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Four Horsemen Shot

Can’t decide which whiskey you want next? Try a Four Horsemen shot, which combines four varieties of whiskey in one powerful slammer. Like the arrival of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, when you pour a round of these, you know wild things are about to happen. Here’s everything you need to know to make it.

Four Horsemen Shot

What Is a Four Horsemen Shot?

The Four Horsemen shot is a popular shot at sports bars, college bars, country western bars, or anywhere you’re likely to find darts, pool tables, and big screen televisions. It’s named for the four brands of whiskey most bartenders use to make it – Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey, John Jameson Irish whiskey, Johnnie Walker scotch, and Jim Beam bourbon. These four regional whiskey varieties show off their unique flavor profiles in this hard-hitting slammer.

How to Make a Four Horsemen Shot

Making a Four Horsemen shot is as simple as it gets, because you don’t need special bar prep skills or equipment – just the biggest shot glass you can find. If you don’t have a shot glass big enough, then a lowball glass will do just as well. This shot isn’t fancy, so don’t worry if you don’t have any fancy glassware. Folks have been drinking Four Horsemen out of coffee mugs for years, so use what you’ve got.

There is one point to be particular about, though, and that’s the liquor selection. To make a true Four Horsemen shot, you need four specific whiskeys – Jim Beam bourbon whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey, John Jameson Irish whiskey, and Johnnie Walker scotch whisky. Jim, Jack, John, and Johnnie are the “Four Horsemen” from which this cocktail gets its name, so brand matters here.

Once you’ve got your liquors together, measure out ¾ ounce of each into your shot glass; no layering, shaking, or even stirring is required. If you don’t have a jigger, you can eyeball the measurements. Again, this isn’t the drink to get fussy over technique about. As long as you’ve got the right liquors in roughly equal proportions, you’ve got a Four Horsemen shot.

Swallow in one gulp, if you dare, or sip it like a true whiskey connoisseur. However you drink it, the Four Horsemen shot screams, “I’m tough as nails.” It’s a huge hit at country, western, and sports bars. Don’t bother with a cocktail shaker if you’re making it at home for yourself and your friends. Just pour each liquor down the line of shot glasses, and if you make a mess in the process, that’s all part of the fun.

Four Horsemen Shot

Four Horsemen Shot

Yield: 1 shot
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes

This strong whiskey cocktail slammer is not for the faint of heart. It combines four kinds of whiskey - bourbon, scotch, Irish, and Tennessee - to make a hard-hitting shooter for the hardest whiskey fanatics. While you can technically use any brand of whiskey, if you want to make a true Four Horsemen shot, you need the four J’s - Jack, Jim, Jameson, and Johnnie.

Ingredients

  • ¾ ounce Jack Daniels whiskey
  • ¾ ounce Jim Beam whiskey
  • ¾ ounce John Jameson whiskey
  • ¾ ounce Johnnie Walker whiskey

Instructions

  1. Pour all ingredients into a large shot glass.

  2. Serve immediately.

Notes

Equipment

  • 3-oz shot glass

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 193Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g

The nutrition data provided is only an estimate.

Four Horsemen Shot Variations

If you don’t have these four specific liquors on hand, you can use any combination of bourbon, scotch, Irish whiskey, and Tennessee whiskey you like, though without the four “J’s,” it’s not technically a Four Horsemen shot. Still, it’s a tasty combination that any whiskey lover will enjoy. Here are a few other Four Horsemen shot variations you can make at home.

Four Horsemen Shot #2

This variation swaps the John Jameson Irish whiskey for another J name – Jose Cuervo Gold tequila. It’s just as strong with a sweet agave kick that brightens the flavor profile of the shot.

Four Horsemen Cocktail

This upsized version of the Four Horsemen shot is slightly more sippable, thanks to the addition of sweet pineapple juice and sweet-and-sour mix. To make it, combine ½ ounce each of Jim Beam bourbon whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey, Johnnie Walker scotch whisky, Jose Cuervo gold tequila, and Jagermeister in a cocktail shaker with ice. (Yes, that is technically five horsemen, and no, no one knows why.)

Top off the shaker with 1 ounce of pineapple juice and 2 ounces of sweet and sour mix. Shake to combine and chill, then strain into a highball glass over ice. Sip slowly and enjoy.

Three Wise Men Shot

This variation on the Four Horsemen shot is one horseman short of a total apocalypse. To make it, pour equal parts of Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniel’s, and Jim Beam in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a shot glass and serve.

Four Horsemen in a Boat

Are you looking to get your sea legs on? Try this variation on the Four Horsemen shot, (see also: The 10 Best Crown Royal Shots To Try)which combines equal parts of bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, scotch, gold tequila, and Grand Marnier in a lowball glass.

Four Horsemen Go to Sea

Hoist your sails and enjoy this sea-faring variation on the Four Horsemen shot. Pour ¼ ounce each of Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s, Johnnie Walker, Jose Cuervo, and Captain Morgan rum in an Old Fashioned glass. Serve neat.

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