Shots Archives - A Beautiful Mess

Gingerbread Shot

Elsie Larson — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:05:00 +0000

This shot recipe tastes just like a gingerbread cookie. It’s the perfect blend of butterscotch schnapps, fireball and heavy cream. Mix all that with some gingerbread syrup for a sweet, spiced shot recipe.

Ingredients

Fireball – Cinnamon Whiskey.
Buttershots – Butterscotch Schnapps.
Heavy Cream – Or Half and Half.
Gingerbread Syrup – Make homemade gingerbread syrup or pick up a bottle.

Optional Garnish: I garnished the shot glasses with a bit of buttercream icing and crumbled gingerbread cookies. You can also use festive sprinkles as your rim garnish.

Equipment Needed: I used my go-to set of tall shot glasses for this recipe. You will also need a cocktail shaker of some kind. If you don’t own a cocktail shaker, you can use a sealed jar or even a water bottle as a shaker.

How to Make

Gather your ingredients. For this recipe, you’ll need Fireball whiskey, butterscotch schnapps, heavy cream and gingerbread syrup.

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake for 15 seconds until icy cold.

Pour your shot into a shot glass and serve immediately.

Next up, I will go over the garnish instructions.

If you’re planning to garnish your shot glass with a gingerbread crumb rim, go ahead and crumble one cookie. My favorite way to do this is to throw it into a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush it.

To rim your shot glass, use some buttercream icing to rim the top and then dip it into the gingerbread crumbles.

Tips for Making

More garnish ideas – I think these would be so cute with a garnish of colorful sprinkles. You could save your leftover sprinkles from a cookie making session to use here.
If you make a batch of gingerbread syrup, be sure to also try our gingerbread latte. I think it would also be delicious in tea or a gingerbread steamer for kids (milk and a little gingerbread syrup, steamed).
If you want to make these shots ahead, you can save a pre-made mixture in a bottle in your fridge, but don’t add ice until you are ready to shake and serve them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s in a Gingerbread Shot?

Washington Apple Shot

Elsie Larson — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 13:08:00 +0000

Let’s learn to make a Washington Apple Shot. This recipe tastes just like a fresh, crisp apple. It’s one of the tastiest shot recipes I have ever tried. It’s a scaled down version of a Washington Apple cocktail. We’ll teach you to make a full-sized cocktail in addition to the shot.

More shot recipes: Green Tea Shot, Lemon Drop Shot, Chocolate Cake Shot, White Tea Shot, Mexican Candy Shot, Scooby Snack Shot, Jolly Rancher Shot.

Ingredients in a Washington Apple Shot

Canadian Whiskey – I used Crown Royal.
Sour Apple Schnapps – (Also called sour apple pucker or sour apple liqueur) gives your drink a lot of apple flavor.
Cranberry Juice – Makes the drink red. Chilled juice is best.
Club Soda – Just a splash at the end for a bit of sparkle.

I used my favorite decorative shot glasses to serve this drink.

Directions

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine the Canadian whiskey, apple schnapps and cranberry juice.

Shake for 10-15 seconds.

Pour into a shot glass and top with a splash of club soda. Cheers!

How to make a Washington Apple Cocktail

To turn this shot recipe into a sippable cocktail, simply double the recipe and serve it into a martini glass instead of a shot glass. This recipe is so tasty—I think it’s great as a full-sized cocktail.

Tips for Making

A chilled shot glass makes any shot more magical, as does a sugared rim.
If you don’t have Canadian whisky on hand, you can substitute for a different type of whiskey.
If you don’t enjoy the sour aspect of sour apple schnapps, you can replace it with a sweeter apple liqueur or apple flavored brandy.
I like the tartness and color the cranberry juice adds, but if you use apple juice instead you can create a green apple shot.
Garnish with an apple slice if you like.

History of a Washington Apple Shot

Washington state is home to some of the most beautiful apple orchards in the U.S. In the late 1980s, a bug destroyed most of Washington state’s apple orchards. A man named Christof Guycoogan had the idea to distill the ruined apples into an apple liqueur. He mixed the resulting liqueur with his favorite drink, Canadian whiskey and cranberry juice, and the Washington Apple Cocktail (and shot) were born!

More Apple Recipes to Try

If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a 5 star review. Don’t forget to use our printable recipe card.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Washington Apple Drink and Shot?

