The right shot choice can tie a party theme together just as much as streamers, cake toppers, and glow-in-the-dark bracelets. Some of the most memorable parties have personalized drinks and shots available for partygoers to down again and again. If you want to step up your hosting game, try these artistic and cunningly tasty party shots to help you take your get-together to the next level.
Layered Party Shots
Layered shots always wow a crowd, not only because of how cool they look. but also because of their exciting flavor combinations. Here are a few different layered shots to add to your mixology toolbelt.
Blushing B-52
If you're looking for something that highlights the richness of Irish cream and packs a punch, try out this variation of the classic B-52 shot recipe.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce Kahlúa
- ½ ounce Irish Cream
- ½ ounce cherry liqueur
Instructions
- In a shot glass, pour in the Kahlúa.
- Using the back of a cocktail spoon, slowly pour the Bailey's Irish Cream on top of the Kahlúa.
- Top off by repeating the same process with the cherry liqueur.
Chocolate-Covered Cherry
For chocolate-covered cherries in a glass, just layer grenadine, Kahlúa, and Irish Cream. Instant dessert.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce grenadine
- ½ ounce Kahlúa
- ½ ounce Irish Cream
Instructions
- In a shot glass, pour the grenadine.
- Slowly pour in the Kahlúa over the back of a spoon.
- Lastly, layer the Bailey's on top.
Flaming Dr. Pepper
While Dr. Pepper boasts that it's made from 23 different flavors, this simple shot only requires two ingredients and almost exactly mimics the delightful Dr. Pepper burn.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce amaretto
- ½ ounce 151-proof rum
Instructions
- In a shot glass, pour in the Amaretto.
- Using a cocktail spoon, pour in the 151-proof rum, making sure the two ingredients stay separated.
- Using a lighter stick, carefully set the rum on fire.
- Make sure to blow out the flames before ingesting.
PB & J Shooter
This peanut butter & jelly shooter is the perfect adult upgrade to the childhood favorite lunchtime treat, and it only uses two ingredients: peanut butter whiskey and grape liqueur.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce grape liqueur
- 1 ounce peanut butter whiskey
Instructions
- In a shot glass, pour in the grape liqueur.
- Using a cocktail spoon, pour the peanut butter whiskey on top, making sure to keep the two separated.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
The best kind of sweet shots mimic your favorite dessert recipes, and this mixture does just that, with the splash of grenadine partnering perfectly with the yellow-colored cocktail.
Ingredients
- Splash grenadine
- ¾ ounce pineapple juice
- ¾ ounce vanilla vodka
- Cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In shot glass combine the pineapple juice and vanilla vodka.
- Drop in a splash of grenadine and let it settle.
- Garnish with a cherry and serve.
Shamrock Shooter
Whether you're throwing a St. Patrick's Day bash or are feeling a little green, you can whip up this two-layered shamrock shooter, which combines Irish Cream and Midori.
Ingredients
- ¼ ounce Irish Cream
- 1¾ ounces Midori
Instructions
- In a 2-ounce shot glass, pour in the Midori
- Using a cocktail spoon, carefully pour the Bailey's Irish Cream on top, keeping the two separated.
Sweet Party Shot Ideas
Not everyone enjoys the burn of neat shots, but these mixtures have enough sweetness to counteract the alcohol's heat. Take a look at these different sweet shot recipes that'll certainly satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth.
Brick House
This whiskey shot combines grenadine and maple syrup for a homey, breakfast-flavored drink.
Ingredients
- ¼ ounce grenadine
- ¼ ounce maple syrup
- 1 ounce whiskey
- Lemon peel
Instructions
- In a shot glass, combine all the ingredients.
- Mix with a stirring stick and garnish with a lemon peel.
Chocolate Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot
If you were a childhood fan of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, this fun shot variation on the original Cinnamon Toast Crunch is perfect for you to make at your next movie night or birthday party.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce RumChata
- ½ ounce butterscotch schnapps
- ½ ounce chocolate liqueur
- ½ ounce Fireball whiskey
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the RumChata, butterscotch schnapps, chocolate liqueur, and Fireball whiskey.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain into a shot glass and serve.
Fruit Loops Shot
Bright blue and snack-worthy, this fruity shot combines half & half, blue curaçao, and lemon berry vodka.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce half & half
- ½ ounce blue curaçao
- ½ ounce lemon berry vodka
- Ice
- Fruit loops skewer for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients. Add ice and shake thoroughly.
- Strain into a shot glass and garnish with a toothpick full of fruit loops.
Gingersnaps
Not to be confused with the teen horror film, this gingersnaps shot is warm and heady and perfect for when the holiday season rolls around.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce RumChata
- 1 ounce vodka
- Ice
- Dash cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients. Add ice and shake.
- Strain into a shot glass and garnish with a dash of cinnamon.
Tootsie Roll
This interesting combination of ingredients mixes in a shot that replicates the hard to chew, but much beloved, Tootsie Roll candy.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce orange juice
- ½ ounce coffee-flavored liqueur
Instructions
- In a shot glass, combine the orange juice and coffee liqueur.
- Mix with a stirring stick and serve.
