The Irish Slammer

In the 1890’s the Boiler Maker was created in Butte Montana as a drink for the local miners.  In its most simple form it is a shot of whiskey chased with a beer.  One fateful day someone decided to drop the shot into the beer and chug it down giving new definition to the Boiler Maker, also known as a Depth Charge.

Fast forward to 1976 at Wilson’s Saloon in Norwich, Connecticut when bartender Charles Oat creates a shot combining Bailey’s Irish Cream with Jameson’s Irish Whiskey and Kahlua. The shot caught on and in short time, Oats came up with the idea of dropping it into a half pint of Guinness in the fashion of a Boiler Maker. The combination is creamy, sweet and bitter at the same time tasting much like a milkshake but with a nice kick from the Jameson. The key to drinking an Irish Slammer is to chug it down as fast as possible because in short time the Bailey’s will break down in the drink making it rather unattractive. Many of you may remember this drink as the Irish Car Bomb but the name rang less than politically correct and offensive to the Irish considering their turbulent past, so the more acceptable Irish Slammer has replaced the above. It is a delicious combination that is easy to make and a crowd pleaser perfect for your Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations. 

The Irish Slammer

• Fill a pint glass half full of Guinness Stout
• Fill a 2 ounce shot glass with ½ Bailey’s and ½ Jameson’s Irish Whiskey

Gently drop the shot into the beer and drink it straight down in one long chug.

Variation: Over the years Kalua was excluded from the recipe finding that it added a bit too much sweetness, but if you like your drink sweeter build your shot with 1/3 each Bailey’s, Jameson’s and Kahlua.