Embrace the festive spirit with these Christmas Sugar Cookie Shots, a delightful blend of creamy sweetness and holiday cheer. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy winter night, each shot celebrates classic sugar cookie flavors paired with a smooth, boozy kick.
This cheerful cocktail combines Baileys Irish Cream, vanilla vodka, amaretto, and rich half-and-half, creating a luscious, velvety texture. The frosted rims adorned with colorful Christmas sprinkles add a whimsical touch, making every sip as joyful visually as it is in taste.
- Simple and quick to prepare with minimal ingredients but impressive festive flair.
- Combines creamy and nutty flavors reminiscent of classic sugar cookies and holiday treats.
- Perfectly portioned shot size ideal for tasting or sharing during holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- Baileys Irish Cream: Adds rich, creamy Irish whiskey-flavored sweetness to balance the cocktail’s smoothness.
- Vanilla Vodka: Provides a clean vanilla essence giving warmth and depth to the drink.
- Half & Half or Whole Milk: For a smooth, creamy texture that blends perfectly with the liqueurs.
- Amaretto: Offers a sweet almond flavor that complements the vanilla and cream beautifully.
- White Icing: Used to rim the shot glasses, acting as a sticky base for sprinkles and adding a sugary finish.
- Christmas Jimmies Sprinkles: Bright, festive sprinkles that decorate the glass rims and enhance the holiday vibe.
Instructions
- Prepare the Glass Rims
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Start by spreading a thin, even layer of white icing around the rims of each shot glass using a butter knife. This layer acts as an adhesive for the sprinkles, ensuring they stick well and create a festive look.
- Apply Christmas Sprinkles
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Pour the colorful Christmas Jimmies sprinkles into a shallow bowl. Gently press and roll the iced rims into the sprinkles to fully coat them. Avoid twisting motions to prevent wiping off the icing, which keeps the sprinkles intact and attractive.
- Combine Cocktail Ingredients
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In a cocktail shaker, pour the Baileys Irish Cream, vanilla vodka, half & half (or whole milk), and amaretto together. Mixing these liquids thoroughly ensures each shot is perfectly blended with balanced flavors.
- Shake or Stir to Chill
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Give the mixture a gentle shake or stir just until well-combined and chilled. This aerates the drink slightly, enhancing its smoothness, but be careful not to dilute it with too much ice.
- Strain and Serve
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Strain the creamy cocktail evenly into the sprinkle-rimmed shot glasses. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors and creamy texture while the sprinkles and icing are at their best.
- Using chilled glasses before icing helps the sprinkles adhere better and keeps the shots cooler longer.
- You can substitute whole milk for half-and-half for a lighter, less creamy drink without losing much flavor.
- Adjust the vodka and amaretto quantities if you prefer stronger or milder shots.
- Serve shots promptly to retain freshness and the visual appeal of the sprinkle-rimmed glasses.
- Contains alcohol; drink responsibly and ensure legal drinking age compliance.
Storage Tips
These shots are best consumed fresh and chilled immediately before serving. If needed, store the mixed cocktail in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours but do not rim glasses with icing and sprinkles in advance to maintain their texture.
Serving Suggestions
Present these Christmas Sugar Cookie Shots alongside other holiday desserts or appetizers to impress guests. Consider a garnish like mini sugar cookies or peppermint sticks for an extra festive touch.
- Use full-fat half & half for the creamiest texture; skim milk will thin out the drink.
- For a more pronounced sugar cookie flavor, add a drop of vanilla extract or a pinch of ground nutmeg.
- To make cleanup easier, line a tray with parchment paper to catch stray sprinkles when rimming glasses.
- Experiment with flavored sprinkles to match other seasonal themes beyond Christmas.
FAQs
- Can I make the shots ahead of time?
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You can prepare the cocktail mix up to 24 hours in advance and keep refrigerated, but rimmed glasses should be done just before serving for best texture.
- What if I don’t have amaretto?
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You can substitute with another almond-flavored liqueur or omit it for a less nutty, but still delicious, flavor profile.
- Can I make a non-alcoholic version?
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Replace Baileys Irish Cream and liquor with cream or flavored syrups like vanilla and almond extract, but keep in mind it won’t replicate the original taste exactly.
- What type of sprinkles works best?
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Small, colorful Christmas Jimmies sprinkles adhere well and add festive color; avoid coarse or large sprinkles that don’t stick easily.
- Can these shots be served in bigger glasses?
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While traditionally served as shots, this drink can be scaled up to mini cocktail glasses if preferred, adjusting ingredient quantities accordingly.
Christmas Sugar Cookie Shots
Equipment
- 1 cocktail shaker
- 4 shot glasses
- 1 small bowl for sprinkles
- 1 butter knife for spreading icing
Ingredients
- 3 ounces Baileys Irish Cream
- 3 ounces vanilla vodka
- 2 ounces half-and-half or whole milk
- 2 ounces amaretto
- White icing for rimming glasses
- Christmas Jimmies sprinkles
Instructions
- Spread a thin, even layer of white icing around the rims of each shot glass using a butter knife.
- Pour Christmas Jimmies sprinkles into a small bowl and gently press the frosted rims of each glass into the sprinkles until fully coated.
- Combine Baileys Irish Cream, vanilla vodka, half-and-half or whole milk, and amaretto in a cocktail shaker.
- Gently shake or stir the mixture until well combined and chilled.
- Strain the cocktail evenly into the sprinkle-rimmed shot glasses and serve immediately.
Notes
- Substitute whole milk for half-and-half for a lighter drink.
- Adjust vodka and amaretto for stronger shots.
- Use chilled glasses before icing for better sprinkle adhesion.
- Serve immediately for best freshness and flavor.
- Contains alcohol; drink responsibly if of legal age.
