20 Red Colored Shots & Shooters

1. Anno 1960

Inspired by the classic Negroni, the Anno 1960 is a simpler and boozier version of its predecessor. Just three ingredients are needed to make this shot adaptation of this lesser-known classic cocktail. 

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces (90 ml) vodka
• 1.5 ounces (45 ml) Campari
• 1.5 ounces (45 ml) dry Vermouth  

Instructions:

Add vodka, Campari, and dry Vermouth to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake until chilled, about 15 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.

2. Negroni Shooters

The king of Campari cocktails, the Negroni, is said to have been invented in 1919 in Florence, Italy. The inspiration is rumored to be Count Camilo Negroni asking a bartender to make his favorite drink, the Americano, stronger. The bartender proceeded to replace the soda water with gin and over 100 years later, the Negroni is one of the most popular cocktails in the world. 

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces (60 ml) Campari
• 2 ounces (60 ml) sweet (red) vermouth  
• 2 ounces (60 ml) Bombay gin 

Instructions: 

Add the Campari, sweet Vermouth, and Bombay gin to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Using a bar spoon, stir for about 30 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.

3. Americana

Inspired by another very classic cocktail, the Americana dates back to the 1860s, when the man who invented the Campari aperitif decided to mix his famous liqueur with sweet vermouth. The Americana earned its name because of how popular it was amongst American tourists.

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces (90 ml) Campari
• 3 ounces (90 ml) sweet (red) vermouth
• Soda water (optional)

Instructions:
Add Campari and sweet vermouth to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Stir with a bar spoon for about 30 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.

If you prefer to top the shots with soda water to replicate the classic recipe, either divide the shots into four 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses, or serve these shooters in rocks glasses.

4. Boulevardier Shots

Dating back to the 1920s, this smokier twist to the Negroni was invented by an American journalist in Paris. Thought to be a refined and elegant drink, this is perfect for those who love bourbon and love Negronis. 

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces (60 ml) bourbon 
• 2 ounces (60 ml) Campari
• 2 ounces (60 ml) sweet (red) vermouth  

Instructions:

Add the bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth to a cocktail shaker partway with ice. Using a bar spoon, stir for at least 30 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.

5. Jungle Bird Shots

Said to be invented in the late 1970s, the jungle bird cocktail uses Campari but in the most tropical way possible. Enjoy this Italian-tropical fusion shooter recipe. 

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces (60 ml) rum
• 1.5 ounce (45 ml) pineapple juice
• 1 ounce (30 ml) Campari
• 0.75 ounce (22 ml) Demerara sugar
• 0.75 ounce (22 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice 

Instructions:

Add the rum, pineapple juice, Campari, Demerara sugar, and fresh lime juice into a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake for about 15 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses. 

6. Mezcal Negroni

Prefer that spicy taste of agave liquor over the smooth taste of gin? Look no further than this mezcal Negroni shooter. 

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces (60 ml) Campari
• 2 ounces (60 ml) mezcal tequila 
• 2 ounces (60 ml) sweet (red) vermouth  

Instructions:

Add Campari, mezcal tequila, and sweet vermouth to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Using a bar spoon, stir the mixture for at least 30 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.

7. Old Pal Shooters

Invented by the same man who invented the Boulevardier cocktail, this is a much drier drink. Instead of the classic sweet vermouth used in the Negroni and most of its variants, the Old Pal uses dry vermouth and for a spirit, rye whiskey. This makes for a dry, bitter, and spicy flavor. 

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces (60 ml) Campari
• 2 ounces (60 ml) dry vermouth
• 2 ounces (60 ml) rye whiskey

Instructions:

Add Campari, dry vermouth, and rye whiskey to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. With a bar spoon, stir the mixture for at least 30 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.

8. Vodka Cran Shooters

One of the simplest drinks, the powerful fruity acidity of cranberry juice balances out the strength of the vodka perfectly. 

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces (120 ml) vodka
• 2 ounces (60 ml) cranberry juice

Instructions:

Add the vodka and the cranberry juice to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake the mixture for about 15 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.

9. Red Headed Slut

There are plenty of different variations for this sweet and tasty shot. This is a super simple recipe. 

Ingredients:

• 2.5 ounces (75 ml) Jägermeister
• 2 ounces (60 ml) cranberry juice
• 1.5 ounces (45 ml) peach schnapps

Instructions:

Add Jägermeister, cranberry juice, and peach schnapps to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake for about 15 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.

10. Red Snapper

Not to be confused with the red snapper similar to a Bloody Mary, this shooter is a sweet drink that highlights the flavors of Canadian whisky.

Ingredients:

• 2.5 ounces (75 ml) Canadian whisky
• 2 ounces (60 ml) cranberry juice
• 1.5 ounces (45 ml) amaretto liqueur 

Instructions:

Add Canadian whisky, cranberry juice, and amaretto liqueur to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake for about 15 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.

11. Washington Apple

Another mixture featuring Canadian whisky, these Washington apple shots are a sweet and sour treat that goes down smoothly in shooter form. 

