You may be wondering why on earth someone would use the words “enjoyment” and “smooth” in the same sentence with “shot” when referring to whiskey or liquor. The simple truth of the matter is – shots don’t have to take your breath or cause you to be the brunt of jokes for years to come. You really can enjoy the taste of shots when they’re made correctly.
Serve Straight Shots Chilled
Shots often burn the throat and give people a gagging feeling which ruins the overall enjoyment of shots. Alcohols that contain about 20% alcohol like Bailey’s, Schnapps or Chocolate Liqueur taste great and go down much more smoothly than Vodka, Rum, Tequila or other alcohols that contain at least twice the alcohol content. Chilling stronger shots will help them go down more easily.
Look into purchasing a shot machine that will cool each shot to about 15 degrees Fahrenheit. While this is much cooler than freezing for water, it’s perfect for alcohol. You can also keep the bottles in the freezer, but a shot machine could add a great deal of convenience to your next big bash.
Jell-O Shots
Each of these Jell-O shot recipes began with 3 ounces of Jell-O and 1 cup of boiling water. When the Jell-O is dissolved, add 1 cup (8 ounces) of the alcohol of your choice. Here are a few great ideas:
Margarita Shots
1 cup Tequila
Lime Jell-O
Vivid Citrus Shots
1 cup Absolut Citron
Lime Jell-O
Sweet Cherry Shots
Tastes like the juices from maraschino cherries.
Be careful not to make it overly sweet.
1 cup Amaretto
Cherry Jell-O
Chocolate Cherry Shots
1 cup Creme de Cacao
Cherry Jell-O
Jolly Rancher Shots
1 cup Sour Apple Schnapps
Watermelon Jell-O
Strawberry Daiquiri Shots
1 cup White Rum
Strawberry Jell-O
Shots Created with Peach Schnapps
Peach Schnapps is a pretty universal mixer for most types of Jell-O shots. It is sweet, tart and mild enough to mix with nearly any fruit flavor. Sweet shots should be enjoyed in moderation, as the affects of the alcohol often sneak up on you when you least expect it. Peach Schnapps is one of the most popular and flavorful liquors to add to sweet mixers for a delicate flavor and smoothing affect. Other smooth liquors include Sour Apple Schnapps, Midori, Amaretto and Malibu.
Fuzzy Navel Shot
1 cup Peach Schnapps
Orange Jell-O
Twizzler Shots
1 cup Peach Schnapps
Raspberry Jell-O
Fruity Candy Shots
1 cup Peach Schnapps
Cherry or Strawberry Jell-O
Peach Shots
1 cup Peach Schnapps
Peach Jell-O
Sex on the Beach Shots
Make orange Jell-O using 3 ounces Jell-O and 1 cup Boiling Cranberry Juice instead of water.
3 ounces Peach Schnapps
5 ounces vodka
Sweet shots often have lower alcohol content because of the syrupy liqueurs used in creating them. To add to the alcohol content without taking away from taste, combine equal amounts of vodka or rum with the sweet liqueur of choice. This is also a great trick to keep in mind if the flavor becomes too overwhelming to be enjoyable.
Add Cherries or Strawberries
Use whipped cream and a cherry to create the perfect Chocolate Cherry Jell-O Shot. Soak maraschino cherries in rum for 24 hours. Create Chocolate Cherry Jell-O Shots as described above. Drop in a rum-soaked cherry and enjoy!
Take your Chocolate Cherry Jell-O Shot to the extreme! Put shots with cherries in the freezer for about 15 minutes and top with Magic Shell and whipped cream. The Magic Shell will harden and create a chocolaty treat and everyone loves whipped cream. These may be a little too sweet to really enjoy. Cut some of the sweetness by adding a little vodka or rum before adding the layer of Magic Shell.
Shots as Smooth as Desert
Some of the recipes we recommend here can be used as a refreshing substitute for your usual desert. Shots don’t have to be slammed to be thoroughly enjoyed. Plan slow and easy shots in combination with straight alcohol shots for your next big party. Let people experiment and create their own special recipes. When someone creates a great shot, write it down so you don’t forget it. Share it with others who may also enjoy it.
Even if you’ve had bad experiences with shots in the past, give some of our ideas a try. Really learn how to enjoy smooth shots so you aren’t the laughing stock the next time you go out with friends. Straight shots of Vodka or Tequila aren’t for everyone. Find the shots that match your tastes and have fun.
