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the Smirking Betty

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An elevated recipe perfect for coffee lovers, these soft shots are rich and sweet.

Ingredients:

  • 1 shot espresso (about and ounce)
  • 1 oz caramel syrup
  • 1 oz almond milk
  • 1 oz vanilla syrup (recipe below)
  • Sea salt
  • Whipped cream

Instructions:

Fill two shot glasses with equal portions of espresso and caramel syrup, creating two separate layers. Carefully pour the almond milk on top of the caramel syrup, being careful not to disturb the other layers. Drizzle the vanilla syrup on top of the almond milk, creating a swirl effect. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of each shot. Top each shot with a dollop of whipped cream.

This shot combines the bold flavor of espresso with the sweet and rich flavor of caramel. The almond milk adds a touch of nuttiness and creaminess to the shot, while the vanilla syrup adds a sweet and comforting flavor that balances the bitterness of the espresso. The sea salt adds a touch of saltiness and helps to enhance the sweetness of the caramel and vanilla syrups. The whipped cream adds a final touch of airy sweetness.

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the Reckless Accountant

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Wanting to create a shot showcasing the earthy taste of premium black tea, while also balancing it with the sweet and fruity taste of apple juice, we added complementary flavors including honey, ginger, and cardamom. We (optionally) elevate the presentation of the shot by incorporating a smoky applewood chips, and a cinnamon stick garnish. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz fresh apple juice
  • 1 oz black tea syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz honey syrup (recipe below)
  • 1/2 oz ginger syrup (recipe below)
  • 4 dashes of cardamom bitters
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • Applewood chips, for smoking (optional)
  • Ice

Instructions:

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the apple juice, black tea syrup, lemon juice, syrups, and bitters to the shaker. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds. Pour the cocktail evenly into two shot glasses. (Optional: Fill a smoking box or chamber with applewood chips and place two shot glasses inside. Ignite the applewood chips with a torch or lighter, allowing the smoke to fill the box and infuse the cocktails with a smoky aroma.)

Place a cinnamon stick over each shot glass as a garnish and serve.

This premium shot has a smoky and aromatic flavor, with the sweet and fruity taste of fresh-pressed apple juice, the earthy and slightly bitter taste of black tea syrup, the sweetness of honey syrup, and the spiciness of ginger syrup and cardamom bitters. The smoky aroma from the applewood chips creates an additional sensory element to the shot.

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the Paramour

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This soft shot recipe combines tropical flavors with the earthy and slightly bitter taste of turmeric, which is a spice that is not only delicious but also has health benefits. This is a great choice for a business celebration, as it combines unique and elevated flavors with a touch of elegance, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience for your guests.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. pineapple juice
  • 1 oz. passion fruit syrup
  • 1 oz. turmeric syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz. coconut water
  • Gold glitter
  • Fresh mint leaves

Instructions:

Fill two shot glasses with equal portions of pineapple juice, passion fruit syrup, and turmeric syrup, creating three separate layers. Carefully pour the coconut water on top of the turmeric syrup, being careful not to disturb the other layers. Sprinkle a pinch of gold glitter on top of each shot. Place a fresh mint leaf on top of the shot for garnish.

The passion fruit syrup used here provides a sweet and tart flavor, while the pineapple juice adds a sweetness and a tropical touch. The turmeric syrup adds a warm, slightly bitter flavor that is balanced by the sweet and tart flavors of the passion fruit and pineapple. The coconut water provides a light and refreshing flavor, while the gold glitter adds a touch of elegance and luxury. The fresh mint leaves add a final touch of freshness and balance to the shot.

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the Kisses of Gnomes

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For these shots, we were inspired by the traditional flavors of chai tea. We wanted to create a shot that was both somewhat familiar and exciting, with a well-balanced flavor profile that would appeal to a wide range of tastes. Finally, the different layers of flavor and texture in the shot make it both visually appealing and delicious to drink, making it a great choice for your celebrations.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. chai tea concentrate
  • 1 oz. pomegranate juice
  • 1 oz. vanilla syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz. almond milk
  • Cinnamon powder
  • Star anise

Instructions:

Fill two shot glasses with equal portions of the chai tea concentrate and pomegranate juice, creating two separate layers. Carefully pour the vanilla syrup on top of the pomegranate juice, being careful not to disturb the other layers. Slowly pour the almond milk on top of the vanilla syrup, creating a swirl effect. Sprinkle a generous amount of cinnamon powder on top of each shot. Place a star anise on top of each shot for added color and aroma (for looks and scent–do not eat star anise whole).