Apple Pie Shot

Elsie Larson — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:09:00 +0000

Celebrate the start of the best season of the year with our Apple Pie Shot recipe. This tasty dessert shot is made using apple cider, vanilla vodka, cinnamon whiskey and whipped cream. It’s the perfect fall drink. This shot tastes just like a slice of apple pie—get ready for some magical fall flavors!

More Fall Shot Recipes: Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot, Chocolate Cake Shot, Oatmeal Cookie Shot, Appletini.

Ingredients in an Apple Pie Shot

Apple Cider – Fresh or bottled are both great for this recipe. You may also use apple juice mixed with some pumpkin pie spice if you don’t have apple cider on hand.
Vanilla Vodka – Adds a bit of vanilla flavor to our shot.
Cinnamon Whiskey – Such as Fireball whiskey gives a nice cinnamon flavor.
Whipped Cream – An optional garnish.
Cinnamon Stick – Another optional (and very cute!) garnish idea.

Bar Tools Needed

You will need a cocktail shaker and a shot glass for this recipe. I actually used brandy/whiskey glasses, which are larger than an average shot glass. They work well for a dessert shot like this with whipped cream and garnish.

Instructions

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine the apple cider, vanilla vodka and cinnamon whiskey. Shake for 10-15 seconds until well chilled.

Strain and pour into a shot glass.

Garnish with whipped cream. Optionally, add a stick of cinnamon and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or pumpkin spice if you like.

Tips for Making

When to Serve – This is a great shot idea for a fall party such as a bonfire or a dinner party. This is also a great recipe to serve at Thanksgiving and holiday parties. It’s festive and cozy.
Mason Jar – If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can use a mason jar.
Hot Apple Pie Shots – You can heat these shots and serve them warm (I would use an espresso mug instead of a shot glass to serve). You only need a little heat—do not bring it to a full boil.
Apple Pie Cocktail – To turn this shot into an apple pie drink, simply double the recipe and serve it in a mug (warm) or a cocktail glass (chilled). I love it as a shot, but it makes a great larger cocktail as well.
Garnish Ideas – Use an apple slice, a sprinkle of cinnamon or other warm spices like a star anise as your garnish.

More Autumn Recipes

Autumn Meal Ideas – Turkey Chili, Best Stuffing Recipe, Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Autumn Cocktails – Old Fashioned Cocktail, Hot Toddy, Brandy Alexander
Pumpkin Recipes – Pumpkin Muffins, Pumpkin Cake, Pumpkin Butter
Apple Recipes – Caramel Apples, Apple Dumplings, Apple Pie Bars
Kids Recipes for Autumn – Harry Potter Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in an Apple Pie Shot?

Peanut Butter and Jelly Shot

Elsie Larson — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 13:05:00 +0000

This pb&j shot is a tasty recipe that tastes just like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The combination of peanut butter whiskey and raspberry liqueur creates a convincing replica of the famous childhood treat. Garnish with a teeny, tiny peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich for Martha Stewart-level bonus points.

More shots and cocktails: Gummy Bear Shot, Green Tea Shot, Jello Shots, Blow Job Shot, More Shot Recipes.

Ingredients in peanut butter whiskey shots

Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey – Or another peanut butter whiskey.
Chambord Liqueur – Or any raspberry or berry flavored liqueur.

You will also need a cocktail shaker and a shot glass to complete this recipe.

How to Make

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine equal parts Skrewball whiskey and fruit liqueur.

Shake 10-15 seconds until icy cold.

Strain the shot mixture into a shot glass. Enjoy immediately.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cocktail

This shot makes an excellent cocktail to sip as well. Simply double the recipe and strain it into a cocktail glass rather than a shot glass and enjoy!

Tips for Making

Choose a grape liqueur for a grape jelly flavor or raspberry to simulate raspberry jam flavor. Strawberry liqueur would be a great choice as well.
If you want to make a jello shot version, try mixing Skrewball whiskey with grape and strawberry jello.
If you need to substitute the screwball peanut butter whiskey, try Frangelico (which is hazelnut liqueur) instead. Some recipes also use Frangelico combined with Irish cream liqueur (such as Bailey’s).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients are in a peanut butter and jelly shot?

