Allegedly created in Calgary, Alberta back in 1977, the B-52 became a staple of the 80's counter culture that rebelled against the Wall Street Suits and the conservative Suzy Homemaker persona. Their rebellious decadence and emphasis on color and aesthetics was a physical mantra of big hair, blue eyeliner, skin tight acid wash jeans and glitter (and that was just the guys) became an iconic style of that era. And that personal style transcended down to their neon colored fingernails and into cocktails.

Back in the day you could order colorful and lethal cocktails like the Red Death, Alabama Slammer, Blue Hurricane, Sex on the Beach and let's not forget the still popular Long Island Iced Tea and not get an annoyed eye roll from your local bartender as these cocktails were the paradigm of the 80's drinking trend. The B-52 was the most involved (when prepared properly, the ingredients separate into three distinctly visible layers) and the most visually stunning of its cocktail cohorts which was over compensation for it's lack of potency.

As the 90's decommercialized America with flannel and heroin chic flat hair, the B-52 successfully survived the transition into the new decade. However, totaling only 44 proof, the traditional B-52 consisting of Kahlua, Bailey's and Grand Marnier was in need of a percent by volume make over. Over time bartenders have added their own twists to the B-52 by interchanging some of the sweeter ingredients with harder spirits like tequila, whiskey and Bacardi 151. Having chosen ingredients based on their relative densities, these mini transformations have spawned what is known today as the B-50 series. A throw back to the 80's indeed but be thankful it was a cocktail that survived and not acid wash denim or neon leggings. 

Layer spirits in a shot or sherri glass in order over the back of a bar spoon or Maraschino cherry.

B-28

1 oz Bailey's
1/3 oz Kahlua
1/3 oz Amaretto
1/3 oz butterscotch schnapps

B-51

1/3 oz Bailey's
1/3 oz Kahlua
1/3 oz Frangelico

B-52

1/3 shot Kahlua
1/3 shot Amaretto
1/3 shot Bailey's

B-53

1/3 shot Kahlua
1/3 shot Sambuca
1/3 shot Grand Marnier

B-54

1/2 oz Bailey's
1/2 oz green creme de menthe
1/2 oz Grand Marnier
1/2 oz Kahlua

B-55

1/3 oz Kahlua
1/3 oz Bailey's
1/3 oz Tuaca citrus liqueur

B-56

1/2 oz Rum
1/2 oz Absinthe
1/2 oz Kahlua

B-57

1/2 oz Bailey's

1/2 oz Kahlua

1/2 oz peppermint schnapps

B-58

1/3 oz Kahlua

1/3 oz Bailey's

1/3 Bacardi 151

Ignite 151 layer prior to drinking.

B-59

1/3 oz Kahlua

1/3 oz Bailey's

1/3 oz Tequila

B-69

1 oz vodka
1 oz Bailey's
1 oz Grand Marnier
1 oz Kahlua
1 oz Amaretto

Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass or serve over ice.

While all bartenders should know how to make the traditional B-52, it is bartending 101 afterall, not all tenders may know the variants by name. If you see one you'd like to try it's a good idea to have it handy just in case. Here are some awesome old school bars to check out; if not for the B-50 series just in general for a cool place to hang.

Birds

5925 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.465.0175

Formosa Café

7156 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.850.9050

Good Luck Bar

1514 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.666.3524

The Rainbow Bar and Grill

9015 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, California; Tel. 310.278.4232