Strong Fun Party Shots
These shots are perfect for those who aren't afraid of adding a little kick to their shots.
Autumn's Up
This autumn-flavored shot mixes vodka, orange juice, and cloves to make the perfect fall drink.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce orange juice
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1 tsp clove simple syrup
- Ice
- Dash of ground cloves for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients. Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain into a shot glass and garnish with a dash of ground cloves.
Cement Block
The citrus in this shot will curdle the Irish cream, but that's sort of the point of the shot. It's a little like drinking a delicious cement block. Tastes great — but doesn't go down super easy.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce Irish cream
- ½ ounce vodka
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a shot glass.
Crowd Surfer
Fans of both crowd surfing and surfing in general will love this tropical blue shot which combines lemon juice, blue curaçao, and coconut rum.
Ingredients
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ ounce blue curaçao
- 1 ounce coconut rum
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients. Shake to chill.
- Strain into a shot glass.
High Altitude
While some people may be afraid of high altitude, this shot is nothing to duck your head in fear over. This refreshing shot mixes lime juice, orange liqueur, and light rum in a mouth-tingling way.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients. Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain into a shot glass.
Hot Lips
The hot lips shot will certainly give you some hot pink lips due to its bright pink coloring that stems from its use of grenadine and Tequila Rose.
Ingredients
- ¼ ounce lemon-lime soda
- ¼ ounce grenadine
- ½ ounce peach schnapps
- ¾ ounce Tequila Rose
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients. Add ice and shake.
- Strain into a shot glass.
Hulk Smash
Another Midori-based concoction, you can smash your way into a spectacular party with this mouth-puckering shot.
Ingredients
- ¼ ounce sweet and sour mix
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 ounce Midori
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients. Shake to chill.
- Strain into a shot glass.
Jäger Bomb Shot
Every college kid's go-to cocktail, this Jäger bomb shot (a traditional bomb drink) condenses the drink into a small enough amount for everyone to have a taste.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Red Bull
- ½ ounce Jägermeister
Instructions
- In a chilled shot glass, combine all the ingredients.
- Mix with a stirring stick and serve.
Maverick
If you have to throw a party but don't have enough time to make it to the store, this two-ingredient recipe is perfect.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce lemonade
- 1 ounce vodka
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients. Shake to chill.
- Strain into a shot glass.
Peach Tea
A shot made for the southern palate, the peach tea shot combines peach schnapps and whiskey for some fruit-flavored heat.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce peach schnapps
- ¾ ounce whiskey
Instructions
- In a shot glass, combine the ingredients.
- Mix with a stirring stick and serve.
Pineapple 75
Modeled after the classic cocktail, this shot reduces the pineapple juice, gin, and champagne combination into just 1½ ounces.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the pineapple juice and gin. Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a shot glass. Top with the Champagne.
Sandbar
This shot mimics the slow heat of the summer sand on your bare feet by combining Crown Royal apple whiskey with spiced rum.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce Crown Royal apple whiskey
- 1 ounce spiced rum
Instructions
- In a shot glass, combine all the ingredients.
- Stir.
Sunburst
This shot is sunburst in a glass with its bright orange mixture of orange soda, triple sec, and orange vodka.
Ingredients
- ¼ ounce orange soda
- ¾ ounce triple sec
- ¾ ounce orange vodka
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the ingredients. Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain into a shot glass.
The Godfather
In honor of the legendary film, this Godfather shot is a simple drink that marries the sweetness of amaretto with the pop of bourbon.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a shot glass, combine all the ingredients.
- Mix with a stirring stick.
Three Wise Men
This shot will leave a fire in your mouth as it mixes the three wisest men around: Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniel, and Jim Beam.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky
- ½ ounce Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey
- ½ ounce Jim Beam bourbon whiskey
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients. Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain into a shot glass.
Kamikaze Shot
Tart and sweet without vodka taking center stage, kamikaze shots are dangerous and delicious, only adding to the fun of a party.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vodka
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, orange liqueur, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a shot glass.
Green Tea Shot
Mixology magic has its work cut out for it with a whiskey shot that tastes suspiciously like green tea. None of the antioxidants, though.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce peach schnapps
- ½ ounce sweet and sour
- ½ ounce whiskey
- Ice
- Lemon-lime soda to top off
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, peach schnapps, margarita mix, and whiskey.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a shot glass.
- Top off with a splash of lemon-lime soda.
Pickleback Shot
There's something about taking a shot that can make you cringe with worry because you're worried about a chaser. But this shot? This shot has a chaser built in.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces whiskey
- 1 ounce pickle brine
Instructions
- In a shot glass, add whiskey.
- Drink whiskey, then follow immediately with pickle brine.
Ferrari Shot
A bitter shot that's equal parts and somehow makes both shine? We'll take one!
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Fernet
- 1 ounce Campari
Instructions
In a shot glass, add Fernet and Campari.
Best Party Shots to Raise the Roof
Whether you're hosting a party or you've been (happily) tasked with bringing a drink for the crowd, each one of these party shots is perfect in a pinch. And, as a bonus, you can make many of these shots using ingredients you already have in your pantry or at-home bar.
