Halloween Shooters

Originally published October 23, 2012. Updated on 8/4/22

I love this time of year ... the fall weather, the changing color of the leaves, and the fun of Halloween.

... and I love how *wild* one can get with party planning for Halloween, as there are so many directions that one can go.

Do you go for gory? Campy? Elegant goth?

Each spooky season option has an entire world of possibilities for decor and food.

We decided to go fairly random on Halloween subthemes, while designing.... colors, flavors, and.. well, a couple that we were just aiming for "gross".

With candy being such a huge part of Halloween season, I wanted dessert shots - sweet flavors, maybe even designed around some Halloween treats.

* “Recently” being in 2012, when this post was originally published!

Sweet Shots

Brainstorming included a lot of Jello shot ideas: should we do a pumpkin pie Jello shot? What about an apple cider Fireball Jello shot? Dark Jello shots - maybe as Halloween rum shots?

Something themed around poison apples, maybe?

So many possibilities!

... and no Halloween Jello shots ended up being made. Whoops! (We didn’t feel like waiting for them to set).

We have a classic Candy Corn themed shot, a pretty Witches’s Stockings shot, one that tastes like Candy, a gross brain shot, and a bloody eyeball shot.

So much fun!

Any of these make a great Halloween cocktail option for your holiday monster bash, and are sure to be a huge hit with your party guests!

Shots vs Shooters

Updating this post in 2020, I guess it’s time to address some semantics with my original post!

Did you know that there’s a bit of ... maybe not full out “controversy”, but definitely some disagreement over the terms “shot” and “shooter”?

Both refer to small servings of alcoholic drinks - up to a maximum of 3 oz. They are generally meant to be downed in one go - shot - rather than sipped.

Shot vs Shooter, As I Learned It

As I learned it, a shot is a single pour, of a single spirit - generally 1 oz. A shooter is a bit larger - usually 1.5 oz - and involves more than one spirit and/or liqueur.

By this definition, none of my Halloween shooters are actually SHOTS. They’re all shooters - and that’s why this post was originally called “Halloween Themed Shooters”!

Shot vs Shooter Definition #2

To some, a shot is a small serving of alcohol, whether it involves one more varieties, it doesn’t matter. A shooter is a small serving of both alcoholic AND non alcoholic items in one glass.

By this definition, my Halloween Candy Shot (below) would be a shot, as it’s Orange Curacao and Anisette - both alcoholic beverages.

Conversely, my Zombie Brain Hemorrhage would be a shooter, as it contains grenadine - a non alcohol addition.

Yet Another Shot vs Shooter Definition

Finally, there’s the grey area definition that sort of combines the other two.

... That shots are straight alcohol or a mix of alcoholic beverages - with the emphasis on mixed - while shooters are either unmixed alcoholic beverages, and/or include non-alcoholic elements.

By this definition, none of my Halloween Shooter Recipes are actually shots, though for a different reason than the one I learned it: the ones that don’t involve non-alcoholic additions are all layered, not mixed.

SO in this case, they’re all shooters, but Halloween Candy, Witches’ Stocking, and Candy Corn *could* be shots, if you mixed rather than layered.

The Popular Definition

“If it involves alcohol at all and it’s in a shot glass, it’s a shot”.

This appears to be the definition Google goes with, so - as I’d like you guys to be able to find this post - we’re going with “Halloween Shots” now!

Glassware for your Halloween Shots

Being someone who wrote an entire cookbook about cooking and baking with spirits and liqueurs (*Cough* The Spirited Baker, can be ordered here on my website, through Amazon, or through any major bookseller.*cough).. I have a pretty varied collection of glassware to choose from.

If you’re looking to purchase shot glasses to make these Halloween Shots - or other shots / shooters - for your next halloween party, here are a few recommendations:

Shot Glass Treasure Hunt

I love looking through the selection at thrift stores. Sometimes you can find some really interesting shot glasses - stemmed, fluted, etc.

The downside is that it’s a bit of a shot (hah!) in the dark. You may find nothing but kitschy tourist shot glasses, or not be able to find sets, and/or the ones you find may be scuffed, chipped, etc.

The *ahem* Sure Shot

When I need a full set of something - especially for photos - I just order from Amazon.

There are many, many options for shot glasses available on the site, but a few stand out to me. This shot glass set is a good basic option, and These rectangular shot glasses are very cool in general.

This Tall shot glass set is very similar to what I used for the tall shot glasses, but These shot glasses are another nice option for the tall shot glasses.

Either of the tall shot glass options can be used for any of my Halloween Shots, but are especially necessary for the Zombie Brain Hemorrhage Shots.

Other Options

If you feel like getting your mad scientist on, 2 oz Glass Test Tubes are a fun way to serve Halloween shots.

Skull Shot Glasses are always fun, but take away from the presentation of these particular shot recipes, IMHO.

