# Picklebacks and other yummy shots

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [January 26, 2016, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287 "2016-01-26T19:39:13Z")
**Posts on this page:** 19
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2016, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/1 "2016-01-26T19:39:13Z")

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My Monday evening beer discussion group met last night. A good time was had by all. My buddy Chris, a bartender by trade, ordered a round of picklebacks.

I’d never heard of or had a pickleback. It’s simply a shot of cheap whiskey followed by a shot of pickle juice. Boom, boom. And the taste is awesome!

I followed the pickleback round with a round of Finger Me Sooo Goods (Crown Royal and Butterscotch Schnapps), then we returned to our beers.

Any favorite shooters?

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### Author: ![Disheavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2016, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/2 "2016-01-26T23:03:38Z")

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I’ve always been partial to a cement mixer [1 part Bailey’s Irish Cream (Other types of alcoholic Irish cream may be substituted.) 1 part Lime juice (lemon juice may be substituted)] for the uninitiated. It is always fun for the uninitiated.

Before the advent of Fireball Whiskey, I’ve always enjoyed a Prairie Fire (Tequila and Tabasco) to get a warm feeling all over.

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### Author: ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2016, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/3 "2016-01-26T23:05:15Z")

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Shillelagh - Equal parts Bailey’s and vodka

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### Author: ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2016, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/4 "2016-01-27T08:31:53Z")

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The South African National Shooter is the [Springbokkie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springbokkie) - a layered shooter, half [Amarula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amarula) floated on half Crème de menthe (specifically, Bols Green Mint). I must have made thousands of them when I was the barman at our gold mine’s rec club.

I am also the proud inventor of the [Amygdaloidal Basalt and U-Boa](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=4621657&postcount=28)t…

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### Author: ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2016, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/5 "2016-01-27T11:50:28Z")

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> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> The South African National Shooter is the [Springbokkie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springbokkie) - a layered shooter, half [Amarula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amarula) floated on half Crème de menthe (specifically, Bols Green Mint). I must have made thousands of them when I was the barman at our gold mine’s rec club.

> [@](#):
>
> Amarula is a cream liqueur from South Africa. It is made with sugar, cream and the fruit of the African marula tree (Sclerocarya birrea) which is also locally called the Elephant tree or the Marriage Tree.

No Amarula around here, I’m afraid. No Amarula trees either. Sounds interesting, though.

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### Author: ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2016, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/6 "2016-01-27T11:51:35Z")

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Irish Car Bombs anyone?

A couple years ago my gf visited Ireland. I told her not to order one there.

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### Author: ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2016, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/7 "2016-01-27T12:23:10Z")

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> [@kayaker](#):
>
> No Amarula around here, I’m afraid. No Amarula trees either. Sounds interesting, though.

You can make it with Baileys, it’s close enough. Amarula is like a slightly fruity Baileys.

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### Author: ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2016, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/8 "2016-01-27T12:53:36Z")

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> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> You can make it with Baileys, it’s close enough. Amarula is like a slightly fruity Baileys.

Cool. I will try a Springbokkie later tonight. My Wednesday beer discussion group is scheduled to meet at 5.

Oh, and speaking of Bailey’s, I had a Baileys/Sambuca shot recently as an after dinner Freebie at TuttaPasta. Thanks, Waren!

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### Author: ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2016, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/9 "2016-01-27T12:59:45Z")

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One of my favorites is a shot of good rye whiskey, brand is unimportant, followed quickly by another shot of the same good rye whiskey.

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### Author: ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2016, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/10 "2016-01-27T15:20:57Z")

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> [@kayaker](#):
>
> Cool. I will try a Springbokkie later tonight.

It’s important to get the pouring over the back of a spoon bit right, you don’t want the two layers to mix at all.

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### Author: ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2016, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/11 "2016-01-27T15:29:42Z")

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> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> It’s important to get the pouring over the back of a spoon bit right, you don’t want the two layers to mix at all.

Yeah, I’m actually pretty good at stuff like that.😉

And a search of the PA State Store (liquor stores) web site shows zero results for Amarula. ☹

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### Author: ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/12 "2016-01-27T16:50:35Z")

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Duck Fart  
Layered Bailys, Kaluha and Crown Royal.

The semi official shot of Iditarod mushers and followers…mmmmmmm!

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### Author: ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2016, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/13 "2016-01-28T00:37:26Z")

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I was at the liquor store for unrelated reasons tonight and I saw Amarula so I picked it up.

_burp_ These springbokkies are tasty sort of a fruit smoothie meets shamrock shake.

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### Author: ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2016, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/14 "2016-01-28T01:29:04Z")

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Couple of my favs:

Whisky and Stones. Shot of whisky (I prefer Jameson or Canadian Club) with a dash of Stones green ginger wine. Shoot or sip over ice.

Equal parts Absinthe, Vodka and Tequila for the fast track to pissed ville

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### Author: ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2016, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/15 "2016-01-28T01:42:20Z")

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> [@Scumpup](#):
>
> One of my favorites is a shot of good rye whiskey, brand is unimportant, followed quickly by another shot of the same good rye whiskey.

Hmm, interesting.

What I like to do is take a half-shot a good rye whiskey (brand is unimportant) and, _very carefully_, layer it on top of a half-shot of the same good rye whiskey.

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### Author: ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2016, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/16 "2016-01-28T01:55:07Z")

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> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#):
>
> Hmm, interesting.
> 
> What I like to do is take a half-shot a good rye whiskey (brand is unimportant) and, _very carefully_, layer it on top of a half-shot of the same good rye whiskey.

I am so trying that!

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### Author: ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2016, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/17 "2016-01-28T02:04:16Z")

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> [@kayaker](#):
>
> No Amarula around here, I’m afraid. No Amarula trees either. Sounds interesting, though.

I’m surprised. It’s not too terribly hard to find in well-stocked liquor stores around here, at least. I know, because I was so excited when I came back from South Africa to bring my parents a gift of a couple bottles of Amarula only to find it at pretty much every second liquor store I visited here in Chicago.

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### Author: ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2016, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/18 "2016-01-28T03:16:44Z")

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I haven’t had Amarula in ages, and the Springbokkie sounds pretty good. Might have to go shopping this week. (I’m out of [Bärenjäger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A4renfang), anyway, which is one of my preferred shots when I decide to indulge.)

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### Author: ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2016, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picklebacks-and-other-yummy-shots/744287/19 "2016-01-28T03:49:19Z")

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OK, I’m not into shooters, but once every, I dunno, five years or whenever I feel like reliving my college days I enjoy a girl scout cookie: equal parts Bailey’s, kahlua (or creme de cacao), and peppermint schnapps or creme de menthe.