Gummy Bear Shot

Elsie Larson — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 13:09:00 +0000

The Gummy Bear shot is an adorable novelty shot recipe that tastes just a gummy bear. This recipe is inspired by a favorite childhood candy with an adult twist. This is the perfect playful shot recipe to make for your next celebration.

Create this iconic candy-inspired shot using a mix of fruity liquors. Your friends will love this cute shot.

More shot and drink recipes: Lemon Drop Shot, Green Tea Shot, Basic Jello Shots, Chocolate Cake Shots, Mexican Candy Shots, Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shots, Jolly Rancher Shot.

Ingredients in a Gummy Bear Shot

Cherry Vodka – The base of your drink.
Peach Schapps – Adds a nice peach flavor to your shot.
Pineapple Juice – Adds more tropical flavor to this recipe.
Lemon-Lime Soda – Such as Sprite. Just a splash to add some bubbles.
Gummy Bears – Are an optional garnish (and so cute!)

I served my shots in these simple shot glasses along with my favorite brand of gummy bears.

Vodka Gummy Bears

To take this recipe to the next level, make vodka soaked gummy bears to use as a garnish. Soak gummy bears in vodka at room temperature for 8 hours, or overnight. Remove excess vodka and use the new (plumper) vodka gummy bears as garnish for this shot.

Instructions

In a cocktail shaker, combine one ounce cherry vodka and one ounce peach schnapps. Next, add pineapple juice and ice.

Shake for 10-15 seconds.

Pour into a shot glass and add a splash of lemon-lime soda.

Add a gummy bear for garnish. I added one to the edge of each glass (cut a slit in the bottom using a knife). You can also add gummy bears to the inside of your shot if you wish—it’s totally optional.

Tips & Tricks for Making

For a white gummy bear shot, use pineapple vodka and be sure to use pineapple juice. The rest of the recipe is the same. Fun fact: The white gummy bear is pineapple flavored.
If you want a more neutral color shot, choose an uncolored cherry vodka. My shots are red because of the color from the cherry vodka.
If you don’t have cherry vodka on hand feel free to use unflavored vodka or another fruity flavor. You could add a splash of grenadine if you want some red color.
You can batch this recipe in advance, just save the lemon-lime soda to add when you are serving.
For an ever sweeter shot, add a sugared rim.
Substitutions: You can sub cherry vodka for raspberry vodka. Pineapple juice can be subbed for cranberry juice or peach juice. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can use a mixing glass with ice.

Variations

White Gummy Bear Shot Recipe If you want to tweak this recipe into a white gummy bear shot simple swap out the cherry vodka for pineapple vodka and garnish with a white gummy bear.
Gummy Bear Cocktail If you prefer a cocktail to sip over a shooter, simply double this recipe and serve it in a martini glass or a rocks glass with an ice cube. And a gummy bear garnish!

More cute party recipes you may like

Birthday Cake Cookies
Birthday Cake Pops
Birthday Cake Shot
Cookie Dough Dip
Looking for a mocktail? Try our virgin mojito recipe

If you enjoy our recipe, please remember to leave us a 5-star rating. If you’re building your home bartender skills, try making your own sour mix and simple syrup.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What are gummy bear shots made of?

Kamikaze Shot

Elsie Larson — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 13:30:00 +0000

The Kamikaze shooter is one of the most popular shot recipes. Made of vodka, orange liqueur and lime juice this simple recipe. This drink is a favorite to new drinkers with its sweet, tart flavor. Along with the Lemon Drop Shot the Kamikaze is the most popular vodka shot recipe.

More vodka cocktails: Moscow Mule, Screwdriver Drink, White Tea Shot, Appletini, Vodka Jello Shots, Buttery Nipple Shot.

Ingredients in a Kamikaze Shot

Vodka choose a quality, unflavored vodka.
Orange Liqueur such as Grand Marnier, Cointreau or Triple Sec.
Lime Juice freshly squeezed is best.

Here’s a link to the exact shot glasses I used. I love this cocktail shaker as well.

Instructions

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice combine vodka, orange liqueur and lime juice.

Shake for 10-15 seconds until ice cold.

Pour into a shot glass and serve immediately.

What does a Kamikaze shot taste like?

A Kamikaze recipe is very close to a vodka margarita. It’s also reminiscent of a cosmopolitan. It tastes sweet and citrusy.

