Ingredients
- .25 oz Irish Cream
- .25 oz Peach Schnapps
- .5 oz Apple Juice
- 1.5 oz Whipped Cream
Instructions
Mix the Ingredients:
- In a shaker filled with ice, combine 0.25 oz Irish cream, 0.25 oz peach schnapps, and 0.5 oz apple juice.
Shake Well:
- Shake the mixture well to chill and blend the flavors.
Pour into Shot Glass:
- Strain the mixture into a shot glass.
Top with Whipped Cream:
- Add 1.5 oz of whipped cream on top.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy the sweet and fruity delight.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Cunnilingus shot is a modern bar creation, likely a product of the late 20th or early 21st century, designed for novelty and quick consumption. Its origin isn’t tied to any specific region or a classic cocktail lineage. Instead, it emerged from the culture of sweet, often humorously named, layered or topped shots popular in college towns and party bars.
This shot falls squarely into the dessert shooter category, alongside other creamy, sweet concoctions like the Slippery Nipple or the Buttery Nipple. What sets the Cunnilingus apart is its specific combination of fruit schnapps and apple, giving it a distinct orchard fruit character under the creamy Irish cream, often making it lighter and fruitier than its cousins.
You’d typically find this shot ordered in a lively bar, a college hangout, or a party setting where the atmosphere is casual and fun. It’s not a drink you’d see on a sophisticated cocktail menu. It’s the kind of order that usually comes with a smirk, a giggle, or a dare, perfectly suited for celebrations where inhibitions are left at the door.
What it tastes like
The Cunnilingus shot delivers a straightforward sweet and creamy profile. On the front, you get the bright, slightly tart sweetness of apple juice, quickly followed by the syrupy, ripe flavor of peach schnapps. The Irish cream then blankets the mid-palate with its characteristic notes of coffee, chocolate, and whiskey, providing a rich, smooth counterpoint. The finish is soft and sweet, with the whipped cream adding a decadent, airy texture that makes it feel like a liquid dessert.
Given its ingredients, the Cunnilingus is a remarkably low proof shot. With 0.25 oz of Irish cream (around 17% ABV) and 0.25 oz of peach schnapps (typically 15-20% ABV), and 0.5 oz of non-alcoholic apple juice, the final mixed liquid before the whipped cream is about 8% alcohol by volume. This makes it significantly less potent than a standard cocktail, or even most beers, which generally hover around 4-6% ABV. It’s a mild sipper, not a heavy hitter.
The technique
Building this shot is simple: combine the Irish cream, peach schnapps, and apple juice in a shaker. Add a generous scoop of ice and give it a quick, hard shake until the outside of the shaker is frosty cold. This ensures proper chilling and a slight dilution to meld the flavors. Strain the mixture directly into a shot glass. The final touch is a healthy dollop of whipped cream on top, which should be applied just before serving.
The most important technique for the Cunnilingus is the whipped cream application. Don’t just dump it on. Use a dispenser to create a neat, appealing swirl or peak on top of the liquid. This not only looks better but also ensures the whipped cream holds its structure, providing that essential textural contrast. A sloppy application can make the drink look unappetizing and cause the cream to collapse into the liquid too quickly, muddying the experience.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Irish Cream
- Use
- A good quality Irish cream like Baileys or Carolans works best. Their creamy texture and balanced whiskey, coffee, and chocolate notes are essential. Aim for around 17% ABV.
- Skip
- Don’t substitute with plain cream and whiskey. While it might give you the alcohol and dairy, you’ll miss the complex, sweetened, and emulsified flavor profile that makes Irish cream so distinctive and smooth in a shot like this.
- Why
- Irish cream provides the creamy body, the underlying richness, and a hint of boozy warmth that defines the shot’s texture and overall dessert-like appeal. It’s the anchor for the fruit flavors.
Peach Schnapps
- Use
- Any standard peach schnapps like DeKuyper or Bols will do the trick. The goal is a clear, sweet, and pronounced peach flavor, typically around 15-20% ABV.
- Skip
- Avoid using peach liqueur that’s too dry or intensely boozy, as it will throw off the shot’s intended sweetness and balance. Peach brandy is also a different beast entirely and too strong for this application.
- Why
- Peach schnapps is the primary fruit flavor driver for the Cunnilingus. Its sweetness and distinct peach profile are crucial for creating the shot’s playful, fruity character, complementing the apple juice and cutting through the cream.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Apple Pie Cunnilingus
- A spiced, autumnal twist.
- Add a dash of cinnamon schnapps or a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon to the shaker for a warm, spiced apple pie flavor that pairs well with the cream.
Tropical Cunnilingus
- A sunny, exotic fruit version.
- Swap the apple juice for pineapple juice and consider a splash of coconut rum alongside the peach schnapps for a more vibrant, island-inspired profile.
Vanilla Kiss
- Softer, sweeter, with a hint of vanilla.
- Introduce a small amount of vanilla vodka or a tiny drop of vanilla extract to the mix. It mellows the fruit and enhances the dessert quality, making it even smoother.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
For a similar creamy texture, try a coffee liqueur like Kahlúa with a splash of heavy cream, though the flavor profile will shift towards coffee and chocolate.
Substitute with another fruit schnapps like apple schnapps for an ‘Apple Cunnilingus,’ or a pear liqueur if you want to maintain a similar orchard fruit vibe. The flavor will change, but the sweet, fruity character will remain.
White grape juice or pear juice can work as a substitute, providing a similar sweet, non-acidic fruit base. The specific apple notes will be absent, but the overall balance should hold.
If you don’t have canned whipped cream, a dollop of vanilla ice cream or a swirl of heavy cream (whipped manually if possible) can provide a similar creamy topping, though the texture will be denser.
You can stir the ingredients well with ice in a mixing glass or even directly in the shot glass if you’re in a pinch, but it won’t get as cold or diluted as effectively, which impacts the blend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Cunnilingus?
A Cunnilingus shot contains Irish cream, peach schnapps, apple juice, and is topped with whipped cream.
What does a Cunnilingus taste like?
It tastes sweet and creamy, with prominent flavors of peach and apple, followed by the rich, smooth notes of Irish cream. It’s often described as a dessert shot.
How strong is a Cunnilingus shot?
It’s a low ABV shot, typically around 8% alcohol by volume for the mixed liquid before the whipped cream. It’s less potent than most standard cocktails or even many beers.
Is the Cunnilingus a popular shot?
Yes, it’s a popular novelty or party shot, often ordered for its suggestive name and its sweet, easy-drinking profile, especially in casual bar settings.
Can I make a Cunnilingus ahead of time?
You can pre-mix the Irish cream, peach schnapps, and apple juice, but it’s best to chill it thoroughly and add the whipped cream just before serving for optimal taste and texture.
What kind of glass should I use for a Cunnilingus?
A standard shot glass is the appropriate serving vessel for a Cunnilingus.
What are some similar shots to a Cunnilingus?
Other sweet, creamy shots include the Buttery Nipple, Slippery Nipple, and the Blowjob shot, all of which feature a milky or creamy component.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version of the Cunnilingus?
You could approximate it by mixing non-alcoholic peach syrup or puree, apple juice, and a non-alcoholic Irish cream alternative, topped with whipped cream. The exact flavor will differ without the spirits.
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