Little GuinnessCocktail 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.
The Little Guinness is a visually playful cocktail that mimics the famous Irish stout, Guinness, in appearance. Designed to be served in a shot glass, this two-ingredient cocktail combines the creamy sweetness of Baileys Irish Cream with the rich, deep notes of coffee liqueur, creating a deliciously indulgent and desserty flavor profile.
Meant to be sipped rather than gulped, the Little Guinness is often a crowd-pleaser at parties and gatherings, especially on occasions like St. Patrick's Day, due to its Irish-inspired theme and deceptively simple composition.
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
Method
How to make a Little Guinness
- Bailey's ¼ shotglass, Coffee liqueur ¾ shotglass
-
- Pour Kahlúa into the shot glass first, then add the Baileys by pouring it over an inverted spoon so it layers on top
-
- Then serve
Power tips
Elevate the Little Guinness 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
What is the best way to serve a Little Guinness?
The best way to serve a Little Guinness is to pour it into a chilled shot glass, with the Coffee liqueur at the bottom and Bailey's gently floated on top to create a layered effect that resembles a tiny pint of Guinness. It's usually served cold without ice to maintain the layers.
Why do Bailey's and Coffee liqueur create a layered effect in the Little Guinness?
Bailey's and Coffee liqueur create a layered effect due to their different densities. Coffee liqueur is denser than Bailey's Irish Cream, allowing the Bailey's to float on top when poured gently over the back of a spoon or directly onto the surface of the coffee liqueur. This technique is essential for achieving the iconic look of the Little Guinness.
How does the alcohol content of a Little Guinness compare to other popular shots?
With an alcohol content of approximately 19.25%, a Little Guinness is lower in alcohol compared to stronger shots like a straight vodka or tequila, which typically have an alcohol content of 40%. However, it is higher in alcohol content than some mixed or layered shots that may include non-alcoholic ingredients. This makes the Little Guinness a moderate choice among shot options.
Is there a specific technique to layering the ingredients in a Little Guinness?
Yes, to achieve the layered effect in a Little Guinness, a technique called 'floating' is used. After filling the shot glass with Coffee liqueur, the Bailey's should be gently poured over the rounded side of a spoon that is held just above the liqueur's surface. This allows the Bailey's to spread evenly over the liqueur without mixing, creating the signature layered look.
What occasions are most suitable for serving Little Guinness shots?
Little Guinness shots are perfect for St. Patrick's Day celebrations due to their resemblance to a pint of Guinness and their Irish ingredient, Bailey's. They are also suitable for themed parties, celebratory toasts, or any occasion where fun, visually appealing shots are desired. Their moderate alcohol content makes them a good choice for gatherings where people are looking for something unique but not too strong.
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 luscious blend of Baileys and Amaretto.
Orgasm
Vodka, Bailey's, Coffee liqueur, Amaretto, Cream
Indulge in this rich and creamy holiday treat.
Christmas Pudding Cream
Rye Whiskey, Creme De Cacao, Bailey's, Frangelico
Experience this velvety blend of cream and liqueur.
PS I Love You
Gold rum, Galliano, Amaretto, Bailey's, Cream (half-and-half)
Try this dessert-like delight of Baileys and raspberry.
Jammie Dodger
Bailey's, Raspberry liqueur, Sugar
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