Lemon Drop shot
the recipe to start with
Rub the outside rim of the shot glass with lemon and dip it in the sugar. Chill the glass.
Shake the vodka, lemon juice and syrup with plenty of ice for 10 seconds.
Strain into the chilled shot glass, filling it to just below the rim.
Serve immediately — a shot left waiting loses its chill within a minute.
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Two techniques, that’s all you need
Pour in layers. Liquids with more sugar are heavier and sink; liquids with more alcohol are lighter and float. So always pour from heavy to light, and let each layer run over the rounded side of a bar spoon held just above the previous one. That’s how the B52 works. Didn’t it work? Empty the glass and start again — pouring over a disturbed layer never turns out right. Serve ice-cold. For anything drunk neat — Salmari, vodka, jenever — the rule is: put the bottle in the freezer, and chill the glasses for twenty minutes too. Cold softens the sharpness of alcohol and makes the liqueur more syrupy, making it much more pleasant to drink. And one practical rule: don’t pour until everyone is ready.
The right glass
Shot glasses generally come in two shapes, and that choice matters. A straight, narrow model measuring 5 to 6.5 cl keeps layered shots neatly separated and makes the layers appear optically thicker — this is the glass for a B52. A tapered shot glass measuring 3.5 to 4 cl is intended for neat drinks and dropshots: smaller, thicker-walled, and easier to hold. In both cases, choose thick glass; shot glasses knock against each other hard over the course of an evening. Count on at least twelve glasses — shots are never shared between just two people.
Arcoroc Islande Shot Glass 6.5 cl (12 pieces)
RCR Opera Shot Glass 6 cl (6 pieces)
Together € 44,90 — enough for an entire evening.
The right tools
For a shot, in addition to the glass, you use a small shaker, a bar spoon for stirring, and a jigger for precise measuring. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you can find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glass set (our choice 01) + 3 bar tools — together € 59,80.
What do you make these Shots with?
For these shots, you need Beerenburg. Well-known bottles include Jägermeister and Salmari. On each drink page, you can read the alcohol percentage, what it tastes like, which cocktails it pairs with, and which glass you need.
Ten shots
Types of shots at a glance
The types of shots on this page fall into three groups. Shaken shots with citrus, such as the Lemon Drop and the Kamikaze, need acidity and sugar to achieve balance. Layered shots are all about technique; the B52 is the best-known example. Then there is the group you drink neat and ice-cold, such as Salmari or jenever with beer. Well-known shots from the last group need no more than a freezer and a little patience, while the other two require a shaker or a bar spoon.
Fun shots for a full table
Fun shots aren't necessarily the strongest: at a full table, variety works better than repeating the same round. Start with something fresh and shaken, keep a layered shot ready for the moment everyone is watching, and finish with something neat from the freezer. Good shots almost always need some counterbalance: without lemon, coffee, or herbs, all that remains is sweetness. A few shots of spirits per person are enough for an evening, especially if you spread them over a few rounds instead of having them all one after another.
Frequently asked questions
How much goes in a shot glass?
A standard shot is 3 to 4 cl. Shot glasses are often slightly larger - 5 to 6.5 cl - so you can make layered shots without having to fill them to the brim.
Which shot glass do you need?
Straight and narrow for layered shots, tapered and small for neat spirits. View our shot glasses and liqueur glasses.
How do you keep the layers neatly separated?
Pour from heavy to light - starting with the most sugary - and let each layer run over the rounded side of a bar spoon. Place the glass on the table, not in your hand.
Can you make shots in advance?
Shaken shots can be made in advance: mix them in a bottle and put it in the freezer, then you can pour twelve at once. Layered shots are always made per glass.
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