How To Create Festive Holiday Shots to Love

I Love Doing Shots! Tasty Mini Cocktails

Those who know me know I love to do shots. I especially enjoy making them for my friends and family. The Holiday season is a great time to gather my recipes for Festive Holiday Shots to do with friends and family.

Just to be clear though, I am all in for the frou-frou girly drinks. Just keep on walking by me if you want to do Tequila shots (our friend Jason calls me a baby) but I just can’t! 

How To Choose The Most Festive Shots

I have many favorite shots but I had to keep reigning myself in because these are Holiday shots, not Renee’s all-time favorite ‘Let’s Do Shot’s Shots’.

I wanted to make sure that I included some easy shots and some more difficult ones as well. They are all mouthwatering so get ready.

Let’s Talk About Layering Your Recipe

Before we get started with the recipes I want to give you a little lesson in layering. It seems like a no-brainer that the heaviest (or densest) ingredient goes first in layering recipes but with liquids it gets confusing. 

I do want to advise you when layering cocktails or shots to look at the recipe and put the items in exactly as we suggest.

It will come in very handy to use a cocktail spoon in layering if you have one. If you don’t have one you can just use a regular spoon. 

For my layered cocktails, I will flip the spoon over and slowly pour the layered liquid over the back of the spoon so it will float softly on top and not mix together with the first layer (or layers). 

I think you are ready. Let’s get started!

Shot Number One – Butterball Holiday Shot 

My first shot is for Turkey day and beyond! The Butterball Shot is an easy shot and easy is very important this time of year with all of us doing 10 things at once.

The Butterball Holiday Shot also happens to be tasty as well, which is why it made my list of favorites!

Butterball Holiday Shot Recipe

1-ounce Butterscotch Schnapps

½ ounce Irish Cream Liqueur

Chilled Shot Glass

Pour Schnapps into a chilled shot glass. Lightly float the Irish Cream Liqueur on top (don’t forget to use the back of the spoon). Cheers!

Shot Number Two – Butterball’s Cousin Peachy McButterball

For this recipe, we will just substitute Peach Schnapps for the Butterscotch from above. For those of you who like a more fruity shot, this one will hit all the right taste buds!

Butterball’s Cousin Peachy McButterball Recipe

1 ounce Peach Schnapps

½ ounce Irish Cream Liqueur

Pour Schnapps into a chilled shot glass. Lightly float the Irish Cream Liqueur on top (don’t forget to use the back of the spoon). Enjoy!

Shot Number Three – Festive Apple Pie Shot

This shot is a real crowd-pleaser. The taste of cider always makes me happy so I wanted to make sure this was on the list for all of you cider lovers.

Festive Apple Pie Shot Recipe

1 ½ ounce Apple Cider

½ ounce Vanilla Vodka

½ ounce Cinnamon Whiskey

Whipped Cream for the topper

Nutmeg (optional)

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well to mix and chill. Pour into a shot glass and top with Whipped Cream and Nutmeg. 

Shot Number Four – Santa’s Christmas Shot

This is one of the prettiest shots. Whenever I would see it at a restaurant, I was amazed at how someone could make such a cool-looking shot and thought it must be hard to make.

I have never tasted this shot myself as I don’t like peppermint schnapps due to an unfortunate 21st birthday party incident involving my husband (I won’t go into the gross details). 

I’m sure some friends will remember this party! The funniest thing is that my husband still loves everything peppermint!

When I made it for the first time at home, I was surprised at how easy it was. I hope you enjoy it as much as my guests do!

Santa’s Christmas Shot Recipe

½ ounce Grenadine

½ ounce Creme de Menthe Liqueur

½ ounce Peppermint Schnapps

Start with the Grenadine, then slowly pour the Cream de Menthe in over the spoon. Next top with the Peppermint Schnapps (again with the spoon). Each layer should take up ⅓ of the shot glass.  Cheers!

Shot Number Five – Holiday Breakfast Shot

I was first given this shot by some family friends. I was told it would change my life. Well, I must admit it was a game-changer in shots for me. Since then I look to create interesting shots and I don’t worry about the work that goes into it.

This is not the most convenient shot to make since you need to prepare bacon ahead of time but it is so worth it! I actually have a brunch I will be making a batch of it for next month and can’t wait!

Holiday Breakfast Shot Recipe

½ ounce Jameson Irish Whiskey

½ ounce Butterscotch Schnapps

1 tsp Maple Syrup

½ ounce Orange Juice

A small slice of bacon (per person)

2 shot glasses 

In a shaker mix Jameson, Butterscotch Schnapps, and maple syrup with ice to chill. Pour into the first shot glass. In the second shot glass pour orange juice and place cooked bacon on top. 

To Drink: First, take the Jameson shot glass in your hand, do this shot and then quickly pick up the bacon off the second shot and drink the second shot. Finally, eat the bacon. You’re Welcome!

Shot Number Six – The Grinch Bloody Mary Shot

For those of you who like Bloody Marys like I do but don’t like to drink an entire full glass of the filling concoction, this shot is perfect for you. It has all of the deliciousness of a regular Bloody Mary in a compact form. 

Since I am allergic to shellfish I omit the shrimp from this recipe for my shot. Make sure to find out from your guests if any of them are allergic to shellfish before you decide to serve a batch of it so as to not contaminate all of them.

The Grinch Bloody Mary Shot Recipe (Make’s 12 shots)

15 ounces Bloody Mary Mix

4 ounces Kettle One Vodka

6 slices of bacon (cut in half)

12 shrimp (Poached or grilled)

12 leafy celery tops (about 1 inch)

6 olives (cut in half)

6 cherry tomatoes (cut in half)

1 Tbsp celery salt (for rim of shot glasses)

1 lemon slice (to rub on rim of shot glasses)

Prepare your bacon and shrimp ahead of time. Cut your celery tops and set them aside.

Mix your favorite Bloody Mary mix and vodka in a cocktail shaker with ice until chilled. Pour your celery salt on a flat plate. Rub your lemon slice over each shot glass and then dip in the plate of celery salt. Next, pour your Bloody Mary mixture into the shot glasses. Add the shrimp and bacon on top. (Optionally add an olive and or a tomato) Finally, carefully place the celery stalk in the shot. Voila!

Save Some For Santa!

After trying these Holiday Shots I am sure you will add one or more to your list of favorites! Which one is your favorite? I know mine! Don’t forget to make an extra one for Santa!

Do you have a favorite shot that you like during the Holidays? Feel free to drop me a message as I would love to try it!

Happy Holiday’s from NextCocktails.com