How to make a Kamikaze cocktail

If you don’t like shots and prefer to sip, here’s how to change this recipe into a cocktail. A Kamikaze drink is essentially a vodka margarita. It’s sweet, tart and easy to drink. Keep the recipe exactly the same, but increase the lime juice to 1 full ounce. Serve in a martini glass.

Expert Tips

Choose a quality vodka. I usually buy Titos, Smirnoff or Grey Goose.
If you would like to add a garnish, a tiny lime wedge is a great option!
Substitutions- You can substitute fresh lime juice for sour mix or bottled lime juice, however we strongly recommend sticking with fresh lime juice if you can.

Variations

Kamikaze Cocktail To turn this shot into a cocktail, keep the recipe exactly the same, but increase the lime juice to 1 full ounce. Serve in a martini glass.
Lemon Drop When you swap the lime juice for lemon juice you have a Lemon Drop Shot.
Blue Kamikaze Shot swap the orange liqueur from Blue Curacao liqueur for a blue colored shot.
Pink Kamikaze Shot add a splash of cranberry juice to this recipe to create a pink version of this shot.
Blue Raspberry Kamikaze Use Raspberry Vodka, Blue Curacao and fresh lime juice to create this variation.
Any Color Kamikaze Choose a flavored vodka that is brightly colored to change this recipe to any color you like. Perfect for themed parties.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How was the Kamikaze Shot invented?

Vegas Bomb

Elsie Larson — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 13:02:00 +0000

The Vegas Bomb is a bomb shot recipe made of Crown Royal, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and energy drink. This fruity flavored drink combines alcohol and caffeine for a fun drink to start the night off with. This Vegas Bomb recipe is best enjoyed as a bomb shot. This means you’ll drop the shot into the larger drink, creating a fun splash. This is a fun party drink to kick your party up a notch.

This drink gets its name from the casino and party scene in Las Vegas. The “bomb” part comes from the idea of a bomb shot (any shot where you drop a shot into a beer or energy drink Boilermaker-style).

More popular shot recipes: Green Tea Shot, Lemon Drop Shot, White Tea Shot, Jello Shots, Boilermaker, Jäger Bomb.

Vegas Bomb Shot Ingredients

Crown Royal Whiskey – Canadian Whiskey.
Peach Schnapps – adds sweetness and peach flavor.
Cranberry Juice – From a bottle will work just fine.
Energy Drink – Such as Red Bull

For this recipe, you’ll need a standard size highball glass or a pint glass. You will also need a shot glass.

How to Make a Vegas Bomb Drink

Begin by preparing a shot glass with Crown Royal.

Next, prepare your highball glass or pint glass with cranberry juice, peach schnapps and chilled energy drink. If your ingredients were not previously chilled stir with ice cubes for a minute before proceeding.

Hold the shot glass above the larger glass and gently drop it in.

After dropping the shot in, chug the whole thing quickly.

Why you’ll love the Vegas Bomb

The combination of caffeine and alcohol makes it a fun choice for the first drink of the night. This concoction is the perfect drink to kick off a night of fun.
The experience of dropping the shot in is a fun bit of theatrics that pleases a crowd. Simply put, this recipe feels like a party.
It’s a chance to say “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” You know you want to.

Tips for Making

Some variations of this recipe omit the cranberry juice. It’s said to be a regional variation.
If you want to reduce the sugar, choose sugar-free Red Bull.
If your Red Bull wasn’t chilled, you can use a cocktail shaker with ice to mix the drink ingredients (minus the shot).
Some recipe call for a splash of Malibu Rum.
Make sure the shot glass fits into the larger glass. We recommend a thick sturdy glass such as beer stein mug.

Variations of the Vegas Bomb Cocktail

Skip the cranberry – Some variations of this recipe omit the cranberry juice. It’s said to be a regional variation.
Royal Flush Shot – A Royal Flush Shot is made of Crown Royal, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice.
Caffeine-free – If you want to skip the caffeine, replace the energy drink with a juice, lemonade or a lemon-lime soda.
Amaretto Vegas Bomb – Replace the whiskey with amaretto for this variation.
Cherry Bomb – If you replace the whiskey with cherry vodka, you almost have a Cherry Bomb.
Drink the two separately – If you don’t like the idea of a shot glass hiding inside your drinking glass (it hurts my teeth thinking about it too) or if you don’t love the big splash (bomb shots are a bit messy), an alternative way to enjoy this drink is to drink the shot before quickly chugging the second drink.

