Copper Camel Shot

The Copper Camel Shot is a smooth, creamy dessert shot. It hits with sweet butterscotch up front, followed by the familiar warmth of Irish cream. This is a party starter, often ordered by those who enjoy a sweet treat or want something less aggressive than a straight spirit shot. Think of it as a boozy candy in a glass, a cousin to the Buttery Nipple or the Cock Sucking Cowboy.

Copper Camel Shot

4.52 from 25 votes

Calories: 152kcal

Prep Time: 2

Total Time: 2

The Copper Camel Shot is a smooth and creamy delight that combines the rich flavors of Irish cream with the sweetness of butterscotch schnapps. This shot is perfect for those who enjoy a sweet and indulgent treat. If you like the Buttery Nipple or the Cock Sucking Cowboy, you’ll love this shot!

Ingredients

▢ 1 oz Irish Cream
▢ 1/2 oz Butterscotch Schnapps

Instructions

Prepare the Shot:

▢
Add 1 oz of Irish cream to a shot glass.
▢
Add 0.5 oz of butterscotch schnapps on top of the Irish cream.

Serve:

▢
Serve immediately and enjoy your smooth and creamy Copper Camel Shot.

Notes

For the best flavor, use high-quality Irish cream and butterscotch schnapps. The Copper Camel Shot is perfect for those who enjoy sweet, creamy drinks. This shot is ideal for parties, gatherings, or any occasion where you want to serve a delicious and easy-to-make drink. You can also experiment with layering the ingredients for a visually appealing presentation.

The Copper Camel Shot is a delightful and indulgent drink that’s perfect for any occasion. Its combination of Irish cream and butterscotch schnapps creates a unique and satisfying shot experience. Whether you're hosting a party or just want to enjoy a special treat, this shot is a fantastic choice.

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Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 152kcal (8%)Carbohydrates: 13g (4%)Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)Cholesterol: 109mg (36%)Sugar: 12g (13%)

Beverage, Cocktail, Shot

Beverage, Cocktail, Drinks

Beverage Recipe, Cocktail Recipe, Drink Recipe

Where it came from

The Copper Camel Shot’s exact origin is murky, like most modern shot recipes. It likely emerged from the late 20th century bar scene, a time when sweet, layered shots became popular. No specific bartender or location lays claim to its creation. It is a product of common bar ingredients finding a harmonious pairing.

This shot belongs to the dessert or candy shot family, similar to the Buttery Nipple or the Slippery Nipple. What sets the Copper Camel Shot apart is the specific combination of butterscotch schnapps and Irish cream, offering a distinct creamy caramel profile that other shots might miss.

You are most likely to encounter a Copper Camel Shot in a high volume bar, a college town pub, or a venue where sweet, fun shots are the order of the day. It is a crowd pleaser, not something you would typically find on a craft cocktail menu.

What it tastes like

The Copper Camel Shot is a sweet, creamy shot through and through. The butterscotch schnapps delivers a strong caramel and vanilla candy flavor right from the start. This quickly blends into the rich, dairy notes of Irish cream, which also brings a subtle hint of whiskey and coffee on the finish. It is essentially a liquid butterscotch candy with a boozy kick.

With 1 oz of 17% ABV Irish cream and 0.5 oz of 15% ABV butterscotch schnapps, this 1.5 oz shot comes in around 16% ABV. That makes it more potent than most beers, which hover around 5% ABV. Compared to a standard cocktail, which might be 20 to 25% ABV, it is less boozy by volume, but still packs a punch for a small serving. It is a smooth sipper that can catch up to you quickly.

The technique

Building the Copper Camel Shot is straightforward. Start with a chilled shot glass. Pour in the Irish cream first. Then, carefully layer the butterscotch schnapps on top. The goal is two distinct layers for visual appeal. No shaking or stirring required here, just a steady hand and a good pour.

