Ingredients
- 15 ml Kahlua
- 15 ml Baileys Irish Cream
- 15 ml vodka
- 15 ml amaretto Disaronno
Instructions
- Add Kahlua, Baileys, vodka and amaretto to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 8 to 10 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled shot glass.
- Optional garnish: a dusting of cocoa powder or a single coffee bean on top.
- Drink in one go.
Notes
Where it came from
The Orgasm cocktail family started with the basic Orgasm (Kahlua, Baileys, amaretto) in the 1980s American cocktail bar scene. The Screaming Orgasm adds vodka for extra punch. The Multiple Orgasm adds cream. The whole family is the result of the 1980s craze for dessert-style cocktails with deliberately attention-grabbing names.
The drink hit peak popularity in the late 1980s and 1990s alongside the Sex on the Beach and the Buttery Nipple, all part of the same wave. The naming convention is dated; the drinks themselves still hold up.
Why four ingredients
Each one plays a role. Kahlua delivers coffee sweetness. Baileys adds cream and Irish whiskey notes. Vodka gives the shot a backbone (without it the drink is a basic Orgasm and feels too sweet). Amaretto adds almond complexity that lifts the drink out of milkshake territory. Take any one out and the balance falls apart.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
The Kahlua
- Use
- Standard Kahlua coffee liqueur
- Try
- Tia Maria for a slightly drier coffee note
- Skip
- Coffee syrup, no body or alcohol
The Baileys
- Use
- Original Baileys Irish Cream
- Try
- Carolans or Saint Brendan’s for cheaper alternatives
- Skip
- Long-opened Baileys, the cream goes off
The amaretto
- Use
- Disaronno (the standard amaretto)
- Try
- Lazzaroni Amaretto for a more almond-forward version
- Why
- Amaretto adds the almond complexity that separates this drink from a basic creamy shot
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Skip the vodka and you have a Basic Orgasm. Less strong, equally sweet.
Frangelico (hazelnut) for a different nutty note.
Any Irish cream liqueur. Or 15ml of cream plus 5ml of Irish whiskey.
Triple measures, serve over ice in a rocks glass. Now it is an Orgasm on the Rocks.
Add 7ml of creme de cacao. Becomes an “After Eight Orgasm”.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Screaming Orgasm shot?
Four ingredients: Kahlua, Baileys Irish Cream, vodka and amaretto. Standard build is 15ml of each, shaken hard with ice and strained into a shot glass.
What is the difference between an Orgasm and a Screaming Orgasm?
An Orgasm is Kahlua, Baileys and amaretto. A Screaming Orgasm adds vodka. The Multiple Orgasm adds cream on top of that. The Slippery Orgasm uses Sambuca instead of amaretto. Same family, different proofs and flavours.
Why is it called a Screaming Orgasm?
It is part of the 1980s wave of cocktails with deliberately attention-grabbing names (Sex on the Beach, Slippery Nipple, etc.). The name is meant to provoke and amuse rather than describe the drink.
Can I make it without alcohol?
Yes. Use cold coffee, cream and almond syrup with a non-alc vodka substitute. The drink will be sweeter and softer but the flavour profile holds.
How strong is a Screaming Orgasm?
Around 22 to 25 percent ABV in the shot. The cream and coffee liqueur dilute the vodka, but the four spirits combined still pack a punch.
Does the cream curdle?
Not if you drink it fresh. The acidity from the Kahlua can curdle the Baileys if the shot sits for more than a few minutes. Make and drink immediately.
Should it be shaken or layered?
Shaken. The drink is supposed to be smooth and creamy. A layered version (Kahlua bottom, vodka middle, Baileys and amaretto on top) is technically possible but the texture suffers.
What food goes with a Screaming Orgasm?
Dessert. Chocolate cake, tiramisu, cheesecake. Also a good after-dinner shot with strong coffee.