More Bomb Shot Recipes

The Vegas Bomb is a take on the Boilermaker shot. Here are more popular variations. These recipes are extremely popular with college students and for events like bachelorette parties.

Boilermaker – The original drop-in shot is made by dropping a shot of whiskey or rye into into a lager beer.
Irish Shot – The Irish version of a Boilermaker uses Guinness Stout, Irish whiskey and Irish cream liqueur.
Jäger Bomb Shot – Drop a shot of Jägermeister liqueur into Red Bull to make this popular recipe- Jäger Bomb.
Flaming Dr. Pepper – Drop a shot of amaretto and Overproof rum (often on fire) into a glass of beer for this dangerous shot recipe- Flaming Dr. Pepper.
Cherry Bomb – Drop a shot of cherry liqueur into a Red Bull with grenadine to create the Cherry Bomb shot.
Sake Bomb– Drop a shot of Sake into Japanese beer to create the Sake Bomb.
Chuck Norris Shot– Drop a shot of grenadine, vodka and a dash of hot sauce into an energy drink to make a Chuck Norris Shot.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Vegas Bomb Shot made of?

Lemon Drop Shot

Elsie Larson — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 13:05:00 +0000

The Lemon Drop Shot was the first shot recipe I ever learned to make. This recipe is a close cousin to the classic Lemon Drop Martini. It’s a lot of fun and great to serve at a party. There’s something undeniably perfect about the combination of sweet and sour. This recipe is so fresh and delicious. It tastes just like lemon drop candies.

More shot recipes: Green Tea Shot, Mexican Candy Shot, Scooby Snack Shot, Jägerbomb Shot, Vodka Jello Shot, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot, Washington Apple Shot, White Tea Shot, Gummy Bear Shot, Kamikaze Shot.

Ingredients in a Lemon Drop Shot

Vodka – The base spirit for this shot is vodka. We recommend a quality, mid-priced vodka like Tito’s, Grey Goose or Smirnoff.
Lemon Juice – Fresh squeezed!
Simple Syrup – For sweetness. You can easily make your own bath using our Simple Syrup recipe.
Sugar – You will also need granulated sugar for rimming your glass and sugaring your lemons.
Lemons – Cut into wedges to use as a garnish.

Here’s a link to the shot glasses I used. I also love this cocktail shaker.

How to Make a Lemon Drop Shot

Chill Your Ingredients: Begin by chilling your vodka, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. Chilling these ingredients in advance ensures your shot will be refreshingly cold.
Prepare the Glass: Take a chilled shot glass and rim it with sugar. To do this, dip the rim of the glass in water or lemon juice and then into a small plate of sugar. Gently twist the glass to ensure an even sugar coating.
Mix the Cocktail: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup.
Shake Vigorously: Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds. This chilling process also helps to dilute the mixture slightly, balancing the flavors.
Strain and Serve: Carefully strain the mixture from the shaker into your prepared sugar-rimmed shot glass.
Serve with a sugared lemon wedge. Part of the experience of this shot is chasing the shot with a bite into the sugared lemon wedge. It’s delicious and the best part of the experience, so don’t skip it!

Tips for Making

Try flavored vodkas (such as raspberry vodka) if you want to change up your flavor profile a bit. Try swapping in various flavored vodkas or even try a citrus vodka (such as Absolut Citron) for a more intense experience.
Infuse your sugar with grated lemon zest for a greater sensory experience (our sense of smell is very connected to our sense of taste). You can prep the shot glass with a sugared rim or dip your lemon slice in sugar to use as a chaser.
We recommend sticking with fresh lemon juice and skipping bottled lemon juice for the best flavor. The lemony goodness from fresh lemon juice really comes through with such a short ingredient list.
Try half lemon, half lime juice for a fun variation.

History of the Lemon Drop Shot

The Lemon Drop Shot’s history is closely tied to the Lemon Drop Martini, a classic cocktail that emerged during the 1970s. The Lemon Drop Martini, known for its vibrant blend of vodka, lemon juice, and sugar, served as the inspiration for the shot recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a lemon drop shot made of?

