Shots are in interesting breed of drink. Many consumed them in youth & continue to do so as Friday night ritual when out with friends.  These little gems may also be converted into true cocktails served straight up or on the rocks.  Current question asked on The Intoxicologist Facebook Fan page and Intoxicologist Twitter page: What is your current favorite shot flavor or favorite shot you remember consuming from days of youth?  Only one shot appeared more than once – Pineapple Upside Down Cake.

Reader Favorite Shot Recipes

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot – recipe adaptation by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot - adapted by Cheri Loughlin - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin1/2 ounce Pineapple Vodka

1/4 ounce Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

1/2 ounce Pineapple Juice

Splash Licor 43

Maraschino Cherry

Drip several drops maraschino cherry juice in bottom of shot glass.  Slit bottom of maraschino cherry and prop on rim of shot glass.  Set aside.  Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into prepared shot glass.

The current fad sweeping trendy NYC and Cali bars received one mention – the Pickle Back shot.  This Intoxicologist is not completely convinced with the long term popularity of the Pickle Back shot yet, but the mind is still open if the spirit is willing.  It definitely has not caught on in Middle America or in an Irish bar where I recently discovered locals of Kansas City throw back a double shot referred to as the Bear Shot.  The recipient of a Bear Shot first downs an Irish Car Bomb followed quickly by a Jager Bomb.  The Jager Bomb consists of a shot of Jagermeister dropped into a glass of Red Bull.  This concoction is a regular feature at O’Dowd’s Little Dublin in Kansas City, MO.  The bartender says he usually limits customers to one Bear Shot per night.

LAZERLIBBY from Twitter clues us in that “Jack’s Bistro in Baltimore has a Peanut Butter and Jelly shot!  It’s awesome!!”  Peanut butter is an eternal favorite and classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches seem to return everyone to memories of youth, freedom and fun days of carefree living.  No wonder this shot is such a hit.  Though Jack’s recipe isn’t available here, I’ve crafted a version of the Peanut Butter and Jelly Shot and hope hits the spot.

PB&J Shot – recipe by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

PB and J Shot - created by Cheri Loughlin - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin1 ounce Frangelico

3/4 ounce Cassis

1/4 part Castries Peanut Liqueur

Combine liquids in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake. Strain into two shot glasses or one shooter.

The Chocolate Cake shot is another favorite of many.  It is the perfect liquid birthday cake in case anyone is out celebrating.  Chocolate Cake is mentioned in the Top Ten Popular Shot Recipes post with several more popular shots such as the Buttery Nipple, Tweaked Buttery Nipple and Purple Hooter.

Friday and Saturday nights were designed for smaller sips where this sweet tart concoction is concerned.  There are many variations of the Lemon Drop Shot from so simple with just citrus vodka and triple sec to downright involved with citrus vodka, triple sec, sour mix, simple syrup, Rose’s Lime and fresh lemon.  The Lemon Drop Shot recipe below uses four ingredients plus optional garnish for quick build and fantastic pucker up lemon drop sweet tart flavor.

Lemon Drop Shot – created by Cheri Loughlin

3/4 ounce Citrus Vodka

1/4 ounce Triple Sec

1/4 ounce Limoncello

1/4 ounce Simply Lemonade

Sugar

Lemon Wedge

Dip half of lemon wedge in sugar.  Set aside.  Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into shot glass.  Shoot.  Bite lemon and enjoy the sugar.

Three Olives Bubble Vodka reaches wide audiences with its bubblicious bubble gum fruit flavor.  Tiffany LaRue Spooner from Facebook mentioned her preference for Three-O Bubble Vodka with Watermelon Pucker.  Several Three-O Bubble cocktails and four shots have been designed including the Mad Melon Bubble Gum Shot.

Bob Stafford suggested an interesting Bandana Shot: Fill a shot glass half full with Coke.  Spread a bandana tightly over the glass.  Float Captain Morgan’s Rum through the top of the bandana.  This creates a two layer effect with the Coke chasing the rum leaving one with a nice vanilla and Coke aftertaste… “and a cruddy bandana at the end of the evening.”

Many thanks to everyone who chimed in with favorite shots: Angelique Martin-Osorio, Bob Stafford, Robert H. Dicks II, Neon Lothmann, ilovepapercuts, LAZERLIBBY, John Bartlet, James Anderson, Scott Galbiati, GlaceLuxuryIce, CruiseMaven, Tiffany LaRue Spooner, Danielle Spedale and Robert Haynes-Peterson.  Enjoy evenings out, happy hour and a shot now and then, but always sip responsibly.

Subscribe to the monthly Newsletter

Follow Cheri Loughlin’s board 5 o’clock somewhere | Cocktails on Pinterest.

All content ©2014 Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist. All Rights Reserved. Chat with Cheri @Intoxicologist on Twitter and facebook.com/Intoxicologist

Friday Night Favorite Shot Recipes