What ingredients are in a Big Red?

1/2 oz Irish cream, 1/2 oz Goldschlager

What glass do you use for a Big Red?

A Big Red is traditionally served in a Shot glass.

How strong is a Big Red?

A Big Red has an estimated ABV of 23,79%.

How many calories are in a Big Red?

A Big Red contains approximately 96 calories per serving.

Big Red

Glas Shot glass

Schwierigkeitsgrad Easy

Kalorien ~96 kcal

ABV 23,79%

Zutaten

Irish cream 1/2 oz
Goldschlager 1/2 oz

Anweisungen

Pour ingredients into 1 ounce shot glass

Sweet Strong

Big Red is a straightforward two-ingredient shot that pairs the creamy vanilla-chocolate sweetness of Irish cream with the cinnamon heat of Goldschläger, creating an unusual but complementary flavor pairing. At 23.79% ABV, it is a warm, spicy, and sweet shooter that derives its name from the signature red-gold color imparted by the Goldschläger's cinnamon hue. The contrast of cool cream and hot cinnamon is its defining characteristic.

History & Origins

Big Red is a bar culture shot with disputed origins, reflecting the creative pairing experiments that were common in American bars during the 1980s and 1990s. Goldschläger, the Swiss cinnamon schnapps with real gold flakes, became a popular shot ingredient after its wider distribution in the late 1980s, leading to numerous pairings with contrasting flavors like Irish cream. No single credited inventor exists for this recipe.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Warm cinnamon spice from the Goldschläger mingles with the creamy chocolate and vanilla notes of Irish cream. Palate: Sweet and creamy initially from the Irish cream, then a wave of cinnamon heat from the Goldschläger; the two flavors contrast but complement each other. Finish: Warm and spicy, with lingering cinnamon.

cinnamon creamy spicy sweet vanilla

Pro Tip

Pour the Irish cream first, then add the Goldschläger gently on top; the visual contrast of the clear cinnamon spirit over the cream makes for a striking presentation.

Data verified September 2015

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