Halloween Shot Recipes!
Originally published October 23, 2012. Updated on 10/26/20
Halloween Themed Shooters are fun to make, cool to look at, & tasty to drink! These Halloween Shot Recipes will elevate any Halloween Party.
Halloween is coming - Yay!
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 option has an entire world of possibilities for decor and food.
For our part, my husband and I recently* decided to craft up some Halloween themed shooters recipes. We decided to go fairly random on Halloween subthemes, while designing.... colors, flavors, and.. well, a couple that we were just aiming for "gross".
* “Recently” being in 2012, when this post was originally published!
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, 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 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 - 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 set is a good basic option, and These ones are very cool in general.
This 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.-
How To Make These Halloween Shots
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!
Have fun with these Halloween Shot Recipes (and one Halloween Shooters recipe)!
Halloween Shot Recipes
Halloween Candy Shot
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 Curacao
Anisette
Pour Orange Curacao into a shotglass, 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
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
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
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.
Top each glass with a lychee eyeball, using a toothpick if necessary.
Zombie Brain Hemorrhage
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.
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
Pour the Peach Schnapps into a shot glass, about ½ full. Pour a splash of Creme de Menthe in next - it'll sink to the bottom.
Next, pour on the Bailey's. I like to do a clean layer - using my layering technique from the "Shot" 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:
We DID take a video of it, on the night we designed these cocktails. You'll have to excuse us, it was at the END of the cocktail design session...
Whichever shots you do, consider taking some pics of your work! If you instagram it, be sure to tag me - @CelebrationGenerationCA - or post it to My Facebook Page - so I can cheer you on!
If you're still considering ideas for Halloween, be sure to check out my:
Bloody Eyeball Halloween Punch
Easy Halloween Bat Cupcakes
Halloween Pavlova
Halloween Spider Web Cookies
Halloween Spider Web Cupcakes
3D Halloween Bat Cupcakes
How to Carve a Halloween Pumpkin Like a Pro
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Well, the published nonsense, anyway!
Happy Halloween!
Those look like a lot of fun! I wonder if you could use a vanilla flavored liquor on the Candy Corn shot to get more of a Candy Corn flavor?
WoW I totally love the bloody eyeball. I'm trying this at our next get together. Great blog, glad I found it. I love food, desert and drinks 🙂
Back in a day when I bartended I made a drink called test tube baby... it’s 100 proof peppermint schnapps ... Baileys Irish cream n grenadine in a test tube.... went over real big n tastes great!!!