1970s or 80s, combining classic Irish beverages into a rapid shot experience. The "NYC" designation likely points to its widespread popularity in New York City's pub scene.
This is a classic "bomb shot" or "drop shot" style drink, much like a Jägerbomb or a Sake Bomb. Its relatives are other drinks where a small glass is dropped into a larger glass of mixer. What sets the NYC Car Bomb Shot apart is its specific combination of Irish cream, Irish whiskey, and stout, creating a unique creamy, malty, and potent flavor profile.
You typically order this drink in a bustling, casual pub or a lively dive bar, especially during festive occasions. It is a high-volume party drink that you will not find on a craft cocktail menu. Serve it when the crowd is ready for a quick buzz and enjoys a rich, creamy, and somewhat messy drinking experience.
What it tastes like
The NYC Car Bomb Shot offers a surprisingly complex flavor profile for a quick drink. The initial taste is a rich sweetness from the Irish cream, quickly followed by the robust, malty bitterness of the stout and the warming spice of the Irish whiskey. It finishes with a creamy texture, often with hints of coffee and chocolate notes from the Guinness.
This shot packs a significant punch. A typical Car Bomb uses about 1.5 oz of spirits, roughly 0.75 oz of 40% ABV whiskey and 0.75 oz of 17% ABV Irish cream, dropped into a pint of 4.2% ABV Guinness. The spirits alone contribute around 0.42 oz of pure alcohol, which is equivalent to about 2.5 standard beers. The total drink, including the beer, approaches 3 standard drinks.
The technique
To build this, first pour a pint of Guinness stout. In a separate shot glass, layer the Irish cream on the bottom, then carefully float the Irish whiskey on top. While layering is mostly for presentation, the critical step is to drop the shot glass into the stout and consume the entire mixture immediately, before the cream has a chance to curdle.
The one technique tip that matters most is speed. Drink it fast. The acidity of the stout will cause the Irish cream to curdle if you hesitate, resulting in an unappetizing lumpy texture. Once the shot hits the beer, it is a race against time to finish it.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Guinness Stout
- Use
- Fresh, cold Guinness Draught, ideally from a can or tap. The nitrogenated pour is essential for its signature creamy texture.
- Skip
- Any other stout or dark beer. They will not provide the same creamy mouthfeel or iconic flavor that defines the drink.
- Why
- Guinness is the backbone of this drink. Its malty, slightly bitter, and creamy profile is crucial for the overall character and provides balance to the sweetness of the cream and whiskey.
Irish Whiskey
- Use
- Jameson, Bushmills, or any smooth, unpeated Irish whiskey. These options provide the necessary warmth and spirit without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Skip
- Peated Scotch or strong bourbon. Their intense flavors will clash with the cream and stout, creating an imbalanced drink.
- Why
- The Irish whiskey delivers the alcoholic kick and a warming, slightly fruity, and spicy counterpoint to the cream and stout. It is a key component of the "bomb" in the Car Bomb.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Jägerbomb
- The original party starter.
- This common bomb shot involves dropping a shot of Jägermeister into a glass of energy drink. It offers a different flavor profile but follows the same rapid consumption drop shot concept.
Sake Bomb
- Asian pub fun.
- A shot of sake is dropped into a glass of beer, usually a lager. This variation often involves a bit of theatrical flair, such as banging on the table to make the shot fall.
Oatmeal Cookie Shot
- A sweeter, no-drop alternative.
- This layered shot combines Irish cream, butterscotch schnapps, and cinnamon schnapps to mimic the taste of an oatmeal cookie. It shares the Irish cream element but omits the beer drop.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
A different Irish stout like Beamish or Murphy's can work in a pinch, but be prepared for a slightly different texture and flavor profile.
A coffee liqueur such as Kahlua or another cream liqueur can substitute, though the flavor will shift significantly. It will still provide sweetness and body.
A smooth blended Scotch or even a light rum can be used, but expect a different flavor. The goal is to maintain the spirit component.
Any large, sturdy glass that can comfortably hold a full beer and a shot glass dropped into it without overflowing will work. A large tumbler or a beer stein is suitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a NYC Car Bomb Shot?
A NYC Car Bomb Shot contains Irish whiskey, Irish cream, and Guinness stout.
How do you drink a NYC Car Bomb Shot?
You drop a shot glass containing Irish whiskey and Irish cream into a pint of Guinness and then drink the entire mixture quickly.
Why do you have to drink it fast?
The acidity in the Guinness will cause the Irish cream to curdle if you wait too long, making the drink unappetizing.
Is it okay to call it an "Irish Car Bomb"?
The name "Irish Car Bomb" is considered controversial by some due to its association with The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Many prefer "NYC Car Bomb Shot" or simply "Car Bomb".
What does a NYC Car Bomb Shot taste like?
It tastes creamy, malty, sweet, and slightly bitter, with distinct notes of coffee, chocolate, and whiskey spice.
How strong is a NYC Car Bomb Shot?
It is a strong drink. The combined alcohol from the whiskey, cream, and stout makes it roughly equivalent to 2.5 to 3 standard beers.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version?
Not truly, as the core components are alcoholic. You could combine non-alcoholic stout with a non-alcoholic cream liqueur and a whiskey alternative, but it would not replicate the experience.
What is the best way to drop the shot?
Hold the shot glass just above the center of the beer and let it fall straight in. Do not attempt to ease it in, as a clean drop is best.
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