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Baby Guinness Shot is the cutest party trick in the bar, a layered two-ingredient shot that looks exactly like a tiny pint of Guinness, dark on the bottom with a creamy tan head on top. I love pulling these out for a St. Patrick’s Day get-together because everyone thinks they are so impressive, and they take about ten seconds to make. If you love a fun sip, our cinnamon roll cocktail is another crowd favorite.
There is no Guinness in it at all, just coffee liqueur and a creamy float of Irish cream that mimics the look of the famous stout.
Baby Guinness Shot Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 1 minute
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 0 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 1 minute
- 🍽️ Serving: 1 shot
- ⚡ Calories: 14kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Sweet coffee liqueur with a creamy, boozy Irish cream float
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, as simple as our boozy white hot chocolate
Quick Answer
A Baby Guinness Shot is made with just two ingredients: coffee liqueur like Kahlua and Irish cream like Baileys. The coffee liqueur fills most of the shot glass, and the Irish cream is slowly floated on top over the back of a spoon so it settles into a creamy layer that looks like the head on a pint of Guinness. There is no actual Guinness beer in the drink.
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Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- Only two ingredients. Coffee liqueur and Irish cream are all you need for a shot that looks and tastes impressive.
- It looks just like a pint. The dark base and creamy float perfectly mimic a mini pint of Guinness, which always gets a reaction.
- Ready in seconds. No shaking, no blending, just pour and float. You can make a whole tray in minutes.
- Perfect for parties. It is a St. Patrick’s Day classic but works for any get-together where you want a fun, easy shot.
- The float is foolproof. Pouring the Irish cream over the back of a spoon makes the signature layer every single time.
- Easy to batch. Line up your shot glasses and make as many as you need, so no one is stuck playing bartender all night.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It uses just two ingredients and comes together in seconds.
- The layered look is a total showstopper that mimics a tiny pint of Guinness.
- It is the perfect festive shot for St. Patrick’s Day, right alongside our slow cooker corned beef and cabbage.
Key Ingredients
It only takes two bottles to make a Baby Guinness Shot.
- Coffee liqueur: Kahlua is the classic choice. Its sweet, dark coffee flavor forms the base and gives the shot its Guinness-like color.
- Irish cream: Baileys is traditional. Its rich, creamy texture lets it float on top to mimic the frothy head of a pint.
- Chill both bottles: Cold liqueurs are thicker and layer more cleanly, so keep them in the fridge before you pour.
- A shot glass: A slender double shot glass shows off the two layers best and makes the little pint look convincing.
- A bar spoon: The back of a spoon is the secret to a clean float, the same steady-hand trick that makes our French 75 look pro.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
This little shot is easy to riff on.
- Use a chocolate or salted caramel Irish cream for a flavored float.
- Swap the coffee liqueur for a chocolate liqueur for a mocha version.
- Add a tiny drizzle of Irish whiskey on top for a boozier kick.
- Make a non-alcoholic version with cold brew concentrate and sweetened creamer for a mocktail, like the creamy layers in our cinnamon roll cocktail.
How to Make Baby Guinness Shot
- Chill both the coffee liqueur and the Irish cream ahead of time, since cold liqueurs layer more cleanly.
- Fill a double shot glass or small serving glass about three-quarters full with the chilled coffee liqueur.
- Hold a slender spoon upside down and hover it just over the surface of the coffee liqueur, making sure the spoon is smaller than the mouth of the glass.
- Very slowly pour the Irish cream over the back of the spoon so it disperses gently and floats on top of the coffee liqueur.
- Serve immediately, before the layers have a chance to blend, for that classic mini-pint look.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Chill everything first, since cold, thicker liqueurs float and layer far more cleanly than room-temperature ones.
- Pour slowly over the back of a spoon so the Irish cream settles gently instead of sinking and mixing.
- Use a spoon smaller than the glass opening so it can hover just over the surface without touching the sides.
- Fill most of the glass with coffee liqueur so there is room for a generous creamy float on top.
- Serve them right away, since the layers are prettiest fresh and will slowly blend as they sit.
- Batch them by lining up your shot glasses, pouring all the coffee liqueur first, then floating the Irish cream one by one.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
Serve Baby Guinness Shots ice cold and freshly layered so the two colors stay crisp and defined. They are a guaranteed conversation starter at any party.
They are the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day treat. Set out a tray next to our slow cooker corned beef and cabbage for a festive Irish spread.
For a full cocktail lineup, pair them with our London Mule or a fizzy passion fruit gin fizz so there is a drink for everyone.
Because they are made to order and best fresh, Baby Guinness Shots are not something you store. Instead, prep your station ahead: chill the bottles, set out the glasses and a spoon, and pour them just before serving so every layered shot looks perfect.
Baby Guinness Shot FAQs
No, there is no Guinness beer in it at all. The name comes purely from the look. The dark coffee liqueur base and the creamy Irish cream float on top resemble a tiny pint of Guinness with its signature dark body and pale, foamy head.
The trick is to pour the Irish cream slowly over the back of an upside-down spoon held just above the coffee liqueur. This disperses the cream gently so it settles into its own layer instead of sinking. Chilling both liqueurs first helps the layers stay separate.
Kahlua is the classic coffee liqueur and Baileys is the traditional Irish cream, and together they give the most authentic look and taste. That said, any quality coffee liqueur and Irish cream will work, so use your favorites or whatever you have on hand.
These are best made fresh, right before serving, so the layers stay crisp. You can prep ahead by chilling the bottles and setting out your glasses and spoon. When guests arrive, pour the coffee liqueur into all the glasses, then float the Irish cream on each one.
It is a full-strength shot made entirely of liqueurs, so it is definitely boozy, though coffee liqueur and Irish cream are lower proof than spirits like vodka or whiskey. As always, enjoy responsibly and offer a non-alcoholic version for anyone who is not drinking.
Yes. Layer cold brew coffee concentrate or a coffee syrup on the bottom and gently float sweetened cream or a creamy coffee creamer on top. You will get the same fun mini-pint look without the alcohol, which is great for a family-friendly party.
Made these Baby Guinness Shots? I would love to hear how they turned out, leave a comment and a star rating below!
Baby Guinness Shot
Ingredients
- 3 parts chilled Kahlua or coffee liquor
- 1 part chilled Irish Cream
Instructions
- Take a double shot glass or serving glass and fill it ¾ the way full with the chilled Kahlua.
- Invert a slender spoon over the glass, hovering just on top of the Kahlua. You want to ensure the spoon is smaller than the opening of the glass. Very slowly, pour the Bailey’s on top of the spoon to disperse and settle/float on top of the Kahlua. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Make sure to use a spoon that is smaller in circumference than your shot or serving glass.
- Chill the Kahlua and Bailey’s before serving.
- I do not recommend storing since this makes 1 shot very quick.
- Lots of options for making these different flavors, see my tips above.
Nutrition
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