An Irish breakfast shot pairs Irish whiskey with butterscotch schnapps, then serves it alongside a small glass of orange juice and a strip of bacon. The sweet, whiskey-forward shot and savory garnish make a playful brunch drink; recipes vary, so this version keeps the proportions simple and easy to scale.
Ingredients
- 1 oz (30 ml) Irish whiskey
- 1 oz (30 ml) butterscotch schnapps
- 1 oz (30 ml) orange juice, chilled
- 1 strip (about 15 g) cooked bacon, for serving
- Ice, as needed for chilling (optional)
Instructions
- Chill a shot glass and a small serving glass for the orange juice in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes, if you have time. This is optional, but helps keep the drink cool without diluting it.
- Measure the Irish whiskey and butterscotch schnapps into a shot glass. For a colder shot, shake both ingredients with ice for about 10 seconds in a cocktail shaker, then strain into the glass. Alternatively, stir them together briefly over ice and strain. Skip the ice if you prefer the classic room-temperature pour.
- Pour the chilled orange juice into a separate small glass. Set the cooked bacon strip on a small plate or serve it alongside the glasses; it is a garnish and snack, not an ingredient to blend into the drink.
- Serve the whiskey mixture and orange juice together. Take the shot, then sip or follow it with the juice and enjoy the bacon separately. The order is flexible; use small sips rather than feeling obliged to drink quickly.
Tips
- Measure rather than free-pour. Equal parts whiskey and schnapps make a noticeably sweet, potent drink. Use a jigger or measuring spoon; 1 fluid ounce is 2 tablespoons (30 ml).
- Adjust the sweetness. Butterscotch schnapps can be quite sweet. For a drier, more whiskey-forward version, use 1½ oz (45 ml) whiskey with ½ oz (15 ml) schnapps. The result will be less candy-like and a little stronger in whiskey flavor.
- Keep the orange juice separate. Mixing it into the shot changes the texture and makes the drink larger. Freshly squeezed or packaged juice both work; strained juice gives a smoother chaser.
- Use cooked bacon and serve promptly. The bacon is a salty garnish, not a required component of the liquid. If cooking bacon for this recipe, follow its package directions and handle it as a perishable cooked food rather than leaving it out for the duration of a party.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the shot and juice in separate glasses so guests can choose how to enjoy them. A small strip of crisp, cooked bacon gives the drink its familiar breakfast-style presentation, but you can omit it for a simpler cocktail. For a brunch spread, pair it with savory foods such as eggs, toast, or potatoes; keep the drink as a small accompaniment rather than treating it as a meal.
This is an alcoholic drink for adults of legal drinking age. Drink responsibly, serve modest portions, and do not drive after drinking. Offer a nonalcoholic choice alongside it, and never pressure anyone to take a shot.
Variations
- Less sweet: Follow the 1½-to-½-ounce whiskey-to-schnapps ratio in the tips. It keeps the butterscotch note while making whiskey the dominant flavor.
- More orange-forward: Serve 1½ oz (45 ml) orange juice as the chaser. This changes the proportion of the accompanying juice, not the strength of the shot itself.
- Skip the bacon: Leave off the garnish for a drink that is easier to serve to a mixed group. The whiskey, schnapps, and orange juice still make the recognizable combination.
- Make a small batch: For four servings, combine 4 oz (120 ml) Irish whiskey and 4 oz (120 ml) butterscotch schnapps. Chill the mixture in a covered container, then measure 2 oz (60 ml) per serving and pour the orange juice separately.
Storage and Reheating
This drink is best assembled just before serving. If batching the whiskey and schnapps, cover and refrigerate the mixture for up to 24 hours for best flavor; give it a quick stir before pouring. Keep orange juice refrigerated according to its label, and do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Discard any juice or mixed drink left out longer. Do not store a prepared drink with ice, which will dilute it. Reheating is not appropriate.
Cooked bacon should be refrigerated within 2 hours in a covered container and used within 3–4 days. Reheat it separately if desired, until hot; do not heat the cocktail. For a single serving, it is simplest to prepare only the amount you plan to drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ingredients in an Irish breakfast shot?
The standard combination is Irish whiskey and butterscotch schnapps, usually in equal amounts. It is served with orange juice as a chaser and often accompanied by cooked bacon.
Do you mix the orange juice into the shot?
No. Keep it in a separate small glass. The shot is the whiskey-and-schnapps mixture; the orange juice is served alongside it.
Can I make an Irish breakfast shot without bacon?
Yes. Bacon is a garnish and serving tradition, not part of the drink itself. Leave it out or offer it separately without changing the cocktail.
What can I use instead of butterscotch schnapps?
There is no exact substitute. A caramel-flavored liqueur can provide a similar sweet note, though the flavor may be less buttery; use the same amount and adjust to taste. Avoid replacing it with nonalcoholic syrup unless you are comfortable with a sweeter, less spirit-forward drink.
Can I make these ahead for a party?
You can combine the whiskey and schnapps in a covered container and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours for best flavor. Pour individual servings shortly before serving, and keep the juice and cooked bacon refrigerated until needed.
How strong is one serving?
This recipe contains 2 oz (60 ml) of spirits before any dilution, so it is a full alcoholic serving, not a low-alcohol drink. The exact alcohol content varies by product and proof; serve responsibly and allow guests to decline.
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