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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Brits are 'drinking Baby Guinness wrong' as hidden meaning is revealed
Many people enjoy a cheeky baby Guinness as it's a easy to drink, full of flavour drink - but the drink was made for a specific reason and many Brit's don't know. People are only just realising the true meaning behind the popular shot Baby Guinness. It's the cheeky little 'pint' that's popped up on countless birthdays, bar crawls and bottomless brunches but the viral Baby Guinness shot actually has a much sweeter backstory than most people realise. The miniature drink, made with coffee liqueur and Irish cream to look like a pint of stout, has seen a huge surge in popularity online. There are now more than 41,000 monthly searches for it, and it's even been named in the UK's top 50 cocktails despite technically being a shot. It comes after a mum claimed 'I accidentally named baby after dog food brand and I don't know what to do'. But according to Jonathan Sitson, founder of cream chargers supplier Quick Whip, it wasn't dreamed up for Instagram. 'It looks cheeky and fun, but it began as a very low-key toast to new life,' says Jonathan. "It was originally served to new and expectant fathers at a pub near one of Dublin's maternity hospitals. It was the perfect way to toast a new arrival alongside a full-sized pint of the stout." The drink is believed to date back to the late 1980s, in a now-closed Dublin pub called The Waxies' Dargle, near the Rotunda Hospital. As the story goes, publican Stephen Daly created it for new dads a shot of dark coffee liqueur topped with Irish cream, made to resemble a celebratory pint in miniature. Even though there's no stout in it at all, Daly affectionately named it the 'Baby Guinness'. The tradition quickly caught on, with hospital staff recommending it to fathers-to-be as a light-hearted way to mark the occasion. How to make a Baby Guinness at home Despite its pub origins, you only need two ingredients and a steady hand: 25ml coffee liqueur (like Tia Maria or Kahlua) 12.5ml Irish cream (like Baileys) Chilled shot glass and a bar spoon Pour the coffee liqueur into the shot glass, then slowly layer the Irish cream on top by pouring it over the back of a spoon until it looks like a perfect little pint. 'The trick is to chill your liqueurs in advance and pour the cream very slowly,' Jonathan adds. 'A curved bar spoon makes all the difference.
Daily Mail
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The heartwarming origins behind Baby Guinness shots - and it wasn't created to fuel wild nights out!
The coffee liqueur and Irish cream shot has become a must-have on birthdays, bar crawls, and bottomless brunches alike- but its origins are heartwarming. According to Jonathan Sitson, founder of cream chargers supplier Quick Whip, Baby Guinness wasn't invented by accident, and has a real purpose many Brits won't realise. The party favourite shot, which resembles a miniature pint of Guinness, wasn't created to fuel wild nights or bottomless binges- its beginnings are surprisingly wholesome. 'It looks cheeky and fun, but it began as a very low-key toast to new life,' revealed Jonathan. 'It was originally served to new and expectant fathers at a pub near one of Dublin's maternity hospitals. It was the perfect way to toast a new arrival alongside a full-sized pint of the stout.' The shot is believed to date back to the late 1980s in a now-closed Dublin pub called The Waxies' Dargle, located near the Rotunda Hospital. As local legend goes, publican Stephen Daly created a signature drink for new fathers, a shot of dark coffee liqueur, topped with a float of Irish cream, made to resemble a celebratory pint of Guinness in miniature. Though the drink contains no stout, he dubbed it the 'Baby Guinness' in a quiet, affectionate nod to the occasion. Word spread among hospital staff, who began recommending it to new or expectant fathers as a lighthearted way to mark the moment. And just like that, a tiny ritual was born. Despite its name, it's not made with any beer at all. The drink is all about visual trickery, and the key is in the layering. 