The Cement Mixer Shot Recipe (2024)

A shot that’s both unique and stomach-churning, the Cement Mixer blends citrus and Irish cream to transform any evening into a “solid” event.

You ever have those evenings out with your friends where nothing goes right? Someone loses a purse, it rains all night and ruins everyone’s clothes, a heel is lost, no cab can be hailed, the music stinks, the food gives you food poisoning… I could go on. And yet, afterward, you’re thankful for having spent such a memorable night with important people in your life? Well, that’s the Cement Mixer in nutshell (or a shot glass, as it were).

The experience involves the acid in lime juice turning the dairy in Irish cream into something resembling wet cement (yay, science!). You might notice it actually tastes pretty good if you can get past the look and feel of the thing. But you don’t mind the whole ordeal because you’re there at the bar with friends who are putting themselves through the same torment.

So while this recipe only lists two ingredients, there is a secret third ingredient: friends (cue the sappy after-school-special theme music).

What is the best Irish Cream to Use?

Depending on where you live, there is a limited number of Irish creams available at your local liquor store. The most popular is Baileys, which has become synonymous with Irish cream to the point the two are pretty much interchangeable; however, there are others, many of which are noticeably different from Baileys. The basic recipe for Irish cream is Irish whiskey and cream, but many liqueur purveyors go above and beyond those ingredients, including Baileys, which adds vanilla and chocolate to the mix. Others experiment with the flavors, even replacing the whiskey with white wine (e.g., O’Reillys, Carolans). My advice? Don’t be afraid to veer away from Baileys. There are many creamy liqueurs just waiting for your discovery.

Are There Other Ingredients I can Add?

I’ve gone over replacing the Baileys in this shot; now, let’s discuss other ingredients. Instead of lime juice, you can use lime cordial (Rose’s is a popular brand), which is sweeter than real juice. You can also add a drop or two of grenadine. Made from pomegranates, grenadine will give a bloody effect (OMG! Did someone get stuck in the mixer?!); it also tastes really good. For a more serious version, make a Cement Kicker. To do so, pour Irish cream into one shot glass and fill another with lime juice and 151-proof rum. Fill your mouth with the cream then add the other shot. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4oz.Baileysor any Irish cream liqueur
• 3/4oz.freshly squeezed lime juice

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill

Fill the shot glass with the Irish cream liqueur until about half full.

Pour

Slowly pour the lime juice over the Irish cream (you can pour it over the back of a spoon).

DEVOUR!

FAQs

Other Irish Cream–Based Shots & co*cktails To Try

Virgin Cement Mixer: Baileys also makes a non-alcoholic Irish cream that it markets to coffee drinkers. You can mix that with lime juice for a PG-rated shot.

blow j*b: 1/2 oz. Irish cream, 1/2 oz. coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlua) topped with whipped cream.

Mudslide: 1 oz. vodka, 1 oz. coffee liqueur, 1 1/2 oz. Irish cream. The really fun (but totally optional) bit is adding vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup to the mix.

Crepe Cake with Baileys Chocolate Ganache: Okay, yes, this isn’t an alcoholic beverage; and yes, the recipe calls for the non-alcoholic coffee creamer, BUT you can make it with the whiskey-based liqueur, provided only adults will be partaking in its consumption.