These Gingerbread Shots are a great way to welcome guests to a holiday party! With the warm, cozy flavors of molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, these shots deliver a taste of the holidays in every sip.
A classic shot recipe is about bold, simple flavors packed into a small, concentrated drink. I used these characteristics to craft these strong, flavorful gingerbread shots, perfect for serving in the most charming tiny bourbon bottles for a festive twist! I serve my mini Paloma shots and margarita shots in bottles, too!
This festive recipe combines bourbon, ginger beer, and orange juice for a holiday twist perfect for parties, cozy nights by the fire, or any winter gathering. These shots are strong, delicious, and guaranteed to add a fun, festive touch to your celebrations!
Check out my 30 more shot recipes for your party!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Warm and spicy flavors capture the essence of the holidays.
- Combines bourbon’s depth, ginger beer’s zing, orange juice, and molasses sweetness.
- A delicious and festive treat that’s perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Quick and easy to make, even for last-minute entertaining.
Gingerbread Shot Ingredients
- Bourbon: Provides a smooth, bold base with warm caramel notes.
- Orange Juice: Brightens the cocktail with a fresh citrus flavor.
- Molasses: Captures the classic gingerbread essence with its deep, sweet richness.
- Brown Sugar Simple Syrup: Sweetens the drink with caramel-like undertones.
- Ginger Beer: Adds a fizzy, spicy sparkle to finish the cocktail.
- Ground Spices: A festive blend of cinnamon for warmth, ginger for a zesty kick, nutmeg for a subtle nutty aroma, and cloves for bold, spicy depth.
Directions for Making Gingerbread Shots
Empty Liquor Bottles (Optional): If reusing decorative bottles for serving, empty and clean them first.
Combine Ingredients: Add all ingredients except the ginger beer into a cocktail shaker.
Shake: Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds to chill and mix the flavors.
Strain: Pour the mixture into a measuring glass with a pour spout for easy serving.
Add Ginger Beer: Stir in the ginger beer gently to preserve the fizz.
Pour into Shot Glasses: Carefully pour the finished cocktail into the tiny shot glasses used for the bourbon or little glasses.
Recipe Tips
- Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter shot, increase the brown sugar simple syrup to 1 ounce.
- Batch for a Crowd: Double or triple the recipe to make more shots. You’ll need to shake it in batches, but you can pour it all into a pitcher, add the ginger beer, and then put it into small glasses.
- Mocktail Option: Replace the bourbon with apple cider and swap ginger beer for ginger ale for a family-friendly version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Preparing them just before serving is best to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
Yes! To make a flavorful, alcohol-free version, substitute zero-proof bourbon for the bourbon and keep the rest of the recipe the same.
Use a good-quality bourbon for the best flavor and smoothness in your gingerbread shots. A bourbon with hints of caramel or vanilla will enhance the spices and sweetness, creating a well-balanced and festive drink.
More Shot Recipes
Shake up these gingerbread shots, and let’s toast to creating new memories and making this season unforgettable!
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Gingerbread Shots
Ingredients
- 6 ounces bourbon
- 4 ounces orange juice
- 1 tbsp molasses
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup, brown sugar is best but you can also make it with granulated sugar.
- 4 ounces ginger beer
Instructions
- If reusing decorative bottles for serving, empty and clean them first.
- Add all ingredients except the ginger beer into a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to chill and mix the flavors.
- Strain the mixture into a measuring glass with a pour spout for easy serving.
- Stir in the ginger beer gently to preserve the fizz.
- Carefully pour the finished cocktail into tiny shot glasses.