'The trick is to chill your liqueurs in advance and pour the cream very slowly, a curved bar spoon makes all the difference', Jonathan added. In Ireland, it became tradition for fathers to 'wet the baby's head' after the birth of their child. Despite the name, no baby is actually involved in getting wet. Instead, it's a social ritual where the father, and often close friends and family, head to the pub to raise a glass in honour of the newborn. The phrase 'wetting the baby's head' is believed to date back centuries, and while its precise origin is hard to pin down, it likely has roots in baptismal customs, where a baby's head is literally 'wetted' during a christening. Over time, though, the meaning shifted from a religious ceremony to a more informal, celebratory first drink in honour of the baby's arrival. It's within this spirit that drinks like the Baby Guinness are said to have found their way into the tradition. It comes after Guinness expert Jonathan revealed the correct way to 'split the G' in its signature pint glass. The popular party trick challenges drinkers to swig enough beer so that the bottom of the Guinness' foam aligns with the bottom of the 'G' in the glass' logo - and they have to do it in a single sip. The beloved party trick challenge involves drinking the stout until you think the line of liquid has reached the correct spot. In one gulp, without pausing to look, you then stop and then look to find out if you drink lines up with the target - but what does that really mean? For years, many thought the goal was to get the division between the beer and foam halfway through the 'G' on the Guinness logo. Elsewhere, others thought it had to stop at the bottom of the harp on the glass. Jonathan, whipped cream expert at Quick Whip, has shared written confirmation from Guinness owners, Diageo on the right answer. 'The only correct way to Split the G would be when your first uninterrupted sip lines up with the line on the G and E,' the company confirmed. This information will no doubt surprise the many people across the UK and Ireland who have spent years trying to reach the bottom of the harp, and the top of the logo mark. Jonathan went on to reveal a step-by-step guide on how to master the perfect G split. He explained: 'Start with a properly chilled pint in a clean, tilted glass, then take a deliberate, uninterrupted gulp, aiming to precisely align the foam's edge with the horizontal line of the G and the E. 'Maintain a steady pace to achieve a clean and even split. Practice makes perfect, so if you fail, don't worry. It's just an excuse to get yourself another lovely creamy pint and try again! But always make sure you drink responsibly, or try a Guinness 0.0.' While this is a trend that started in the pubs of Ireland many years ago, it has recently exploded on social media, where platforms like TikTok and Instagram have amplified the challenge. Experts first noticed the trend in 2017, and it then spread from London and Ireland to the US. Guinness drinkers who have participated in the trends have taken pictures or videos for social media to prove they completed the task. Niall Horan and Ed Sheeran also attempted to 'split the G' in August 2024, and while the 'Shape of You' singer was able to do it, the Irish former One Direction member could not. American actor John Cena later admitted he was 'ignorant' when it came to his attempt at 'splitting the G' this year. Cena claimed it was 'heavy' and 'tough to drink' but insisted a Guinness beer was his 'drink of choice' during an August 2024 interview. Other celebrities who showed their love for Guinness include Olivia Rodrigo and Kim Kardashian during a trip to Dublin last year. Every year, people across the world drink more than 13 million pints of Guinness on average. Guinness was created after Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease on a brewery in Ireland in 1759.
Tom's Guide
24-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
How to create the best DIY iced coffee and save on coffee house prices
Nothing stops me from enjoying a delicious cup of joe in the morning. I crave that caffeine fix that sets me up for the day and keeps me alert when I'm working. However, when the heat ramps up, I can't quite face sipping a steaming cup of coffee, and I turn to a cooler alternative instead. With temperatures reaching close to 30°C (86°F) in the U.K. and above 80°F in the U.S., it's time to swap my regular hot AeroPress brew for an iced coffee. And rather than relying on my local coffee shop to come up with the goods, I can enjoy a tasty iced coffee at home, all thanks to this hack, and at a fraction of the price. And according to coffee expert Jonathan Sitson, founder of beverage tools supplier Quick Whip, the trick to the perfect iced coffee isn't in the brew, but in the cubes. 'Coffee ice cubes are a simple way to keep iced coffee cold without watering it down," Sitson says. "Unlike regular ice, they melt into more coffee, rather than weak, flavorless liquid. They're also a clever way to use up leftover brew.' TikTok user Ashley Aquilo @avisualtheory says she wishes she had known about this game-changing hack sooner. And now, with guidance from Sitson, you can enjoy an extra tasty iced coffee, too. This 3-pack of large silicon ice cube trays come with leak proof, removable lids, in pink, green and blue colorways. Each tray holds 6 cubes and measures 1.9 inch cubed. 