Monthly Special: shot stop

While most evenings at home really only require a few successful cocktail recipes, summer party nights are approaching! It's always a great idea to have a few great shot recipes in your arsenal for those weekend nights and holiday parties that you want to turn up a notch. This week we'll focus on a few light and delicious shots that are sure to please any crowd.

I'll also cover how to layer your shots to make them not only delicious, but visibly appealing as well - a move that will certainly solidify you as the ultimate party host!

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

This is a deliciously simple recipe that will introduce you into one element of layering your shots - sinking. Once the two key elements of this shot have been combined, you will sink your grenadine to the bottom of the shot glass to imitate the construction of an actual Pineapple Upside Down cake - and will give it that polished, pretty look you will see in a bar.

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz vanilla vodka

2 oz pineapple juice

1/4 oz grenadine

Combine vodka and pineapple juice in a shaker until well blended. When making shots, it is always important to remember to be careful not too shake too vigorously - you don't want chips on ice floating in your shot! Strain the contents into a shot glass, and use a speed pourer to slowly add grenadine by pouring it down the side of the glass. Because the grenadine is heavier than the contents of your shot, it should separate nicely at the bottom of your glass, creating a lovely layered look.

Chocolate Covered Pretzel

I included this recipe to change up the flavors a little bit; not everyone wants all fruit all the time! The fun part of this shot is that you can include some trivia for your guests; although you've created a drink that has distinct chocolate flavor, you won't be using any chocolate ingredients! The salted rim on this shot is an absolute must - it really pulls the flavors together.

Ingredients

3/4 oz whipped cream flavored vodka

3/4 oz Frangelico hazelnut liqueur

Kosher salt

Use the Kosher salt to rim half of a shot glass. Combine liquid ingredients in a shaker and shake gently to avoid breaking ice cubes. Strain into rimmed shot glass. For best results, I find it tastes most like a chocolate covered pretzel when you take the shot first, then lick some of the salt off the rim of your glass.

Bomb Pop

I love making this shot, especially for Fourth of July, Olympics, and World Cup parties. It's beautiful and tasty, and always a hit with guests. While it may seem intimidating to layer a shot three ways for those without a great deal experience, it's actually quite easy with a bit of practice.

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz citrus vodka, chilled

1/4 oz grenadine

1/4 oz Blue Curacao

Splash of lemon-lime soda

Combine vodka and lemon-lime soda in a small rocks glass. Placing the speed pourer against the inside wall of the glass, slowly pour grenadine until it sinks to the bottom of the glass and layers beneath the white part of your shot. Now, place a spoon upside down over the top of the glass, so that the edge of the spoon meets snugly against the inside of your rocks glass. Now, slowly pour the Blue Curacao over the dome of the spoon; it should form a blue layer over the top of the white part of your bomb pop.

The trick to layering is to understand why it is possible in the first place. If you are ever wondering if you will be able to layer one beer or liquor over another, simply check the alcohol content. Alcohols and cordials which are lower in alcohol content will always float atop one that is stronger, whether it be in shots or in a classic Black and Tan.

#shots #pineappleupsidedown #bombpop #saltedpretzelshot