Pineapple Upside Down Shot

The classic pineapple upside down cake is a one of a kind dessert, but you can recreate it in a Pineapple Upside Down shot. With pineapple juice, vanilla vodka, and grenadine, this dessert flavored shot has all the flavor of the original cake dessert in a small, slammable shot that you can whip up in minutes. Here’s everything you need to know to make a round at home yourself.

What Is a Pineapple Upside Down Shot?

A Pineapple Upside Down shot, sometimes called a Pineapple Upside Down Cake shot, is a tangy dessert shot (see also: Dessert Shot). It gets its name from the pineapple upside down cake, a dense, cake-like dessert that’s assembled upside down in a cake pan, with the decorative cherry and pineapple slice on the bottom and the cake batter poured on top.

Like the pineapple upside down cake, this sweet shot is also assembled upside down. It features sweet vanilla vodka (or cake vodka, if you prefer) and pineapple juice to recreate the cake flavor, and a splash of grenadine syrup to mimic the cherry on top (or, in this case, the bottom). The layers of color look fancy, but this shot layers itself, thanks to the density of the grenadine syrup.

How to Make a Pineapple Upside Down Shot

All you’ll need to make a round of these tasty cake flavored shots at home is a cocktail shaker with ice, tall shot glasses, vanilla vodka, pineapple juice, and grenadine. If you have maraschino cherries on hand, they make a great garnish, but they’re optional, so don’t worry if you’re out.

Start by adding ice to your cocktail shaker, followed by 1 ounce each of vanilla vodka and pineapple juice. Next, shake to combine, and then you’re ready to pour your shots. There are two common ways to assemble the Pineapple Upside Down shot – grenadine first or pineapple first.

Pineapple Upside Down Shot – Grenadine First

This assembly method requires some skill but gives you cleaner layers and a more beautiful shot. Start by pouring the grenadine into the bottom of a tall shot glass. Next, using the back of a bar spoon to keep the layers separate, carefully strain the pineapple juice and vodka into the glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, if desired.

Pineapple Upside Down Shot – Pineapple First

This method requires no fancy bar prep skills and still produces an attractive layered shot. Start by straining the pineapple juice and vodka into a tall shot glass. Next, pour the grenadine into the middle of the shot glass, or use a bar spoon to drizzle it down the side.

Either way, the density of the grenadine will cause it to settle to the bottom within seconds, resulting in a slightly cloudy but still beautifully layered shot. As before, you can garnish with a cherry or skip it, whichever you prefer.

Pineapple Upside Down Shot Variations

Can’t get enough of that tropical pineapple flavor? Here are some other delicious pineapple-flavored shots and cocktail recipes to make your mouth water.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Cocktail

This scaled-up version of the Pineapple Upside Down shot is a slow sipping tropical cocktail. To make it, combine 3 ounces of pineapple juice and 1½ ounces of vanilla vodka in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass, then drizzle grenadine into the bottom. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry on a cocktail pick.

Pineapple Jello Shot

Next time you need to bring something to a potluck or party, mix up a batch of these tangy Pineapple Jello shots. To make them, boil a cup of water in a small saucepan. Remove it from the heat and stir in a packet of pineapple flavored gelatin.

In a separate bowl, combine ½ cup of ice water and ½ cup of pineapple flavored vodka. Transfer the hot gelatin mixture into the bowl and stir to combine. Pour into disposable plastic condiment cups and chill in the fridge for at least two hours. Garnish with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, if desired, to make a jello version of the Pineapple Upside Down shot.

Blue Pineapple Shot

This tropical-flavored slammer gets its color from Blue Curacao citrus liqueur. It’s a sweet and frosty cocktail that whips up in a flash. To make it, fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice, then add 1 ounce of coconut rum, (see also: Best Coconut Rum)1 ounce of pineapple juice, and ½ ounce of Blue Curacao. Shake until combined and very cold, then strain into tall shot glasses.

Pineapple Screwdriver

This tropical cocktail is a twist on the Pineapple Upside Down Shot cocktail. It’s perfect for brunch or any time you need a refreshing sip. To make a batch, combine 1 cup of pineapple juice, 1 cup of orange juice, and ½ cup of vodka in a large pitcher. Stir, then pour over ice in a highball glass to serve. Garnish with a skewer of pineapple, orange, and a maraschino cherry, if desired.