1. Sitson recommends using any coffee you like, although he says a cold brew works especially well due to its smooth flavor and low bitterness. What's more, you don't need to rely on one of the best coffee makers to make a cold brew, as you can make a cold brew at home without any fancy equipment. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. 2. He recommends aiming for a slightly stronger brew than your usual coffee fix, and says that a 1:14 coffee-to-water ratio holds up well after freezing. 3. Allow the coffee to cool before pouring into ice cube trays, as this makes it easier to handle and avoids damaging your tray. 4. Keep your coffee plain. Sitson advises avoiding adding milk or sugar until after freezing, as plain black coffee freezes best. 5. When pouring the coffee into the mold, leave a little space at the top, especially if your coffee is warm. This allows for any expansion during freezing. 6. Keep your molds in a refrigerator overnight (or for at least 3-4 hours). Once frozen, remove the iced coffee cubes and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. This will prevent them from becoming stale and absorbing any freezer odors. 7. For the best flavor, Sitson recommends using the coffee cubes within two weeks. 8. To serve, just drop the cubes into a glass and pour your iced coffee over the top. To extend the chill factor, Sitson recommends using a larger cube tray and an insulated cup, adding, 'You'll get up to an hour of perfect iced coffee.' You could try Ninja's Sip Perfect Travel Mug, $45 at Amazon. It not only keeps your beverage hot, but it also keeps it cool, making it perfect for iced coffee on the go or to keep your drink chilled at your desk. Plus, if you desire extra flavour in your iced coffee, Sitson says, 'Try adding a splash of syrup or a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg before freezing.'
Metro
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
The origin story of Baby Guinness reveals you've been doing the shots all wrong
Whether you're at a hen do, birthday party, bottomless brunch or just on a random night out, the Baby Guinness has become a go-to drink for many. And if you've never heard of it, no, it's not actually Guinness. The miniature 'pint' is made with coffee liqueur and topped with a layer of Irish cream – the combination of which looks just like the classic Irish stout. It can be made in several different ways, with a base of either Kahlua, Tia Maria or Patron XO Cafe, but no matter which version you prefer, you might be surprised to learn that you've probably been drinking it wrong. With new research revealing that a third of Brits now enjoy shooters like Baby Guinness on a night out, it's about time we did a deep dive into its origins. Here's everything you need to know… 'It looks cheeky and fun, but Baby Guinness began as a very low-key toast to new life,' claims Jonathan Sitson, the founder of Quick Whip, which helps people craft bar-quality drinks. The tipple is thought to date back to the late 1980s and, of course, like its larger namesake, it comes from Ireland. It's creation is often attributed to a now-closed pub in Dublin, known as The Waxies Dargle, which was located next to the Rotunda Maternity Hospital. It is said to have been served to new parents, particularly fathers, alongside a regular pint of Guinness, as a fun way to toast the arrival of their baby. If this story is true, then that means the name is not only a reference to its lookalike beverage, but also a nod to the little ones it was used to celebrate. More Trending So really, to keep the tradition alive, you shouldn't be cracking out the Baby Guinness whenever you feel like it, but saving it for a special occasion like welcoming a newborn into the world. Ingredients: 25ml coffee liqueur (e.g. Tia Maria or Kahlua) 12.5ml Irish cream (e.g. Baileys) Chilled shot glass Bar spoon (or the back of a teaspoon) Method: Pour the coffee liqueur into a shot glass. Slowly layer the Irish cream on top by pouring it over the back of a spoon. The result should resemble a perfect tiny pint of stout — rich, creamy, and photo-ready. View More » 'The trick is to chill your liqueurs in advance and pour the cream very slowly,' Jonathan adds. 'And a curved bar spoon makes all the difference.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Irish musician and comedian cancels all of his gigs for the year MORE: We tried London's 'incredibly chic' fried chicken – this is how it compares to KFC MORE: Teacher drank alcohol in class and got pupils to do the Macarena, tribunal told Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
