Entertaining

5 Easy Shots That Taste Just Like Dessert

In the world of party shooters, this dessert-inspired shot is a modern classic. Easy to make at any bar, the simple blend of vodka, pineapple juice and grenadine gets a buttery, vanilla upgrade from cake-flavored vodka.

While you could spend the whole day picking apples in an orchard to make the perfect apple pie, lattice crust and all, we prefer to stay cozy at home, drinking these easy apple pie shots. A Fireball Cinnamon Whisky base brings those baking spice flavors and a little heat, while butterscotch schnapps tastes like flaky pastry crust. Lemon juice keeps things from getting too sweet, and, of course, apple cider captures that warm, inviting feeling of fall. While you can use apple juice if that’s all that’s available to you, apple cider gives the shot that bright and tangy flavor of a real apple pie—just like mom made it (only a lot boozier).

Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert that can take years of practice to master, and it still won’t ever be as good as your nonna’s. Take the easy way out with this shooter, which tastes just like the layered treat. Baileys Irish cream offers that creamy cocoa flavor, Patrón XO Café has the essence of coffee, and a touch of vodka gives it that signature boozy bite. Top it off with a dollop of whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder. Even nonna would approve.

Key lime pie may be the best thing Florida has ever given the country. It’s sweet but tart, creamy yet light—a symphony of balanced tropical flavors. Made with key lime juice (it’s sweeter and more aromatic than your standard lime juice) and RumChata, this liquid take on the pie also includes whipped cream-flavored vodka to replicate the traditional topping. Garnished with a graham cracker crust rim, it’ll make you feel like your basking in the Key West sun.

Inspired by the New Orleans classic, bananas foster, this golden, Mardi Gras-ready shooter combines gold rum with banana liqueur and RumChata for a touch of cinnamon and vanilla. Gold rum gives it that essential burnt sugar quality, but dark or even spiced rum would work too, if that’s what you have around. Rim the glass in caramel sauce for an extra treat to lick when all the booze is gone, then make yourself another.