The single most important technique here is the careful layering of the schnapps. Use the back of a bar spoon, held just above the Irish cream, to gently float the butterscotch schnapps. This prevents the two liquids from mixing immediately, preserving the distinct layers. Skip this step, and you will end up with a muddy, uniformly colored shot that loses some of its visual appeal and initial flavor separation.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Irish Cream

Use: Look for a quality Irish cream liqueur like Baileys, Kerrygold, or Carolans. These typically sit around 17% ABV and provide the necessary creamy texture and whiskey backbone.
Skip: Do not substitute with coffee liqueur alone, as it lacks the dairy and distinct Irish whiskey notes. Plain heavy cream will give you texture but none of the boozy flavor profile.
Why: Irish cream is crucial for the drink’s creamy mouthfeel and its signature blend of dairy, whiskey, and subtle coffee or chocolate notes. It forms the foundation of this dessert shot.

Butterscotch Schnapps

Use: Brands like DeKuyper or Bols butterscotch schnapps are standard choices. They are usually around 15% ABV and deliver that unmistakable sweet, buttery, caramel flavor.
Skip: Avoid using plain butterscotch syrup or caramel sauce unless you are making a non-alcoholic version. These lack the alcohol content and can be too thick or thin, altering the drink’s texture and potency.
Why: This ingredient provides the dominant sweet, candy-like butterscotch flavor that gives the Copper Camel Shot its distinctive profile. It is the key to its indulgent taste.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Buttery Nipple

A classic sweet shot with a coffee kick.: This variation swaps the Irish cream for Kahlua in the bottom layer, topped with butterscotch schnapps and a float of Irish cream. It adds a deeper coffee note.

Slippery Nipple

An anise and cream combo.: This shot is built with Sambuca as the base, topped with Irish cream. It offers a distinct licorice flavor alongside the creaminess, a different beast entirely.

Cock Sucking Cowboy

Similar profile, different name.: Often identical to the Buttery Nipple, combining Kahlua, Irish cream, and butterscotch schnapps. The name alone makes it a conversation starter.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Irish Cream?

You can try a mix of coffee liqueur and a splash of heavy cream for a similar creamy, boozy effect, but the flavor will be different. Or just use coffee liqueur for a less creamy, darker shot.

No Butterscotch Schnapps?

A caramel liqueur or a blend of caramel syrup with a neutral spirit like vodka could work in a pinch. The sweetness and texture might vary.

No shot glass?

A small cordial glass, a pony glass, or even a very small rocks glass will serve the purpose. Just make sure it is clean and chilled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a Copper Camel Shot?

A Copper Camel Shot contains 1 oz of Irish cream and 0.5 oz of butterscotch schnapps, typically layered in a shot glass.

Is the Copper Camel Shot sweet?

Yes, it is a very sweet, dessert-like shot. The combination of Irish cream and butterscotch schnapps makes it quite indulgent.

How do you layer a shot like the Copper Camel Shot?

To layer, pour the first ingredient (Irish cream) into the glass. Then, slowly pour the second ingredient (butterscotch schnapps) over the back of a bar spoon held just above the surface of the first liquid. This helps it float and create distinct layers.

What other shots are similar to the Copper Camel Shot?

Shots like the Buttery Nipple, Slippery Nipple, and Cock Sucking Cowboy share a similar sweet, creamy, or layered profile.

Can I make a batch of Copper Camel Shots?

You can pre-measure the ingredients, but it is best to layer each shot individually just before serving for the best visual appeal and flavor separation.

What’s the best way to drink a Copper Camel Shot?

It is typically consumed as a single gulp, allowing the flavors to blend quickly as you drink it.

Is this a dessert shot?

Absolutely. The Copper Camel Shot is often enjoyed as a sweet treat after a meal or as a fun party starter due to its indulgent flavor.

What does butterscotch schnapps taste like?

Butterscotch schnapps tastes distinctly like butterscotch candy: sweet, buttery, with strong caramel and vanilla notes.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read