This shot combines the warm and spicy flavor of chai tea with the tart and sweet flavor of pomegranate juice. The vanilla syrup adds a touch of sweetness and creaminess, while the almond milk provides a smooth and nutty flavor that balances the spiciness of the chai tea. The cinnamon powder adds a touch of warmth and depth to the shot, while the star anise adds a touch of flare and aroma that complements the other flavors.

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the Frat Brother’s Kitten

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Fraternity Bros’ Kittens are a great choice for a celebration, especially for those who are looking for a soft alternative to traditional shots. These shots not only look fun and festive, they have a nice balance of sweet and tart flavors.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz orange juice
  • 1 oz raspberry syrup
  • 1 oz blue curaçao syrup
  • 1 oz lemon-lime soda
  • Whipped cream
  • Rainbow sprinkles
  • Maraschino cherries

Instructions:

Fill two shot glasses with equal portions of orange juice, raspberry syrup, and blue curaçao syrup, creating three separate layers. Carefully pour the lemon-lime soda on top of the blue curaçao syrup, being careful not to disturb the other layers. Spoon a dollop of whipped cream on top of each shot and sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles. Place a maraschino cherry on top of the whipped cream for garnish.

The raspberry syrup provides a sweet, fruity flavor, while the blue curaçao syrup adds a touch of sweetness and a bright blue color. The lemon-lime soda adds a fizz and a tartness that complements the other flavors. The whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles make it a playful and fun addition to any celebration. The maraschino cherry on top adds a pop of sweetness and a classic touch to the shot.

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Chocolate Almond Cold Brew Martini

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We wanted to create a well-balanced drink that incorporates the bold, rich flavor of cold-brew coffee. This cocktail is a creamy, chocolatey, coffee drink that is perfect for any time of day and any occasion.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz cold-brew coffee or double shot of espresso
  • 2 oz almond milk
  • 1 oz chocolate syrup
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup (or to taste) (recipe below)
  • Ice cubes
  • Whipped cream (optional)
  • Cocoa powder (optional)

Instructions:

Fill a shaker with ice. Add the cold-brew coffee, almond milk, chocolate syrup, and simple syrup to the shaker. Shake well to mix and aerate. Strain the mixture into a martini glass (or a highball glass filled with ice). Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cocoa powder, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy.

This coffee-based non-alcoholic cocktail has a smooth, creamy texture. The cold-brew coffee provides a bold, rich flavor; the almond milk adds a nutty, creamy quality; and the chocolate syrup contributes a sweet, chocolatey flavor. The whipped cream, if desired, provides a light, creamy texture, and the cocoa powder, if desired, adds a slightly bitter, chocolatey flavor.

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Old Fashioned

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This is a new twist on an old fashioned–a cocktail that typically consists of bourbon, orange peel, bitters, and cherry.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz brewed black tea
  • 3/4 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
  • 1/2 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 oz pure maple syrup (or agave syrup)
  • 2-4 dashes of aromatic bitters (Fee Brothers or similar)
  • Orange peel & Luxardo maraschino cherry, for garnish

Instructions:

Brew the black tea ahead of time, letting it chill until it’s time to make your drinks.

In a double old fashioned glass filled with ice cubes (or one large cube) and add the tea. In a shaker, add the cranberry juice, orange juice, syrup, and bitters. Gently shake to mix. Strain the mixture into your glass with tea. Express the orange peel over the drink to release its essential oils, then use it to garnish the drink. Add cherries as desired. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Ideas to Modify:

To enhance the flavor and complexity of the mocktail, you could try infusing the black tea with some herbs or spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, or cardamom, before mixing it with the other ingredients. Or, consider using a different type of juice, such as pomegranate or grapefruit juice, to replace the cranberry juice, which can add a unique flavor to the drink. Instead of using maple syrup, you could try using honey or a honey syrup, which can add a floral note to the mocktail. To give the drink a smoky flavor that’s reminiscent of a traditional Old Fashioned, you could try using lapsang souchong tea instead of black tea, which has a smoky flavor due to its drying process over pine wood fires.

This non-alcoholic Old Fashioned has a fruity, sweet-tart flavor with a slightly bitter finish. The black tea is used instead of bourbon, giving the cocktail a rich taste in lieu of the alcohol. The unsweetened cranberry juice provides a tart fruity flavor, the orange juice provides a citrus flavor, and the maple syrup balances the flavors with sweetness and dark sugar notes. The bitters provide an aromatic quality that is typical of an Old Fashioned.