Monday, March 8, 2010. a shot of Irish Cream and Irish Whiskey is dropped into a pint of Guinness Draught beer to make an Irish Car Bomb.  (Photo by Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)
Food - Drink
Why Ordering Curdled Shots Is A Red Flag For Bartenders
By JESSIE MOLLOY
Bailey's Irish Cream in a round glass next to piles of coffee beans
Curdled shots are a unique set of drinks that mix acidic liquor and cream for a gross-out effect. One would think people would want to avoid this sensation in their day-to-day lives, yet a bit of unpleasant taste has not stopped some from intentionally using this reaction of alcohol and cream for shock value while partying.
Brain hemorrhage shot with curdled cream inside liquor
Drinks like the Cement Mixer, the Brain Hemorrhage, and the Irish Car Bomb all curdle upon mixing, making part of the “appeal” the unpleasant texture, nauseating look, and time limit to drink it all as quickly as possible. Curdled shots like these are part of the top ten drinks bartenders see as an automatic red flag and advise against customers ordering.
Cement mixer drink in a shooter glass
Unlike a lot of bartenders’ least favorite drinks, which are overly complicated to make, professionals say that these drinks are just gross, and ordering them gives off an obnoxious, frat-house prank vibe. Plus, when you go out and deliberately drink something that is known to be nauseating, it increases your odds of getting sick out on the dance floor.