20 Tasty, Unique Shot Recipes, Created by Our @cocktails Team

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6

Yes, it requires a few adorable props, like mini pails and shovels. But this mix of coconut rum, pineapple juice and grapefruit juice is begging for a spot on your next cookout menu. “A tropical treat that’s just as adorable as it is tasty,” Cameron asserts. “You’ll be the star of your summer parties.”

• Time Commitment: 4 hours and 30 minutes (includes chilling time)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 20

It’ll take you some time and effort to scrape the lime rinds clean, but I promise it’ll be worth the elbow grease. “If you’re looking for a way to elevate your Jell-O Shots, this is the way to do it,” Cameron explains, no doubt referring to the fancy-ish flourish of flaky salt the shots get at the end. “Absolutely delicious and perfect for summer!”

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

You won’t need a blender for this island-inspired shot recipe (but you will need to toast some shredded coconut for the glass rims, if you’re feeling fancy). “I’m a huge fan of piña coladas, and these are just as delicious,” Cameron attests. “With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll be on island time in no time.”

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

TBH, this is more like a booze-infused dessert than it is a proper shot…but it’s served in shot glasses and it’s scrumptious, so I’ll let it slide. “I loved how these turned out,” Diaz admits. “Everything you love about tiramisu in a boozy shot! Plus, they’re absolutely gorgeous.”

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 3

These cuties have major strawberry daiquiri energy, but they come in a much smaller package that’s just as dangerously delicious. “Make these on a hot summer day—you can thank me later,” Diaz jokes. “They’re incredibly refreshing, and the lemon bowls take them to a whole new level.”

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6

“I served these at a girls’ night recently, and everyone loved them,” Cameron claims. “Bonus points for being absolutely adorable.” Feel free to swap vodka for gin if you’d prefer (or even olives for pickles, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous).

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes (includes chilling time)
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 30+

“As a huge Sour Patch Kids fan, I was obsessed with these!” Cameron raves. “It takes a bit of time to get all of the colors mixed up, but it’s totally worth it.” Vodka lends itself well to this shot recipe because of its neutral taste, but you can substitute tequila or silver rum if you’d prefer.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes (includes setting time)
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 12

I adore how over-the-top these are while still looking sleek, sophisticated and understated. (Whipped cream, fresh lemon and mint leaves have that effect.) “I love limoncello, so these were right up my alley,” Cameron says. “They’re smooth, creamy and the perfect addition to a summer night.”

• Time Commitment: 4 hours and 15 minutes (includes chilling time)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8

“I didn’t think espresso martinis could get any better—until these,” Cameron writes. “They’re insanely delicious, capturing everything you love about the classic cocktail in fun, Jell-O form. And the mini martini cups? Absolute perfection.”

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: varies

The most time-consuming part of this shot recipe is slicing, hulling and seasoning the pickle “glasses.” But after all, presentation is everything. “I had no idea pickle shot glasses were a thing,” Cameron explains. “The flavor combo was absolutely next level.”

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 12

Most of the time commitment is dedicated to baking and preparing the cookie cups with melted chocolate and sprinkles. If you do it in advance though, all you’ll need to do at the party is load ’em up with Irish cream liqueur. “I served these as a dessert at the end of a holiday party, and they were incredibly delicious,” Cameron says. “Just add festive sprinkles for whatever season you’re in.”

• Time Commitment: 4 hours and 20 minutes (includes chilling time)
• Why I Love It: make ahead, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

Cameron calls this, “one of my go-to Jell-O shot recipes for summer! It’s a boozy twist on the iconic treat served at Disney.” Slice the pineapple garnishes while the shot filling sets in the fridge or save time by using dried pineapple pieces or toasted coconut instead.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: varies

“So easy and incredibly satisfying to make,” Cameron attests. “Just grab a silicone shot mold and some caramel candies, then pair it with your favorite booze.” (Bourbon-spiked eggnog, buttered rum, boozy mulled cider and cinnamon whiskey are all fair game.) Warning: You’ll need the oven for this one.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes (includes chilling time)
• Why I Love It: make ahead, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

If you want to flex your bartender *and* chef skills at the same time, this surprisingly elegant shot recipe can help. The banana garnishes are coated with caramelized sugar, then the shots are stunningly assembled with crushed wafer cookies, caramel sauce and rum-laced banana pudding.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, no cook
• Serves: 2

Nutty, sweet and creamy, this shot recipe’s flavor is super nostalgic. “This is my go-to shot recipe whenever someone asks—and it’s always a crowd favorite at any party,” Cameron alleges. Might I suggest using sugar cookie crumbs on the rims instead of sprinkles?

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

It doesn’t get easier than layering a heavy cream float and Licor 43, a sweet, aromatic Spanish liqueur. Due to differing liquid densities, the heavy cream sits atop the base, like foam on a real beer. “Serve them in mini beer shot glasses for a fun touch,” Cameron suggests.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 1

“I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this one, but I was shocked by how delicious it was,” Diaz admits. “It’s messy, but worth it!” The recipe uses silver tequila, but you could also try it with mezcal for a smoky twist, or vodka if you want the pickle brine’s flavor to shine.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
• Serves: 6

“If you love cookie butter, you need to try these,” Diaz urges. “They were seriously dreamy, and they’re made with just four ingredients.” The filling is no doubt decadent, salty and indulgent, but it’s the latte art-like cookie butter hearts on top for me.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 3

Just as easy as the O.G. but shrunken for shot-shooting purposes. The key to its ombré appearance is slowing pouring the grenadine down the back of a spoon against the inner rim of the shot glass. This helps it sink to the bottom, creating a sunset-like look.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

This one calls for a special ingredient, Tequila Rose. It’s a tequila-spiked strawberry cream liqueur. If you don’t want to spring for the real deal, substitute more tequila, turned pink with strawberry syrup. (Just don’t skip the chocolate coating on the rims, OK?)