In honor of the upcoming Holiday, instead of being an old stick in the mud like my brother Jim, I have decided to embrace the luck o’ the Irish and celebrate the day accordingly with the wearin’ o’ the green and an annual physical. Ok, not really a festive event but it was scheduled that day nonetheless, so I will be dropping my drawers for the holiday even before I drink anything.
I must start out this post with a confession…
I’ve never had a Car Bomb, at least not a whole one, let me explain. I have always liked Bailey’s Irish Cream. It is a sweet drink that a man can get away with drinking on occasion, without loosing his mancard, or getting a corner notched. It is an acceptable sweet drink that I have on occasion, because if I were to have it a lot or exclusively, then other guys would begin to look at me funny. Plus at 17% ABV it doesn’t have any real stout drinking cred. So one night, completely on a whim, I decided to put a shot of Jameson Irish whiskey in my Baileys. This was a very manly move on my part, and one that I was glad I invented.
This (half a Car Bomb) drink that I invented was smooth and creamy, but the bite of the Jameson cut through some of the cloying sweetness of the Baileys, making for a very good drink. Fast Forward to today, and I have since found out that a full Car Bomb is a half glass of Guinness with my Bailey’s and Jameson drink invention dropped into it in a shot glass and slammed back quickly.
First of all let me say that I am not one who condones slamming anything. If drinks are so bad tasting that you have to slam it to get it down, you probably shouldn’t be drinking it in the first place. So I don’t even know if you could drink a Car Bomb slowly, or at a moderate speed without it being bad somehow. Like I said previously I’ve never had one before.
So here is my musing for the day. Would it be better to just have the very tasty half a Car Bomb that doesn’t have to be slammed to get past off flavors and into quick inebriation, or is the traditional Irish Car Bomb the preferred way to get the Irish spirit in ye? I don’t know the answer, so I thought I would pose the question to the group. What are your thoughts? First, can you drink a traditional Car Bomb at a moderate pace, or is it gross? Second if you have to slam it, is it better to sip half a Car Bomb then to Slam the traditional one? Put on your thinking caps and give me your thoughts in the comments.
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
The problem with sipping a traditional car-bomb is that it kind of coagulates unless you ‘slam’ it. The texture associated with that coagulation makes it ‘gross’ I think. It’s really quite tasty, though, and the slamming is more for that reason than trying to mask the taste. Count me in the ‘slammers’ group.
One for the slammers. I guess I would wonder out loud whether it would be better to sip the half a Car Bomb and back it with a traditional Guinness then to slam the whole concoction? I guess I’m too far removed from college to really like the idea of slamming a drink.
The reason it has to be slammed is that the Bailey’s curdles when it hits the Guinness.
Then one might ask themselves is it a good mixture to begin with? It does sound like a good mix of flavors, but if one drink destroys the other then perhaps they shouldn’t be combined. Just Sayin’
I’m not a fan of stouts and porters to begin with, so I’ve never actually had one. That being said, it is kind of a frat boy thing, so they’re not drinking it to savour the flavours.
Careful what you say around here, we may have to put you in the Stout Corner until you enjoy the flavor of those awesome brews! 😉 If you stick around here for a while I’m sure you will get indoctrinated.
I think the reason for slamming a Car Bomb is due to the fact that the cream in Bailey’s can curdle when mixed with whiskey and beer. I prefer my girlfriend’s take on it: the Car Bomb cupcake. Guinness in the cake, with a Jameson chocolate ganache in the center, and Bailey’s frosting on top. I SUPPOSE you could take your time with the cupcake, but I tend to slam them down my gullet as quickly as the liquid version. 🙂
Never ming the first part of my post; looks like it’s been covered above!
😉
Now while I don’t condone slamming drinks, I think I could get behind slamming Car Bomb cupcakes! They sound delicious Alex. You should give us the recipe and we’ll post it. This whole business of curdling cream has me grossed out. The half a Car Bomb dose not curdle. I have it on the rocks and it is delightful. No curdling. So I’m not sure I could get behind a drink that has to be slammed to avoid curdling. It just sounds gross. And imagine what it does in your stomach. Yuck!
A quick search led me to this, which looks exactly like the version I’ve had: http://www.rachelleb.com/2010/02/25/irish-car-bomb-cupcakes/
I can support the half-Car Bomb idea, now that I think about it. I’d just have Guinness on the side, since I love the flavor combination.
I’m still worried about curdling. I don’t think that would be good to have curdled cream and alcohol combined. I assume it can curdle in your stomach like it would combined out side your body, no?
