Inspiring Holiday Dessert Shots

Tempting holiday desserts abound as far as the eye can see during the holiday season. Restaurants have adopted mini desserts to draw consumers in with smaller portions.  Entertaining options highlight holiday tasting parties rather than full on dinner parties.  The temptation of petite samplings, miniature sizes with a smidgen of taste in adorable little packaging has been borrowed in part from the cocktail bar and the world of popular shots.

Shots have long been the go-to fast pour to get the party started or way to end an evening of frivolity.  Different times of year and occasions call for special themes of drinks.  Holiday time calls for indulgent dessert style shots.

Almond Cookie

1/2 ounce Amaretto

1/2 ounce Butterscotch Schnapps

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into shot glass.

Notation: Sometimes Amaretto can overwhelm, but in this case the butterscotch smoothes out the almond flavor so it doesn’t overshadow. Instead this little shot comes across a little soft natured as is intended with cookies.

Black Forest Cake – recipe adapted by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

1/2 ounce Cherry Vodka

1/2 ounce Coffee Liqueur

1/2 ounce Irish Cream

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into shot glass.

Notation: Light chocolaty mocha flavor with cherry laced delicately throughout.

Carrot Cake

1/2 ounce Butterscotch Schnapps

1/2 ounce Irish Cream

1/2 ounce Goldschlager

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into shot glass.

Notation: Quite good with lots of cinnamon goodness packing spice for this dessert shot.

Peppermint Bonbon

3/4 ounce Peppermint Schnapps

1/4 ounce Chocolate Syrup

Layer chilled ingredients into a shot glass.

Notation: Lovely layered shot, but be sure to have a stir straw handy to make sure none of the chocolate goes to waste.

Raspberry Brownie Bite – recipe adapted by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

1/2 ounce Coffee Liqueur

1/2 ounce Raspberry Liqueur

1/2 ounce Heavy Cream

Combine coffee and raspberry liqueurs in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into pony or shooter glass. Float heavy cream over top by slowly dripping cream over back of bar spoon.

Notation: Wow! Not only does this particular shot make a glorious entrance to the party with its rich color and lavish coat of cream on top, but the taste truly is luxurious.

All content ©2010 Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist. All Rights Reserved. Chat with Cheri @Intoxicologist on Twitter and facebook.com/Intoxicologist or str8upcocktails@gmail.com