White Tea Shot

Elsie Larson — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 13:00:00 +0000

The White Tea Shot is sweet and fresh. It has a base of vodka, but tastes like peach and lemon-lime soda. It’s a cousin to our favorite, the Green Tea Shot.

With a prep time of mere minutes, this recipe is easy to make for a group. If you’re looking for a fruity flavor shot recipe, give this one a try! Ready to learn the classic White Tea Shot recipe?

More shot recipes: Jello Shots, Lemon Drop Shot, Kamikaze Shot, Mexican Candy Shot, Scooby Snack Shot, Gummy Bear Shot, Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot.

Ingredients in a White Tea Shot Recipe

Vodka – Choose your favorite unflavored vodka. I used Tito’s.
Peach Schnapps – This gives your shot the most flavor and is an essential ingredient.
Sweet and Sour Mix – For best flavor, try our homemade sour mix.
Lemon Lime Soda – Such as Sprite, to top. Citrus soda gives the shot a nice fizzy texture and adds some more sweetness.

Is there tea in a White Tea Shot?

Similarly to the Green Tea Shot, there is no loose leaf tea, or tea of any kind in this sweet shot, which is a spinoff of the green tea shot, named for having the appearance and color of green tea. This shot has a cloudy white color and a fun, fruity flavor.

Directions

Begin by mixing equal parts of the vodka, peach schnapps and sweet and sour mix in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Use a jigger to measure each ingredient.

Shake for 10-15 seconds.

Pour into shot glasses, the built-in strainer will strain out the ice.

Top each shot with a cold splash of lemon-lime soda.

Tips for Making

Garnish ideas: lime wedge, lemon wedge, orange wedge, fresh mint sprig.
Have you ever tried making your own sour mix? It’s fun and really fresh and tasty.
If you don’t have vodka on hand, you can substitute it for white rum, tequila or gin.
For a fun flavor variation, try using different vodka flavors.
Freeze your shot glasses ahead of time for an even colder shot.
Substitutions: If you don’t have sour mix on hand, you can sub for simple syrup with either fresh lemon juice or fresh lime juice added.

White Tea Shot Variations

Green Tea Shot – Swap vodka for Irish whiskey and you’ve got a classic green tea shot.
White Tea Shot with Rum – Swap vodka for rum for this variation.

White Tea Cocktail – If you don’t like shots and prefer to sip your drink, you can turn this recipe into a cocktail easily. Just double the recipe and pour it into a cocktail glass instead of a shot glass.

Serving Suggestions/Goes Great With

Other recipes you may like:

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a White Tea Shot and a Green Tea Shot?

Pickleback Shot

Elsie Larson — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 13:41:33 +0000

If you enjoy making party shots, you have to try the Pickleback Shot. This shot is comprised of a shot of Irish whiskey chased by a shot of pickle juice. It’s surprisingly delicious and a really fun combination.

What is a Pickleback Shot?

A Pickleback Shot is a shot of Irish whiskey (you may also use American whiskey) chased immediately by a shot of pickle juice. This unlikely pairing is delicious and so much fun for a party! We also serve ours with a pickle as garnish.

This recipe was officially invented by bartender Reggie Cunningham at Bushwick Country Club in 2006. It has been famous ever since!

Ingredients

Irish Whiskey – Such as Jameson. You may also use whatever whiskey you have on hand.
Pickle Juice – Straight from a jar of pickles!
Pickle – Use a pickle as an optional garnish.

How To Make

To prepare this shot, begin with two shot glasses. In the first glass, pour a shot of Irish whiskey. In the second glass, pour a shot of pickle juice. You can also add a pickle (I used a cocktail stick to add mine) as an optional garnish.

To serve, drink the whiskey shot first and then chase it with the pickle juice shot.

Tips for Making

Choosing a Whiskey – The preferred spirit for this shot is Jameson Irish whiskey. You can use any whiskey you have on hand such as an American whiskey like Jack Daniel’s, but Irish whiskey is the best option!
Pickle Juice – The brine from any jar of pickles does the job. If you want to be fancy, the best pickle brand we recommend is McClure’s.
Pairs Well With – Many people enjoy a beer after a pickleback shot. This is considered an ideal pairing. Start the night off with this fun shot and then switch to beer.