The B-52 is a layered shot composed of coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and orange liqueur (Grand Marnier). It was invented in 1977 by Peter Fich, a bartender at the Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada. Fich named all of his new drinks after his favorite bands, and the B-52 was named after the New Athens, Georgia, band The B-52s, not the US long-range bomber aircraft as many assume. The shot is famous for its three distinct layers, which are achieved by carefully pouring the ingredients over the back of a spoon. This works because of the different densities of the liquids: the heavy coffee liqueur stays at the bottom, the medium Irish cream in the middle, and the lighter orange liqueur on top. It is sometimes served as a 'Flaming B-52' by igniting the top layer of alcohol.