Irish Car Bomb   ˈī-rish ˈkär ˈbäm   noun   A boilermaker made with stout (e.g. Guinness), Irish Cream (e.g. Baileys) and Irish whiskey (e.g.Jameson). The name references the drink’s Irish components and the car bombings used most notoriously by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) during The Troubles. The Baileys is floated on top of the Jameson in a shot glass, and the shot glass is then dropped into the stout. Once mixed the drink must be consumed quickly, because it will curdle.

I first had an Irish Car Bomb when I first came to Atlanta.  I’m not 100% sure who I was with or what exact day it was on, or what exact bar I was in.  All I can remember is someone telling me,”It tastes like chocolate cake.”  I thought,”I like chocolate cake.  That sounds good.  Let’s try it.”  If I only knew.  It was awesome.

Now if someone was to explain to me the whole process I initially would spend most of my time on the other side of the bar from the intriguing drink, but after a few tries, you learn to truly appreciate this wonder of this cocktail.  Yes, it takes a strong stomach to handle it. Yes, it takes a quick drinker to get it all down.  Yes, it could curdle on you if your too slow.  Yes, it gets you pretty drunk, pretty fast.  But it’s fun, it looks rad, you get to race all your friends and it tastes like cake.  Come on!  What else can you ask for?

I’ve had plenty of friends that can not quite handle an Irish Car Bomb, and in my opinion that’s weak.  If you haven’t tried it yet, you should. (at least once) And if you are intimidated just know that this is one of Priscilla’s favorite drinks.  She can take them like a champ and beats me every time.