Ingredients
- .5 oz Grape Schnapps
- .5 oz Lemon Rum
- 8 oz Energy Soda
Instructions
Prepare the shot glass:
- Fill the shot glass with 15 ml of grape schnapps and 15 ml of lemon rum.
Fill the base glass:
- In a lowball or old-fashioned glass, pour enough energy soda to reach the top of the shot glass when dropped in.
Drop and drink:
- Drop the shot glass into the base glass filled with energy soda and drink immediately.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
This is a modern bar creation, almost certainly hailing from the United States sometime in the 1990s or early 2000s. It is a product of an era that embraced colorful, sweet, and often layered shots designed for immediate impact and a good time, rather than classic cocktail sophistication.
The Bazooka Joe belongs to the broad family of 'candy shots' or 'dessert shots.' It shares DNA with other sweet, multi-liqueur creations like the Slippery Nipple or the Buttery Nipple. What sets it apart is its distinctive banana and blue hue, directly referencing the iconic bubblegum.
You would typically encounter a Bazooka Joe at a lively college bar, a casual lounge, or as a fun offering at a house party. It is perfect for celebrations where the goal is to enjoy something sweet and spirited without overthinking the ingredients or the pour.
What it tastes like
The flavor profile is overtly sweet and fruity, driven by a prominent banana note, often reminiscent of artificial banana candy. This is balanced by the citrusy, slightly bitter orange essence of blue curaçao, and rounded out by the creamy, vanilla and cocoa undertones of Irish cream. It is a playful and dessert-like experience.
Composed of three liqueurs, a typical 1.5 oz Bazooka Joe shot clocks in around 20-22% ABV. This makes it roughly four times the alcohol concentration of a standard 5% ABV beer, but in a much smaller serving. One shot contains about half the alcohol of a standard 12 oz beer.
The technique
To build a Bazooka Joe shot, start with 0.5 oz banana liqueur in a shot glass. Carefully layer 0.5 oz blue curaçao over the banana liqueur by pouring it slowly over the back of a bar spoon. Finish by layering 0.5 oz Irish cream on top using the same spoon technique. Serve immediately.
The crucial technique here is the layering. Use the back of a bar spoon, held just above the previous liquid layer, to gently guide each subsequent liqueur into the glass. This ensures clean separation and the distinct visual appeal of the drink.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Banana Liqueur
- Use
- Bols Banana or Giffard Banane du Bresil for a balanced sweetness and authentic banana flavor.
- Skip
- Overly artificial or cloyingly sweet banana syrups that taste like a chemical lab. Avoid anything that feels sticky before you even open the bottle.
- Why
- This is the core flavor that defines the Bazooka Joe, providing that unmistakable candy-like banana note that gives the drink its namesake appeal.
Blue Curaçao
- Use
- Bols Blue Curaçao or Senior & Co. Curaçao for good color and a genuine bitter orange flavor.
- Skip
- Generic blue syrups that offer only color without any contributing citrus character. You want some depth beyond just the hue.
- Why
- Blue Curaçao provides the striking blue color essential to the Bazooka Joe's visual identity and adds a necessary citrus counterpoint to the sweetness of the banana and cream.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Bazooka Joe Cocktail
- A longer, sparkling version
- For a full drink, combine the liqueurs over ice in a highball glass and top with lemon-lime soda or club soda for a refreshing fizz.
Red Bazooka
- A different color, same fun
- Swap the blue curaçao for a red liqueur like strawberry liqueur or grenadine. You lose the blue, but gain a different fruity dimension and a new visual.
Creamy Joe
- More dessert, less bite
- Increase the Irish cream to 1 oz and reduce the other liqueurs to 0.25 oz each for an even creamier, richer, and slightly less potent shot.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Try peach schnapps or melon liqueur for a different fruity sweetness. The flavor profile will change, but the sweet shot vibe remains.
Use regular orange curaçao or triple sec for the orange flavor, but you will lose the signature blue color. For color only, a blue food coloring in a clear orange liqueur works.
Baileys Almande works for a dairy-free option. Otherwise, a coffee liqueur can provide a similar creamy texture and depth, though with a different flavor.
A small cordial glass or even a diminutive rocks glass will work. The key is a small, clear vessel to showcase the layers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Bazooka Joe?
A standard Bazooka Joe shot typically contains banana liqueur, blue curaçao, and Irish cream, often layered for visual effect.
Is a Bazooka Joe a shot or a cocktail?
It is almost exclusively served as a shot, though the ingredients could be extended into a longer mixed drink.
What does a Bazooka Joe taste like?
It tastes sweet and fruity, with prominent notes of banana candy, a hint of citrus orange, and a creamy, dessert-like finish.
Why is it called Bazooka Joe?
The name is a playful reference to the popular Bazooka bubblegum, likely inspired by the drink's sweet, candy-like flavor and its vibrant, often blue, color.
How do you make a layered Bazooka Joe?
Layer the ingredients by pouring each one slowly over the back of a bar spoon, starting with the densest (banana liqueur), then blue curaçao, and finally Irish cream.
Can I make a Bazooka Joe without alcohol?
Yes, you can substitute non-alcoholic banana syrup, blue raspberry syrup, and a non-alcoholic cream syrup or even milk for a similar flavor and appearance.
What glass should I use for a Bazooka Joe?
A standard shot glass is the appropriate vessel for a Bazooka Joe.
Is it strong?
For its small volume, a Bazooka Joe shot is moderately strong, typically around 20-22% ABV. It is designed for a quick, sweet sip.
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