Ring in the new year with some fun and festive alcoholic shots! With just a little effort, you can make some upscale shots for your New Year's Eve party.
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Need even more fun party shot recipes? You also have to try the classics like Vegas bombs and green tea shots.
1. The All Nighter
A bold, velvety espresso martini shot with coffee and a smooth vodka kick.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ ounces (45 ml) vodka
- 1 ¼ ounce (37 ml) freshly brewed espresso
- 1 ounce (30 ml) coffee liqueur
- ¾ ounce (22 ml) simple syrup
Instructions:
Add vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until well-chilled and foamy, about 15 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.
2. Celebration & Tonic
Light, floral, and slightly bitter with a refreshing sparkle from tonic and juicy blackberry notes. It’s a crisp, classy toast that just feels right for midnight.
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces (90 ml) Empress 1908 Gin
- 3 ounces (90 ml) tonic water
- fresh blackberries, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Add gin and tonic water to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Stir for about 15 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses. Garnish each shot with a blackberry.
3. The Ball Drop
A sweet and fun shot that everyone will love to sip while the ball drops!
Ingredients:
- ¾ ounce (22 ml) chilled vanilla vodka
- ½ ounce (15 ml) chilled pineapple juice
- ¼ ounce (7 ml) grenadine
Instructions:
Pour vanilla vodka in the bottom of a 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glass. Using a bar spoon, layer pineapple juice on top, then grenadine. Give the grenadine a minute to settle at the bottom.
4. Party Starter
Bright mango meets zesty lime and tequila, finished with a spicy Tajín kick!
Ingredients:
- ¼ ounce (7.5 g) Tajín (optional)
- 3 ounces (90 ml) blanco tequila
- 2 ounces (60 ml) mango puree or juice
- 1 ounce (30 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
Instructions:
For the Tajín rim: Distribute the Tajín onto a small plate. Using the lime that is for the fresh lime juice, rub the flesh against and all around the rim of the shot glasses. Gently, tap the sides of the shot glass in the Tajín, and rotate all around to rim the glasses with Tajín.
For the shots: Add the tequila, mango puree (or juice), and lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.
5. Midnight Magic
Smooth and enchanting, it tastes like the moment the clock strikes twelve.
Ingredients:
- 3 ½ ounces (105 ml) light rum
- 1 ½ ounces (45 ml) lime juice
- 1 ounce (30 ml) violet syrup (add purple food coloring to simple syrup)
Instructions:
Add rum, lime juice, and violet syrup to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.
6. Flirty Fizz
Crisp vodka with tart cranberry, citrus, and a hint of orange.
Ingredients:
- 4 ½ ounces (135 ml) vodka
- ½ ounce (15 ml) cranberry juice
- ½ ounce (15 ml) lime juice
- ½ ounce (15 ml) triple sec or Cointreau
Instructions:
Add vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and triple sec (or Cointreau) to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.
7. No Sleep Tonight
Layered, creamy, and rich with notes of coffee, vanilla, and orange. Smooth, but sneaky!
Ingredients:
- ½ ounce (15 ml) chilled coffee liqueur
- ½ ounce (15 ml) chilled Irish cream liqueur
- ½ ounce (15 ml) chilled Grand Marnier
Instructions:
Pour coffee liqueur in the bottom of a 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glass. Using a bar spoon, layer Irish cream on top, followed by Grand Marnier.
8. The Countdown
Creamy coconut and sweet pineapple blend into a tropical, frozen shot.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ ounces (75 ml) frozen pineapple
- 1 ½ ounces (45 ml) light rum
- 1 ounce (30 ml) cream of coconut
- 1 ounce (30 ml) pineapple juice
Instructions:
Add pineapple, rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice to a blender. Blend on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy. Pour into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.
9. Power Hour
A bold, citrusy punch with a mix of spirits and a fizzy finish.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce (30 ml) blue curaçao liqueur
- 1 ounce (30 ml) lemon juice
- 1 ounce (30 ml) blanco tequila
- 1 ounce (30 ml) light rum
- ½ ounce (15 ml) vodka
- Ginger ale, to top
Instructions:
Add blue curaçao, lemon juice, tequila, rum, and vodka to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain evenly into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses. Top each shot with ginger ale.
**Note: If you prefer to add more ginger ale, use four, 2-ounce shot glasses or three rocks glasses.
10. The Energy Boost
Sweet cherry vodka drops into a fizzy, tangy energy drink for a fun explosion of flavors.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce (30 ml) cherry vodka
- 4 ounces (120 ml) Red Bull energy drink
Instructions:
Pour cherry vodka into a shot glass. Fill a highball glass with Red Bull energy drink. When you're ready to drink, drop the shot glass into the glass filled with Red Bull.
11. Dance Break
Bright, tart hibiscus lemonade with a smooth vodka finish. Refreshing and vibrant, it’s the perfect reset before heading back to the dance floor.
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (120 ml) hibiscus lemonade
- 2 ounces (60 ml) vodka
Instructions:
To make hibiscus lemonade, replace the water in your favorite lemonade recipe with hibiscus tea.
Add hibiscus lemonade and vodka to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.
