Zombie Brain Shot Recipe

Next time you’re looking for a creepy cocktail for a Halloween event or a watch party for The Walking Dead, try out this Zombie Brain shot recipe. This swirling layered shot looks complicated to make, but thanks to a bit of culinary science, it’s actually dead simple to whip one up for yourself or a round for friends.

What Is a Zombie Brain Shot Recipe?

The Zombie Brain shot is a creepy Halloween themed cocktail slammer that gets its name from the fact that it looks like a zombie’s oozy brain floating in liquid. It combines clear peach schnapps, green creme de menthe, Irish cream liqueur, and a dash of grenadine, which is admittedly an odd-tasting combination. But the unique mixture of these liqueurs creates a bit of cocktail magic that results in the Zombie Brain shot’s spooky appearance.

How to Make a Zombie Brain Shot Recipe

The swirling layers of the Zombie Brain shot recipe may look complicated, but they’re very simple to make. In fact, as long as you perform the steps in the right order, this shot layers itself. You’ll need some peach schnapps, green creme de menthe, Irish cream, and grenadine, as well as a tall shot glass (or more, if you’re making a round with friends) and a bar spoon.

Start by pouring 1 ounce of peach schnapps into each shot glass. If you don’t have peach schnapps, any clear liquor or liqueur will do, but fruity-flavored schnapps will give you the best flavor. Next, add ¼ ounce (or a splash) of green creme de menthe, which gives your Zombie Brain shot its sickly green color. Allow it to swirl with the schnapps on its own, but don’t stir it.

Next, use the back of a bar spoon to float ½ ounce of Irish cream on top of the peach schnapps and creme de menthe. A regular spoon will work just as well if you don’t have a bar spoon. And don’t worry if the layers aren’t perfect because you’ll be muddying them up a bit in the next step anyway. Just try to get as much of the Irish cream to stay on top of the other liqueurs.

Finally, drizzle ¼ ounce of grenadine into the middle of the shot. The heaviness of the syrup will cause it to sink to the bottom of the shot, dragging some of the Irish cream down with it. This effect makes the Zombie Brain shot recipe look like a zombie’s bloody (see also: The Best Bourbon Bloody Mary Recipes)brain stem.

Serve immediately, and swallow in one gulp. You won’t soon forget the oddly tasty combination of peaches, cherries, cream, and mint.

Zombie Brain Shot Recipe Variations

The basic Zombie Brain Shot recipe (see also: Scooby Snack Shot Recipe)is all about the look, not the taste, so feel free to substitute liqueurs as needed. Any clear alcohol will do for the base, so you can substitute vodka or rum if that’s what you’ve got on hand. Here are a few other spooky, Halloween-themed cocktails you can make at home:

Brain Hemorrhage Shot

This simplified version of the Zombie Brain shot eliminates the creme de menthe and the creepy green color. To make it, pour 1 ounce of peach schnapps into a tall shot glass, then float 1 ounce of Irish cream on top. Finally, drizzle in a splash of grenadine, just like in the Zombie Brain shot, and serve.

Alien Brain Hemorrhage Shot

This variation on the Zombie Brain shot substitutes Blue Curacao in place of the creme de menthe, which gives it a fruitier flavor and a more alien appearance. Prepare it the same way as the Zombie Brain shot, drizzling ¼ ounce of Blue Curacao instead of green creme de menthe.

Wolf Bite Shot

This spooky layered shot has a surprising licorice twist that will have you and your guests howling at the moon. To make it, combine ½ ounce of melon liqueur, ¼ ounce of absinthe, 1 ounce of pineapple juice, and a splash of lemon-lime soda in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to combine, then strain into a cocktail glass. Drizzle a dash of grenadine in the middle for an oozy red cloud.

Black Rose Shot

This swirling shot is sweet, spooky, and super easy to make. Combine ¾ ounce of Tequila Rose liqueur with ¾ ounce of black vodka in a shot glass. The Tequila Rose “blooms” in the black vodka for a shimmering swirl that will mesmerize your party guests.