Black Forest GateauCocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Black Forest Gateau is a sweet, dessert-leaning shot that riffs on the idea of an after-dinner treat in liquid form. Rather than a storied classic with a fixed origin, it sits in the modern “pudding shot” family—built for quick, playful sipping and familiar flavours that nod to the cake it’s named after. You’ll find it works best when you want something indulgent without committing to a full cocktail.
On the palate, Bailey’s brings a smooth, creamy liqueur base with a gentle cocoa-tinged richness, while the cream doubles down on that soft, velvety texture. Grenadine adds a bright, syrupy red-fruit sweetness that cuts through the dairy and lifts the finish, giving you a contrast between lush creaminess and a candy-like, fruity top note.
Serve it in a shot glass when you’re after a quick dessert moment—ideal after dinner, alongside coffee, or as a fun round at a celebration. It suits anyone who prefers sweet, creamy drinks over sharp citrus or spirit-forward sippers, and it’s especially appealing when you want something approachable for mixed tastes.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Tags
Cocktail Colin says:
Bailey’s leads with creamy, cocoa-tinged sweetness, while cream doubles down on the lush dairy body and grenadine adds a bright, candied red-fruit syrup note that lingers on the finish. It works because the grenadine’s fruity punch keeps the Bailey’s-and-cream richness from feeling flat, making it ideal for sweet-toothed after-dinner sippers who want a quick dessert shot.
Method
How to make a Black Forest Gateau
- Bailey's 20ml, Grenadine 20ml, Cream 20ml
-
- Take a large shot glass and fill a third of it with Baileys, a third with grenadine syrup, and finish with double cream
-
- Garnish with chocolate sprinkles and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Black Forest Gateau with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Upgrade to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
Can I substitute Bailey's in the Black Forest Gateau cocktail with another type of alcohol?
Yes, you can substitute Bailey's with another cream liqueur if you'd like a different flavor profile. For a nuttier taste, consider using a hazelnut liqueur. However, keep in mind that this may change the overall taste and spirit of the Black Forest Gateau cocktail.
What are some garnishing ideas for the Black Forest Gateau cocktail?
To visually enhance the Black Forest Gateau, consider garnishing with a maraschino cherry or a sprinkle of grated chocolate on top. A small swirl of whipped cream could also mimic the dessert's creamy texture, making the drink not only tastier but also more visually appealing.
What is the best way to serve the Black Forest Gateau cocktail?
The Black Forest Gateau cocktail is best served cold in a shot glass. You could also chill the glass before serving to keep the cocktail cold longer. Serving it as a dessert shot after dinner can be a delightful experience for your guests.
How does the alcohol content in the Black Forest Gateau compare to other cocktails?
With an alcohol content of 5.67%, the Black Forest Gateau is on the lower end of the spectrum compared to standard cocktails, which can range from about 10% to 40% alcohol by volume (ABV). Its lower alcohol content makes it a lighter choice, suitable for those who prefer a less potent drink.
For which occasions is the Black Forest Gateau cocktail most suitable?
Due to its sweet nature and dessert-like qualities, the Black Forest Gateau cocktail is most suitable for after-dinner sipping or dessert-themed gatherings. It's a perfect fit for celebrations or as a festive addition to holiday menus, especially for those who enjoy the namesake cake.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Savor this layered shot with a cream and citrus twist.
B52
Bailey's, Orange liqueur, Coffee liqueur
Dive into this rich coffee and cream fusion.
Shaft
Vodka, Crème de cafe, Bailey's, Coffee
Dive into this rich blend of rum and pumpkin spice
Calabaza Nog
Aged rum, Bailey's, Aromatic bitters, Spiced pumpkin syrup, Egg
Indulge in this comforting banana and nutty treat.
Banana Bread
Bailey's, Amaretto, Banana liqueur (crème de banane), Frangelico, Cream
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments