Buttery Nipple Shot: A Butterscotch & Cream Fusion

buttery nipple shot recipe

The Buttery Nipple shot, with its indulgent blend of butterscotch schnapps and Irish cream liqueur, is a dessert in a glass that promises a sweet, creamy, and velvety experience.

This layered shot recipe is not only a delight to the taste buds but also a visual treat, showcasing the art of layering in mixology.

Despite its playful name, the Buttery Nipple is a choice for those looking to savor a rich, flavorful shot that combines the warmth of butterscotch with the smoothness of Irish cream.

Here’s a detailed guide to making the Buttery Nipple shot at home.


Buttery Nipple Ingredients

  • Butterscotch Schnapps (1 ounce / 30 ml): A sweet liqueur that captures the essence of butterscotch candy, providing a rich, caramel-like base that is both aromatic and deeply flavorful.
  • Irish Cream Liqueur (1/2 ounce / 15 ml): Adds a layer of creamy sweetness, complementing the butterscotch schnapps with its smooth, milky texture and hints of chocolate and vanilla.

Buttery Nipple Recipe

  1. Preparation:
    • The key to a successful Buttery Nipple shot is achieving a perfect layering of the Irish cream over the butterscotch schnapps.
  2. Pouring the Butterscotch Schnapps:
    • Begin by pouring 1 ounce (30 ml) of butterscotch schnapps into a clean shot glass. The schnapps serves as the foundation of the shot, providing a sweet, caramel base.
  3. Layering the Irish Cream Liqueur:
    • To create the distinct layering effect, hold a spoon upside down over the shot glass, touching the surface of the schnapps.
    • Slowly pour 1/2 ounce (15 ml) of Irish cream liqueur over the back of the spoon.
    • The spoon’s curve helps disperse the liqueur, allowing it to float gently on top of the schnapps without mixing.

The Buttery Nipple – In Detail

The Buttery Nipple, also known as the Butterball Shot, is all about lighthearted fun. This sweet, simple shot is a prelude to an enjoyable evening, featuring a visually appealing layer of butterscotch schnapps beneath Irish cream liqueur.

Emerging alongside other naughty-named cocktails in the 1980s, like Sex on the Beach, the Buttery Nipple remains a beloved choice. It’s a cousin to the Slippery Nipple, which blends sambuca, grenadine, and Irish cream, though they share only the latter ingredient.

The Buttery Nipple distinguishes itself with the addition of butterscotch schnapps, typically crafted from brown sugar and butter infused in a base spirit, with DeKuyper’s Buttershots being a popular choice. This duo creates a shooter reminiscent of indulgent butterscotch sweets.

Perfect For A Fun Night In

The entertainment value of this shooter is enhanced by its layered presentation. Achieve this by gently layering Baileys or another Irish cream atop the schnapps, using a bar spoon to carefully guide the liqueur.

This method, which is easy to replicate at home, enriches the drink with a striking visual element. Alternatively, for a more mixed experience, combine the ingredients with ice, shake, and strain into shot glasses.

With a relatively mild alcohol content, the Buttery Nipple is approachable, though some opt to add vodka for an extra kick. When doing so, pour the vodka first to maintain the layered look, adding the Irish cream last for that signature separation.

Dive into the world of layered shooters with the Buttery Nipple as your starting point, and maybe venture into more complex creations like the B-52 for your next mixology experiment.