Ingredients:

• 2.5 ounces (75 ml) Canadian whisky
• 2 ounces (60 ml) cranberry juice
• 1.5 ounces (45 ml) sour apple schnapps
• Lemon-lime soda (optional)

Instructions:

Add Canadian whisky, cranberry juice, and sour apple schnapps to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake the mixture for about 15 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.

If you are opting to top with lemon-lime soda, use an extra 2 ounce (60 ml) shot glass or 3 rocks glasses instead. Top your shots with lemon-lime soda. 

12. WOO WOO SHOOters

Inspired by a semi-popular cocktail, these Woo Woo Shooters are a sweet and refreshing way to get any celebrations started. 

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces (90 ml) vodka
• 1.5 ounces (45 ml) cranberry juice
• 1.5 ounces (45 ml) peach schnapps 

Instructions:

Add vodka, cranberry juice, and peach schnapps to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake the mixture for about 15 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.

13. Sea Breeze

While you might not think of the color red when you think of the sea, the refreshing taste of cranberry and grapefruit will match the refreshing feel of the seaside. 

Ingredients:

• 2.5 ounces (75 ml) vodka
• 2 ounces (60 ml) fresh grapefruit juice (for the best color results use pink grapefruit)
• 1.5 ounces (45 ml) cranberry juice
• 2 drops red food dye

Instructions:

Add vodka, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, and red food dye to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake the mix for about 15 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.

14. Bloody Shot

This Halloween-inspired shot is a sweet and fun way to add some excitement to your Halloween party. 

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces (60 ml) peach schnapps 
• 2 ounces (60 ml) Irish cream liqueur 
• 2 ounces (60 ml) grenadine

Instructions:

Line up three 2-ounce shot glasses next to one another. Next, pour ¾ ounce (22 ml) of peach schnapps into each glass. Layer ¾ of an ounce (22 ml) of Irish cream liqueur using a bar spoon in each glass. Layer ¾ of an ounce (22 ml) of grenadine.

15. Spiked Shirley

Take your favorite childhood mocktail, add some vodka, and enjoy a fantastic party treat. 

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces (60 ml) vodka
• 1 ounce (30 ml) grenadine
• 3 drops red food dye
• lemon-lime soda, to top

Instructions:

Line up three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses next to each other. Pour in ¾ ounce (22 ml) of vodka into each shot glass. Pour ⅓ ounce (10 ml) of grenadine into each shot glass along with a drop of food dye into each glass. Top off each shot with lemon-lime soda. 

16. Pomegranate Cosmo

The Cosmopolitan is a well-known and very popular cocktail around the world. This version highlights the bright flavors and bright colors of pomegranate juice to make that red color shine through. 

Ingredients:

• 3.5 ounces (105 ml) vodka
• 1 ounce (30 ml) pomegranate juice
• 0.5 ounces (15 ml) cranberry juice
• 0.5 ounces (15 ml) lime juice 
• 0.5 ounces (15 ml) triple-sec

Instructions:

Add vodka, pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, lime juice, and triple-sec to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake for about 15 seconds, until chilled. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.

17. Lady In Red

This is a cocktail that has many different variations. I chose to go with one of the simplest versions of this drink to make it nice and easy to enjoy a bright red shooter. 

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces (90 ml) bourbon
• 2 ounces (60 ml) pomegranate juice
• 1 ounce (30 ml) lemon or lime juice

Instructions:

Add the bourbon, pomegranate juice, and lemon/ lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake for about 15 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.

19. Strawberry Margarita Shots

One of the most refreshing shooters on this list. Blended strawberry margarita shots are perfect for those hot summer parties. 

Ingredients:

• 0.25 ounce (7 g) sea salt (optional)
• 2.5 ounces (75 ml) tequila 
• 2 ounces (60 ml) fresh or frozen strawberries 
• 1 ounce (30 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice 
• 0.5 ounce (15 ml) agave or simple syrup 
• 1-2 fresh or frozen strawberries for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

For the salt rim: Distribute the sea salt onto a small plate. Using a 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 salt, and rotate all around to rim the glasses with salt. 

For the shots: In a blender, add a handful (3-6 large cubes) of ice, tequila, strawberries, lime juice, and agave. Blend the mixture on a medium-high speed until a smooth consistency has been achieved. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.

Optionally, slice the extra strawberries and use the slices as a garnish. 

**Because fresh fruit is unpredictable, a quick trick to guarantee a bright red color in your shots is to add 1-2 drops of red food coloring to the mixture before blending.

20. Pomegranate Margarita Shots

Nothing screams red quite like pomegranate juice. Enjoy this tasty fruit incorporated into even tastier margarita shooters. 

Ingredients:

• 0.25 ounce (7 g) sea salt (optional)
• 3 ounces (90 ml) tequila
• 1.5 ounces (45 ml) pomegranate juice  
• 1 ounce (30 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
• 0.5 ounce (15 ml) agave or simple syrup

Instructions:

For the salt rim: Distribute the sea salt onto a small plate. Using a 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 salt, and rotate all around to rim the glasses with salt. 

For the shots: Add tequila, pomegranate juice, lime juice, and agave to a cocktail shaker filled partway with ice. Shake the mix for about 15 seconds. Strain into three 2-ounce (60 ml) shot glasses.