Apple Pie Shot

Nothing says “fall” like the taste of a hot apple pie on a crisp autumn day. Sure, you could spend hours baking a pie from scratch, but why do that when you could just whip up a tasty Apple Pie shot instead? This delicious dessert-flavored slammer is the perfect mini cocktail for your next seasonal party.

What Is an Apple Pie Shot?

An Apple Pie shot (see also: Washington Apple Shot)is a boozy cocktail slammer that tastes like a warm apple pie fresh from the oven, topped with melty vanilla ice cream. It gets its fresh baked flavor from a tasty combination of cinnamon whiskey, vanilla vodka, and fresh apple cider. Top it with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or apple pie spice for a mini cocktail that warms you from the inside out.

How to Make an Apple Pie Shot

Instead of spending hours in the kitchen baking an apple pie from scratch, why not recreate that same delicious taste in a shot? All you need is some vanilla vodka, apple cider, cinnamon whiskey, whipped cream and cinnamon for garnish.

To make a pair of Apple Pie shots, start by filling a cocktail shaker with ice, then add your vanilla vodka, apple cider, and cinnamon whiskey. Close the shaker and shake it to combine the ingredients, then strain your cocktail into two tall shot glasses. Garnish each shot with a dollop of canned whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for the most authentic apple pie flavor.

If you want to make a larger batch to share with friends, then you can scale up this recipe by using equal parts of cider, vodka, and whiskey – one ounce each for every two shots. For example, if you want to make a round for six, use three ounces each of apple cider, vodka, and whiskey. Shake, strain and garnish as usual.

Substitutions

Most bars reach for Fireball whiskey for Apple Pie shots because the cinnamon flavor and high alcohol content create a warming sensation when you drink it. If you don’t have Fireball on hand or prefer something a little less strong, then feel free to swap it out for any cinnamon schnapps. Goldschlager is always a fun choice with its flecks of real gold leaf. If you have it on hand, you can also swap the vanilla vodka for whipped cream vodka.

As for the cider, any fresh apple cider from the store will do, but the better the cider, the better the flavor of your Apple Pie shots. Fresh spiced cider from a local orchard is the best choice, but it’s not essential, and plain apple juice will do in a pinch. If you want to make your shots a little boozier, then try using your favorite hard cider, apple whiskey, or apple vodka.

Apple Pie Shot Variations

Are you looking for more sweet apple-flavored cocktails and slammers? Here are a few other boozy treats you can whip up at home.

Apple Pie Cocktail

If you’re in the mood for a slow sipping apple cocktail, then this apple pie drink will hit the spot. To make it, combine 5 ounces of apple cider, 1½ ounces of cinnamon whiskey, and 1½ ounces of vanilla vodka in a cocktail shaker. Shake to combine and strain over ice into an old-fashioned glass rimmed with raw turbinado sugar. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a sprinkle of nutmeg, if desired.

Caramel Apple Shot

This sweet apple cocktail is a milder version of the Apple Pie shot, and all you need to make it is butterscotch schnapps and sour apple schnapps. Combine 1 ounce of each in a cocktail shaker with ice, then shake, strain into a shot glass, and serve.

Washington Apple Shot

This apple-flavored slammer gets its apple flavor from sour apple schnapps. To make it, combine ¾ ounce each of Canadian whisky, apple schnapps, and cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake, then strain into a tall, chilled shot glass.

Apple Jack Shot

If you’re looking for something even simpler, this two-ingredient cocktail packs a punch(see also: Trash Can Punch Recipe). To make it, combine 1 ounce of your favorite bourbon or whiskey and 1 ounce of apple schnapps in a shot glass. No shaking, no stirring. Easy as pie.

Poison Apple Shot

This sour apple-flavored shot gets its poisonous bite from Jagermeister, a medicinal-tasting herbal liqueur. To make it, combine ¾ ounce each of Jagermeister, sour apple schnapps, and cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake, strain, and serve immediately.