How To Make These Halloween Shooerts

As most of these ended up utilizing layering techniques, I'd suggest reading my earlier blog entry, "Shot Tectonics: The Science of Layered Shooters" before getting started.

No worries, it's really not that difficult - all you’ll need is a small spoon. (And a pour spout, if you’re feeling fancy!)

As a note: I generally eyeball these as I make them, rather than measure. Exact measurement is unnecessary for these kind of cocktails, IMHO.

That said, I’ve included measurements in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Halloween Shot Recipes

Halloween Candy Shot Recipe

To me, Black Licorice + Orange is an epic flavor combination. I grew up on it with Tiger Tail Ice Cream, and have played with it in other recipes, such as my Tiger Tail Cake Recipe.

Orange Curaçao
Anisette

Pour Orange Curacao into a shot glass, filling it about halfway. Gently pour Anisette into the middle of the glass, filling it almost to the top.

The Anisette is "heavier" than the Curacao, and will sink to the bottom - creating a pretty gradient effect as it does.

Witches' Stockings Shot Recipe

I've got to admit - on its own, I really don't like Creme de Violette. In this drink, though? It works! Monumentally more palatable, IMHO!

Creme de Violette
Sour Apple Pucker Liqueur
Orange Curacao

Layer liqueurs in order of mention above - First the Creme de Violette, then Apple Pucker, topping off with Orange Curacao.

Be VERY gentle as you layer these liqueurs - They're fairly close in specific gravity, so they require a bit of extra attention to not mix them!

Candy Corn Shot Recipe

This one may not taste anything like Candy Corn specifically (We were going for layered colors, more than anything...), but it DOES taste like candy!

Creme de Banane
White Chocolate Creme Liqueur (We used Merry's)
Orange Curacao

Layer liqueurs in order of mention above - First the Creme de Banane, then White Chocolate Creme, topping off with Orange Curacao.

The Bloody Eyeball Shot Recipe

This one is a super easy Halloween party cocktail - the eyes can be made ahead, covered, and kept in the fridge!

I'm not going to lie, the actual shot part of this drink was a bit of an afterthought.

The idea of making an edible bloody eyeball came to me in a dream, and was what inspired this whole blog entry.

Then I woke up, googled, and found that I wasn't the first to think of it. BOO.

Canned Lychee
Red colored seedless jam (We used Lingonberry)
Large blueberries
Sour Apple Pucker liqueur
Grenadine

Use a small spoon to carefully fill each lychee with jam. Place a large blueberry in the opening of the lychee, pressing in gently to secure the berry / cause a bit of gushing.

Fill shot glasses about ¾ full with Sour Apple Pucker, then pour a bit of grenadine right in the middle. It'll sink to the bottom, with a bit of swirl.

Set a lychee eyeball on top of the shot, using a toothpick if necessary.

Zombie Brain Hemorrhage Shots

This next one.. I can't even tell you what it tastes like! We went for appearance first, looking to employ pouring and curdling techniques to create something that just looked disgusting.

... and this shot looks pretty disgusting!

Anyway, I can't handle drinking curdled drinks... but my husband loved this!

We used a tall shot glass for effect, but these are usually done with normal shot glasses... whatever floats your boat will work just fine.

Peach Schnapps
Creme de Menthe (Green, not clear!)
Bailey's Irish Cream
Grenadine

Next, pour on the Bailey's. I like to do a clean layer - using my layering technique from the "Layered Shots" post - you may prefer to gently pour it - freehand - down the side for more of a mixed "brain" effect.

Just before serving, pour a splash of grenadine into the middle of the shot glass. It'll drag some Bailey's down, causing a curdling effect. It's kind of mesmerizing to watch - here's a progression:

More Halloween Ideas

If you're still considering ideas for Halloween recipes and other ideas, be sure to check out my:

3D Halloween Bat Cupcakes
Bacon Wrapped Mummy Meatloaf
Black Velvet Cupcakes
Bloody Eyeball Cupcakes
Bloody Eyeball Halloween Punch
Breakfast Mummy Pastries
Candy Apples
Easy Halloween Bat Cupcakes
Easy Spider Web Cookies
Elegant Halloween Charcuterie Board
Fudgy Halloween Brownies
Glazed Halloween Popcorn
Gluten Free Mummy Dogs
Gluten-Free Mummy Jalapeno Poppers
Halloween Spider Web Cupcakes
How to Carve a Pumpkin Like a Pro
Lychee "Bloody Eyeball" Pancakes
Lychee Bloody Eyeball Halloween Pavlova
Mummy Dogs
Keto Witch Finger Cookies
Gluten Free Witch Finger Cookies
Mummy Jalapeno Poppers
Nightmare Before Christmas Cookies
Spider Bread Bowl

... and check out our Holiday Recipes section for easy recipes to suit any holiday!

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