I’m also going to put this recipe up tomorrow! Thanks.
I’ve never had issues with after stomach effects and I have had as many as 3-4 of these (in my far younger days!). They’re suprisingly light in my opinion. I don’t take them often anymore and if I do I certainly limit myself to one. If everyone’s taking shots and I feel like a shot, I prefer a car-bomb to most any other.
Good to know Greg. I may try one just to say I have done so. 🙂
Reminds me of when my wife ordered me a “cement mixer” when we first started dating. It was some kind of Bailey’s, lime and liquor concoction that curdled in your mouth, creating an awful cement or oatmeal like texture.
Of course she thought it was hilarious, and that night I decided to punish her forever by marrying her. 🙂
Wow, was the whole marriage thing really called for? 😉
Oh yeah, she totally had it coming!
I love Irish Car Bombs, and the slamming of them, it can make fun competition amongst friends. However, I understand if you do not enjoy slamming back drinks in such a manner.
On a related note, there is a British pub near wear I live that sells a drink they call “The Celtic Warrior”. They layer Strongbow and Guinness like a black and tan (Guinness on top) and then add a shot of Jameson. This is a drink that can be drank at a moderate pace and is quite delicious.
Thanks for contributing Alex. The Celtic Warrior sounds like it is much more my pace. And it does sound delicious too.
Sounds like The Coat of Arms in Portsmouth, NH?
Think of it like an oyster. you slam those back but still savor the flavor. a carbomb’s flavor eminates from within. and like an oyster has been known to increase libido. the best part of the carbomb, though, is the race, which I wouldn’t recommend with oysters.
I’ll defer to your mastery of the subject Justin. Also when you shoot oysters it isn’t 12 ozs at a time, that would be gross!
Yo Don!
I go for the glass of Guinness with the half a car bomb on the side. Life is going by way too quickly to be slamming drinks. Gotta savor the moments AND the fine beverages.
And here’s a wee Irish toast in honor of good ole St. Pat…
Saint Patrick was a gentleman,
Who through strategy and stealth,
Drove all the snakes from Ireland,
Here’s a toasting to his health.
But not too many toastings
Lest you lose yourself and then
Forget the good Saint Patrick
And see all those snakes again.
‘Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!’
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Slainte Mhath!
G-LO
Finally a voice of reason that sees things my way! Have a great Holiday G-Lo!
Thanks Don! The boys are planning some whisky by the fire tomorrow night in honor of St. Pat’s. Should be interesting. If only Thursday were really Friday.
Erin Go Bragh!
My guess is there are more than a few people that take Friday off this week! Gotta love people planning their days off around drinking! 🙂
Ah such a good question, I wish u could sip a car bomb but unfortunately when mixed it begins to in culinary parlance. “Break ” some would say curdle. And becomes chunky and very unpleasant to drink. Do I enjoy all the elements of a car bomb individually yes but there is something fun and high spirited to yell Slainte’ and give the customary glass tap to honor those who drank before us then slam down the bomb.
I could see the whole spirit of the day playing into it. If I was around a lot of people drinking Car Bombs, I would probably do so myself, but to just say order one while out for the night, probably not. I guess it goes back to the moment, and what feels appropriate. I need to try a whole Car Bomb so I know what the flavor profile is that I am missing. I would think that could lead to a more informed perspective for myself.
Try the other half… Put a shot of Jamison in your Guinness and forget the Bailey’s… It’s an Irish boiler maker and it is delicious…
Hmmm…Sounds interesting. I will give that a try sir!
some bartenders will make the carbomb this way. Make the boilermaker and then drop in the baileys. I prefer it that way, but it’s arguable which is more traditional.
That sounds like sixes, however it gets in there. Have a great day today Greg!
I’ve had a few car bombs in my day. I’m Scottish…we’re cousins…close enough, dang it! Anyway, the point being: they’re GOOD! Tasty. Heavy. Sweet but in a hoppy way. It does tend to change textures a bit, but I’ve never had one get “chunky” as some other folks have suggested. Think of it more like what happens when you pour rootbeer over soft icecream. The flavor and texture are comparable. My trick is to slam the first half, then drink the rest at my leisure. Keeps the glass from having that elementary-school-science-project-volcano experience and still lets you enjoy the drink.
I don’t think I could do that personally Evie. However if you like them that way more power to you. I’m glad you enjoy your Car Bombs, and I will give one a try soon, but I’m pretty sure I will go back to my half a Car Bomb for regular drinking on occasion.