Relying on easy shot recipes is a brilliant way to add flair to your gathering. Struggling for shot ideas for pre-drinks?
Well, whether it’s a summer BBQ, garden party, or a meal with your besties, these 10 party shot recipes will add a whole new dimension to the evening.
Squashed Frog Shot Recipe
Weird and wonderful, a squashed frog is extremely simple to make. The taste is anchored by Advocaat, a rich and creamy Dutch liqueur that has vanilla notes - a bit like eggnog and Christmas. If you don’t have or like Advocaat, you can use Baileys as an alternative.
(@riatheshotqueen via TikTok)
Ingredients
- Melon liqueur
- Advocaat
- Grenadine - Master Of Mixes Cocktail Essentials Grenadine is a perfect match for this
How to make it
Start with the melon liqueur by adding 15ml to your shot glass. Then, slowly pour 15ml of advocaat over the back of a spoon so that it floats on top.
You can then add a few drops of grenadine (don’t go overboard), and as it sinks to the bottom, it will create the “squashed frog” look that gives this drink its name.
Mini Beer Shot
One of the coolest (and simplest) party shot recipes you’ll encounter. If you nail it, your friends will agree that it looks like a mini pint of lager in a shot glass. It tastes nothing like beer, but is smooth, sweet, and, like the squashed frog, has a lovely vanilla flavour.
(@riatheshotqueen via TikTok)
Ingredients
- Licor 43
- Double Cream
How to make it
Pour Licor 43 into a small shot glass until it’s about three-quarters full. Add a small amount of double cream to a separate glass and whisk it for about a minute to help it float. Then, slowly pour the cream over the back of a spoon and let it rest on top.
J-Bomb
If you’ve ever been on a night out, you’ll probably recognise the J-Bomb. This popular party serve combines herbal schnapps with an energy drink for a sweet, botanical flavour with plenty of fizz.
Ingredients
- Jungfrau Herbal Schnapps - A delicious, affordable alternative to the market leader
- Energy drink - KICK is a lower-calorie alternative to the market leader
How to make it
Get a small tumbler or whiskey glass and fill it about ¾ of the way with the energy drink. Then, pour the herbal schnapps into a separate shot glass. You can then drop the shot glass into the energy drink and see it off while it’s still fizzing.
Baby Guinness Shot
Like the Mini Beer shot above, a Baby Guinness is a simple, show-stopping shot option to accompany any round of drinks. The Irish Cream liqueur sits on top of the coffee-flavoured Tia Maria, resulting in a deliciously sweet shot that’s a huge hit among partygoers. Here we'll show you exactly how to make a baby Guinness.
(@riatheshotqueen via TikTok)
Ingredients
- Tia Maria
- Baileys or Lustre Caffe Latte
How to make it
Add 20ml of Tia Maria to a shot glass to create the stout-looking base of the drink. Add 10ml of Baileys to another glass and stir it briskly for 15-20 seconds. Then, pour it over the back of a spoon to float it on top of the Tia Maria.
Woo Woo
Inspired by the hedonism of the 1980s, the Woo Woo is a throwback to simpler times. While it’s usually served as a cocktail in a tall glass, you can simplify it into a shot by following our classic shot recipe below.
Ingredients
- Vodka
- Peach schnapps - Teichenne Peach Schnapps Liqueur hits the spot
- Cranberry juice
How to make it
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add 10ml of vodka, 10ml of peach schnapps, and 10ml of cranberry juice. Shake well (20-30 seconds), and serve in a shot glass. Double, triple, or quadruple the ingredients, depending on how many shots you need.
The Brain Haemorrhage Shot
Named for its resemblance to a bleeding brain, this shot looks messy but tastes silky and sweet. Expect peachy, vanilla flavours and a hint of berry from the grenadine. The perfect 90s throwback shot.
(@riatheshotqueen via TikTok)
Ingredients
- 30ml peach schnapps
- 5ml Irish Cream
-
Grenadine
How to make it
The order of the ingredients is key when making this one. Add 30ml of peach schnapps to the shot glass first. Then slowly add 5ml of Irish cream liqueur and allow it to form the brain-like effect. Finish with a few drops of grenadine in the centre to create the distinctive bleeding appearance.
Bakewell Tart Shot
The rich, flavoursome taste of this easy shot recipe makes it a perfect after-dinner contender. It’s cherry and nutty, much like a Bakewell tart, and it’s deceptively easy to put together.
(@mancavebartender via TikTok)
Ingredients
- Cherry liqueur - Corky’s Sour Cherry Schnapps works brilliantly here
- Amaretto
- Irish Cream
How to make it
Add 25ml of cherry liqueur and 25ml of Amaretto to a cocktail shaker over ice and shake well to combine the flavours. Then, strain the mixture into a glass. Whisk some Irish Cream liqueur into a small glass, then float it on top with the back of a spoon before serving.
Jam Doughnut Shot
Expect a rich, indulgent, and super sweet shot that will be the talk of your party. The sweetness comes from the raspberry liqueur, while the finish with whipped cream makes it exceedingly moreish. Coat your shot glass with sugar for something extra special.
(@riatheshotqueen via TikTok)
Ingredients
- Raspberry liqueur - Go for Corky’s Sour Raspberry Schnapps as the base for your doughnut shot
- Irish Cream
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Sugar (optional)
How to make it
Coat the rim of your shot glass in sugar, then flip it the right way up and add 25ml of raspberry liqueur. Use the back of a spoon to slowly add 15ml of Irish Cream to the top and watch it float. Top the glass with whipped cream and serve.
Cement Mixer Shot
A daring pre-drinks shot among students, the cement mixer isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s designed to curdle in your mouth and is a great shot to find the bravest among your group.
(@tipsyderek via Instagram)
Ingredients
- Lime juice
- Irish Cream
How to make it
Pour Irish Cream liqueur (Baileys is fine) into a shot glass. The drinker takes it into their mouth and holds it there without swallowing. A separate shot glass of lime juice should then be taken. The drinker should swirl the two together before swallowing. The lime’s acidity causes the cream to curdle, resulting in a thick, lumpy texture.
Flatliner
Sweet and seriously fiery, the Flatliner combines sambuca, jalapeño tequila liqueur and hot sauce. Its layered appearance makes it a striking party shot for anyone who enjoys a little heat.
(@riatheshotqueen via TikTok)
Ingredients
- Sambuca - Nottari Sambuca Bianca works perfectly
- Jalapeño tequila - We recommend Take Tequila Jalapeño Liqueur
- Hot sauce
How to make it
Add 15ml of sambuca to a shot glass. Then, carefully pour 15ml of jalapeño tequila liqueur over the back of a spoon so that the two spirits form separate layers. Finish with a few drops of Tabasco or your favourite hot sauce in the centre.
The Best Shots for a Party
The ten easy shot recipes above are super easy shots to make at home, with minimal recipes and very little prep time. Stock up on the required ingredients from Good Time In and work on any of these classic shot recipes to impress your guests.
