‘Irish Car Bomb’ pie sells out at popular New York food market

Controversially-named drink continues in popularity

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LAURA BRYN SISSON,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

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‘Irish Car Bomb’ pie by Cutie Pies NYC

Photo by Alice Cronin

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Even at this stage, the pie solves the problem with the original alcoholic drink (besides its racist, offensive name): the drink curdles and can’t be savored slowly, but the creamy pie encourages lingering.

The flavor combination has prompted many to translate the drink into a baked good; the second Google suggestion for ‘irish car bomb’ is ‘Irish car bomb cupcakes,’ followed by ‘Irish car bomb cake.’

Since Cronin bakes some personal-sized pies, she monitors cupcake trends, which is where she got the idea for the ‘Irish Car Bomb’ pie, she said. She debuted it Saturday to coincide with Smorgasburg’s celebration of National Ice Cream day.

Despite the name’s offensiveness to many, the ‘Irish Car Bomb’ remains one of the most popular ‘bomber’ cocktails in the US. It has spawned many variations, including the ‘Belfast Bomber,’ which adds Kahlua to the regular lineup of Guinness-Baileys-Jameson.

Willie Frazer, spokesman for Fair, an IRA victims group, has stated that “It is disgusting that IRA car bombs which killed and maimed so many in Northern Ireland are being trivialized or celebrated in this way,” IrishCentral previously reported.

"I would have expected Americans, of all people, to behave more sensitively and responsibly. How would they like it if we developed the Al-Qaeda car bomb, the Twin Towers cocktail, or the 9/11 ice-cream sundae?"

The bartender who allegedly invented the drink in 1979, Charles Burke Cronin Oat, has apologized for the name he gave his creation, IrishCentral previously reported. 

"Of course today I would take that name back. Of course—there's no question about it," Oat said.

When I studied in Dublin, one of my most ill-informed American friends ordered an ‘Irish Car Bomb’ at The Bleeding Horse on Camden St.

“You’ll have to go to Belfast for that!” the bartender snarled.

But regardless of the deserved outcry, most seem to vote with their wallets and palates, perpetuating the name in pursuit of the taste.

Cronin’s pie is an excellent new vehicle for the flavors, allowing the creaminess of the Baileys to come through in a way that neither a cake nor the drink itself allow. The pie was so popular that she said she’ll keep baking it—stop by Smorgasburg or Brooklyn Flea on weekends to try a slice.

Check out our photo gallery on the ‘Irish Car Bomb’ drink and commercial phenomenon here:

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