Alaskan Duck Fart (Yucky Name, Yummy Shot) Recipe

Gathering the ingredients for an Alaskan Duck Fart

This shot only requires three ingredients that you might already have in your home bar. First, you'll need coffee liqueur; Kahlúa is the most popular choice, but any coffee-flavored liqueur will suffice. Next, you'll want Baileys Irish Cream, although you can substitute it with another Irish cream liqueur if you prefer, though there's really no compelling reason to do so. The final component is whiskey, which offers the most flexibility for substitutions. Any smooth, neutral-tasting whiskey will work, but to stay true to the classic Duck Fart, we suggest using Crown Royal, a Canadian whiskey.

Step 1: Pour the first layer

Pour Kahlúa into a shot glass.

Step 2: Pour the second layer

Position a bar spoon diagonally in the glass, so it rests just above the Kahlúa. Gently pour the Irish cream over the spoon, allowing it to flow into the drink.

Step 3: Pour the final layer

Maintain the bar spoon in its current position and gently pour the whiskey over the spoon and into the glass, allowing it to layer on top of the cream.

Step 4: Serve

Serve right away.

Why are the layers in my Alaskan duck fart shot mixing together?

You've just poured your second and third layers, and now you're left with a rather unattractive, muddy-looking shot glass. We’ve all been there; it’s trickier than it seems. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t toss the drink out completely—simply transfer it to a rocks glass and add some ice to enjoy it as a cocktail.

The key to successfully layering liqueurs is to hold the bar spoon at the perfect angle, allowing the liquid to spread over a larger surface area and float atop the previous layer instead of sinking. To achieve this in a small glass, position the bar spoon diagonally, with the tip resting against the side of the glass and just slightly touching the previous layer. Pour the liquid as slowly as possible over the back of the spoon, letting it drizzle down and across the drink. As long as you pour slowly, steadily, and over the back of the spoon, the layers will form beautifully. And remember, don’t try to rearrange the layers—the floating effect relies on the density of each liquid, which can vary significantly based on their alcohol content.

Why is it called an Alaskan duck fart?

Numerous theories and tales exist regarding the true origin of the duck fart shot. While it's likely that bartenders had concocted similar drinks before, the tradition took hold in Alaska, along with its amusing name. According to the Anchorage Press, bartender Dave Schmidt crafted the shot at a bar named Peanut Farm on a snowy December day in late 1987. Legend has it that a 70-year-old woman entered the bar and, due to the slow business, began collaborating with Schmidt to invent new drink combinations. After trying the layered drink topped with whiskey, she emitted a distinct sound—a muffled burp that resembled, well, a duck fart.

And just like that, the name was born, or so the story goes; some residents of Oregon also claim the name, albeit with far less captivating tales. As for us, we believe the Alaskans deserve to take credit for this one.

What's the difference between an Alaskan duck fart shot and a B-52?

While you may have never come across an Alaskan duck fart in nature (what a strange notion!), you might be more acquainted with a similar shooter called a B-52. Much like the Alaskan duck fart, a B-52 shot features three distinct layers. In fact, two of those layers are identical: you begin by pouring Kahlúa (or another coffee liqueur), then gently layer Baileys Irish Cream on top. The final component of a B-52 is not whiskey, but Grand Marnier, an orange liqueur mixed with cognac. The outcome is a shot that is slightly sweeter than the Alaskan duck fart, with a citrus flavor that enhances the coffee and vanilla notes of the other ingredients.

A popular variation of the B-52 is the flaming B-52, where the bartender floats some overproof alcohol on top of the shot and ignites it for a dramatic effect. You could certainly add some fire to this mix as well, but the term "flaming Alaskan duck fart" sounds, well, quite terrifying.