12. Party Vibes
Fruity, tropical, and slightly citrusy with a creamy optional finish.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces (60 ml) Hpnotiq liqueur
- 1 ounce (30 ml) blue curaçao liqueur
- 1 ounce (30 ml) mango rum
- ½ ounce (15 ml) lemon juice
- ½ ounce (15 ml) orange juice
- Whipped cream, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Add Hpnotiq, blue curaçao, mango rum, lemon juice, and orange juice to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses. Optionally, garnish each shot with a dollop of whipped cream.
13. Shot O'Clock
Sweet citrus orange juice meets tequila with a hint of pomegranate richness. It’s smooth, easy, and dangerously drinkable as the night flies by.
Ingredients:
- 3 ¾ ounces (110 ml) orange juice
- 2 ounces (60 ml) blanco tequila
- ¼ ounce (7 ml) grenadine
Instructions:
Add the orange juice and tequila to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses. Top each shot with an equal amount of grenadine.
14. To New Beginnings
Zesty lime and vodka, balanced with a hint of sweetness!
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces (90 ml) vodka
- 2 ounces (60 ml) lime juice
- 1 ounce (30 ml) blue curaçao liqueur
- Ginger beer, to top
Instructions:
Add the vodka, lime juice, and blue curaçao to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain evenly into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses. Top each shot with ginger beer.
15. Electric Midnight
Botanical gin with dry herbal notes and a hint of citrus. Sleek and sophisticated, it’s a refined way to ring in the new year.
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (120 ml) Empress 1908 gin
- 1 ½ ounces (45 ml) dry vermouth
- 2 dashes of orange bitters
Instructions:
Add Empress 1908 gin, dry vermouth, and orange bitters to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.
16. Celebrate Good Times
A fun and playful shot that brings pure party energy to your NYE!
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ ounces (75 ml) vodka
- 2-3 yellow Starbursts
- 2 ounces (60 ml) sweet and sour mix
Instructions:
Add the vodka, yellow Starbursts, and sweet and sour mix into a cocktail shaker. Optionally, let the mixture sit overnight in the fridge to dissolve the Starbursts. Add ice and shake until chilled, then strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.
17. Champagne Pop
It’s bubbly, elegant, and made for that perfect midnight toast.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces (60 ml) pink colored hibiscus vodka
- 1 ounce (30 ml) simple syrup
- ½ ounce (15 ml) lime juice
- Champagne or soda water, to top
Instructions:
Add hibiscus vodka, simple syrup, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses. Top each shot with Champagne or soda water.
18. It's 11:59
Warm vanilla and nutty hazelnut create a smooth, dessert-like sip with a bright citrus bite on the side.
Ingredients:
- ½ ounce (15 ml) vanilla vodka
- ½ ounce (15 ml) hazelnut liqueur
- 1 sugar-coated lemon wedge, served on the side
Instructions:
Add vanilla vodka and hazelnut liqueur in a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into a 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glass. Serve a sugar-coated lemon wedge alongside the shot.
19. New Year, New Me
Sweet, tangy watermelon with a sour candy kick.
Ingredients:
- 5 ½ ounces (160 ml) watermelon pucker
- 3 watermelon Sour Patch Kids, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Add watermelon pucker to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses. Optionally, drop a watermelon Sour Patch Kids in each shot for a fun candy finish.
20. Stroke of Midnight
Juicy berries and citrus blend with smooth tequila and a touch of sweetness.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces (60 ml) fresh or frozen mixed berries
- 3 ounces (90 ml) blanco tequila
- 1 ounce (30 ml) lime juice
- 1 ounce (30 ml) agave or simple syrup
Instructions:
Muddle the berries in a cocktail shaker to release the juices. Add tequila, lime juice, and agave (or simple syrup) to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.
21. Dance Floor Fuel
Silky, frothy, and a little tart with bright raspberry and citrus notes. Smooth yet energizing, so it keeps you moving all night long.
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (120 ml) gin
- 1 ounce (30 ml) raspberry syrup
- ½ ounce (15 ml) lemon juice
- 1 egg white
Instructions:
Add gin, raspberry syrup, lemon juice, and an egg white to a cocktail shaker. Shake for 10–15 seconds (without ice). Add a handful of ice, and shake for another 10–15 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.
**A helpful tip when pouring shots made with egg whites: Do not pour one shot at a time; instead, fill each shot a bit at a time. This guarantees that when you’re filling the last bit, the frothy part of the egg white mixture is evenly distributed.
22. Midnight Kiss
Tropical pineapple with a citrusy twist and a hint of sweetness.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces (60 ml) fresh or frozen pineapple
- 2 ounces (60 ml) vodka
- 1 ounce (30 ml) grapefruit juice
- 1 ounce (30 ml) blue curaçao liqueur
Instructions:
Add a handful of ice (3–6 cubes), pineapple, vodka, grapefruit juice, and blue curaçao to a blender. Blend on medium-high speed until smooth. Pour into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.
23. The Afterparty
Light, citrusy orange vodka topped with a refreshing fizz. An easy and crisp shot!
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces (90 ml) Deep Eddy orange vodka
- 3 ounces (90 ml) tonic water or soda water
Instructions:
Add the orange vodka to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses. Top each shot with tonic water (or soda water).
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