14 Fun and Festive Christmas Party Shots

Enjoy a round with old friends

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 09/7/21
Red Snapper Shot Drink

The Spruce

When it's time for holiday parties, you may be thinking that a few booze-filled shots are in order. The gathering of friends around Christmas and New Year's is a great opportunity to share a round of drinks. Luckily, there are some very fun shooter recipes you can mix up. From delicious sweets to robust whiskey shots, these drinks are sure to make it a merry night.

  • 01 of 14

    Snowshoe

    Snowshoe shot

    The Spruce

    Warm-up from the inside out with the snowshoe. It's a simple whiskey shot that's best when made with a big, bold bourbon because the cool taste of peppermint schnapps will tame it down nicely. Be careful when you serve this—pouring high-proof options for both liquors can turn this one into a very potent little drink.

  • 02 of 14

    Three Wise Men

    Three Wise Men Whiskey Shot

    The Spruce

    A fun play on the Christmas theme, the three wise men shot is filled with a trio of whiskey legends. Combining scotch, Tennessee whiskey, and bourbon in one drink creates a fascinating flavor with a little taste of each whiskey style. It's also not quite as strong as you may think because it's shaken, and the dilution helps it go down nice and smooth.

  • 03 of 14

    Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Shooter

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    The grasshopper is a fun creamy shot you will not want to miss because it has that favorite holiday combination of mint and chocolate. The color comes from green crème de menthe, so it's sure to fit the party theme.

  • 04 of 14

    Snowball

    Snowball Shot With Brandy

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    Brandy is a fantastic liquor for the winter months, though it doesn't typically appear in shooters. The snowball is one of the exceptions, combining brandy with peppermint schnapps and crème de cacao. It's a great twist on the average mint-chocolate drink.

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  • 05 of 14

    Cinnamon Toasty

    Cinnamon Toasty Shot (aka Tomahawk Shooter)
    Rakoskerti / E+ / Getty Images

    The cinnamon toasty is one you'll want to drink all winter and it's a great choice for a toast with old friends gathered for the holidays. The combination of cinnamon schnapps and amaretto has an instant warming quality that's perfect for a cold night.

  • 06 of 14

    Polar Bear

    Polar bear shot recipe

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    The mint chocolate flavor makes another appearance in the polar bear. This one takes a different approach to the classic combo, opting for white crème de cacao liqueur and peppermint schnapps. The result is a clear-colored shooter that goes down easy (maybe a little too easy!).

  • 07 of 14

    Red Snapper

    Red Snapper Shot Drink

    The Spruce

    Few whiskey shots can compare to the appealing taste of the red snapper. This one customarily features a specific Canadian whisky, though nearly any whiskey will do. Whatever you choose to pour, it will go great with the amaretto and cranberry juice in this festive drink that's perfect for a Christmas party.

  • 08 of 14

    Santa Shot

    Santa shot shooter recipe

    The Spruce / Teena Agnel

    A layered shooter lets you show off some bartending skills. The ideal recipe for the holiday theme is the Santa shot. This one is a colorful combination of grenadine, green crème de menthe, and peppermint schnapps. As you might expect, it's very minty, but the sweet fruit of the grenadine does a fair job of counteracting it.

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  • 09 of 14

    Oatmeal Cookie

    Oatmeal Cookie Shooter

     The Spruce

    The holidays are a great excuse to indulge in all sorts of sweet treats. If you want the taste of a cookie in a glass, try this decadent oatmeal cookie shooter. It's a quick and easy mix of butterscotch schnapps, Irish cream, Jägermeister, and cinnamon schnapps, and it's absolutely delicious.

  • 10 of 14

    Chocolate Cake

    Chocolate Cake Shooter

    The Spruce

    Unsuspecting ingredients come together to create a shooter that tastes like chocolate cake. The recipe may not look the part, with its combination of citrus, vanilla, clear vodka, and hazelnut liqueur, but the flavor will convince you otherwise. Things get even more unusual when you suck on a sugar-coated lemon after drinking it.

  • 11 of 14

    Pudding Shots

    Pudding Shots

    The Spruce

    Pudding shots are fun to share and easy to make in advance. These boozy little delights are eaten rather than drunk and can take on any flavor you like. For a Christmas party, try the chocolate-mint version or go all out with the chocolate cream. A mocha pudding shot with coffee liqueur and chocolate vodka is another tasty option.

  • 12 of 14

    Silver Bullet

    Silver Bullet Shooter With Gin and Scotch

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    The silver bullet is a shot that combines two common bar ingredients that are generally not associated with one another. Both happen to be favorites for the season, so it seems like a good time to give it a try. All you need for this one is gin and scotch, though a lemon twist is a nice touch.

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  • 13 of 14

    PB and Bacon

    PB and Bacon Shooter (aka Big Fat Elvis Shot)

    Jason Westplate

    Extraordinary does not even begin to describe the PB and bacon shot! If you're a fan of DIY projects and bacon, this is definitely the recipe for you, and it's sure to turn a few heads. The recipe combines a bacon-washed whiskey with peanut butter-infused amaretto, maple syrup, and apple-smoked sea salt. It's a mouthful in more ways than one.

  • 14 of 14

    Woo Woo

    Woo Woo cocktail

    The Spruce 

    If vodka is more your thing, a great option is the colorful and fruity woo woo. It's one of those versatile drinks that work just as well as a martini as it does a shooter. The color and dominance of cranberry juice fit the holiday theme and the peach schnapps gives it a delightful twist. Plus, you get to say, "woo woo" every time you make it. What better way to celebrate with friends?