Buttery Nipple Shot Recipe (with Rum Floater)

Beverages

How to Make a Buttery Nipple – This classic shot recipe includes butterscotch schnapps and Irish cream, plus a rum floater on top for a sweet, rich layered cocktail with a kick!

close view buttery nipple shot glass with layers

The Best Buttery Nipple Shot Recipe

If the name of this recipe makes you crack a smile, know that you are not alone. Go ahead, get the giggles out now – you know you want to!

Whew, ok.

Now, get ready to meet your new favorite party drink: A classic Buttery Nipple is a layered alcoholic beverage that includes Butterscotch liqueur (hence the name buttery) such as schnapps, plus Irish Cream liqueur.

It’s a sweet (and saucily named) shot that is perfect for the holidays. And if there was ever a time for shots, New Years Eve is the day. This deceptively simple and tasty shot cocktail offers smooth sipping (or knocking back) even for the light drinker.

Traditional Buttery Nipples include 1 oz Butterscotch Schnapps + ½ oz Irish cream on top. However, we’ve changed the recipe up a bit by tweaking the proportions and adding a rum floater for a sweet cocktail that packs a punch…

top view five shot glasses with buttery nipple coctails

Ingredients You Need

3/4 ounce Butterscotch schnapps – or other butterscotch liquor
1/2 ounce Irish cream – we love the original Bailey’s Irish Cream
1/2 ounce Aged white rum – or vodka, if you prefer

bottles of alcohol: irish cream, butterscotch schnapps, and aged rum

How to Make a Buttery Nipple with Rum Floater

For each shot, chill a 2-ounce shot glass. Chill the Irish cream as well. (This helps the layers to form properly.)

Once cold, measure and pour the butterscotch schnapps into the glass.

Use a cocktail spoon to gently pour the Irish cream over the schnapps in a separate layer. To do this, place the spoon right at the level of the top of the schnapps. Then slowly pour the Irish cream over the spoon so it stays separate from the schnapps.

adding irish cream to the butterscotch schnapps in a shot glass

Get the Complete (Printable) Buttery Nipple Cocktail Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!

adding aged rum to the layered butterscotch schnapps and irish cream

Pour the rum floater over the spoon to create a third layer on top of the Irish cream.

adding rum floater to the buttery nipple shot

How to Make This a Buttery Nipple Cocktail Recipe

For a more sip-able drink, you can easily prepare this recipe as a full cocktail.

Add the butterscotch schnapps, Irish cream, and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake well, and strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.

Now add the rum to create a top layer. Like when you make a single shot, slowly pour the liquor onto the back of a spoon and into the glass. Let the rum sit on top of the drink, and enjoy!

close view of completed shot recipe ready to serve

Recipe Tips

This shot or cocktail is best when made with cold ingredients. Be sure the Irish cream is chilled, and we also suggest that you chill the shot or cocktail glass before making the drink.
Some people like to pour it over the back of the spoon or even down the handle. You may want to make a “practice shot” so you find your perfect pouring technique. Just know, the colder the Irish cream is, and the slower you pour the neater the layers will be.
The ingredients are layered in this order so they stay separate. If you try to put the rum in a lower layer, the Irish cream will not stay separted on top.
As-is this recipe is for one layered shot. Use these proportions to make as many buttery nipple cocktails as you need.

two hands each with a shot glass cheers-ing

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