Apple Pie Shot
This Apple Pie Shot is a fun and festive drink that captures the comforting flavors of fall in a quick and easy pour. Made with the crisp sweetness of apple cider, a little heat from cinnamon whisky, and the smooth vanilla notes of vodka, it tastes just like fresh-baked apple pie - no oven required!
This apple pie shooter gets its dessert flavor from just three ingredients, shaken with ice until chilled and strained into shot glasses. There's no baking and no special equipment beyond a cocktail shaker, so it comes together quickly. It's a good one for Thanksgiving, fall gatherings or holiday parties when you want a festive drink that's fast to pour.
The smell of baked apples might be one of my favorite scents. Here are two of my favorite apple recipes that you might like too: Apple Dumplings and my Apple Coffee Cake.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
"This shot makes having just fireball so plain! I don't think I can get over how delicious and simple this is."
-Stephanie
Ingredients
No fancy bar cart needed, just simple ingredients and a quick trip to the store.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Apple Cider: Provides a crisp, fresh flavor that forms the base of the shot.
- Cinnamon Whisky: Adds a warm, spicy kick that enhances the apple pie feel.
- Vanilla Vodka: A smooth, vanilla profile to balance the cinnamon spice.
All you need is a cocktail shaker and a few shot glasses. I make mine in a shaker, but if you don't have one, you can mix everything in a glass and pour it into the shot glasses. Chilling the ingredients first will give you a cooler, smoother finish.
Variations
- Spiced Rum Instead: Swap the whisky for spiced rum for a milder spice and caramelized flavor.
- Bourbon Instead: Swap the cinnamon whisky for a bourbon with caramel notes for a smoother, mellower shot that pairs well with the apple and vanilla.
- Vanilla Vodka Swap: Try caramel vodka for a richer, sweeter depth to the shot, or use plain vodka if that is all you have on hand.
- Everclear or Neutral Grain Spirit: Some people use Everclear in apple pie shots, but we have never tried it, and it isn't sold in Canada. Cruxx 190 Proof Neutral Grain Spirit is a Canadian-made rectified neutral grain alcohol that's comparable. It is very high proof, so take care and sip slowly.
How to Make an Apple Pie Shot
Just mix 3 simple items, shake, and pour!
Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
Pour in apple cider, vanilla vodka and cinnamon whisky. Shake until chilled then strain into shot glasses.
Hint: Cold apple cider and liquor make the shot extra refreshing and smooth.
Recipe Tips
- Shaken/Stirred: Shaking chills the shot quickly and blends the apple cider, vanilla vodka and cinnamon whisky evenly. No shaker? Stir everything together in a glass, then pour into your shot glasses.
- Glass: Obviously, we serve this one in a shot glass. But if you prefer, turn it into a sippable cocktail - just double the recipe and serve it over ice (with cinnamon sticks) in a rocks glass.
- Cinnamon Sugar Rim: Dip shot glasses in honey or apple cider, then coat in cinnamon sugar for extra sweetness.
- Garnishes: Optionally, top with a swirl of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon or apple pie spice for a festive touch.
- Batch It: For parties, multiply the recipe and mix it in a pitcher, then chill it and pour straight into shot glasses, with no shaking needed. If you prefer, you can still shake individual servings with ice.
- Serve It Warm: Warm the apple cider first. Then pour it into a heat-safe spouted measuring cup (this makes pouring easier), add the vanilla vodka and cinnamon whisky, give it a quick stir and pour into your shot glasses.
- Make It a Mocktail: Skip the vanilla vodka and cinnamon whisky and stir a splash of vanilla extract and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon into the apple cider for the same fall flavors.
Many of our fall drink and cocktail recipes are made with our Apple Cider Simple Syrup, which is great to have on hand all season long.
More Cocktails and Shots
Serving Suggestions
- More Fall Cocktails: Apple Cider Old Fashioned, Apple Cider Mimosa, Spiked Crockpot Apple Cider, Apple Cider Sangria, or an Apple Cider Moscow Mule.
Apple Pie Shot Recipe FAQs
An apple pie shooter is another name for an apple pie shot: a small, chilled pour of apple cider, vanilla vodka and cinnamon whisky that tastes like apple pie. This recipe uses just those three ingredients.
Fireball is a cinnamon whisky, so you can use it in place of the cinnamon whisky in this recipe.
Yes, warm the apple cider first, then pour it into a heat-safe spouted measuring cup. Add the vanilla vodka and cinnamon whisky, give it a quick stir and pour into shot glasses.
Some people do, but we have never tried it, and Everclear isn't sold in Canada. Cruxx 190 Proof Neutral Grain Spirit is a Canadian-made rectified neutral grain alcohol that's comparable. It is very high proof, so take care and sip slowly.
Bourbon works in place of the cinnamon whisky. Look for one with caramel notes for a smoother, mellower shot, and keep in mind the cinnamon spice will be milder.
Mix the apple cider, vanilla vodka and cinnamon whisky in a pitcher and refrigerate. When you're ready to serve, pour straight from the chilled pitcher into shot glasses, or shake with ice first.
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This Apple Pie Shot tastes like fall in a glass, made with just apple cider, cinnamon whisky and vanilla vodka. Serve it chilled or warm.
Equipment
- Shot Glass
- Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
- 3 ounces apple cider
- 1 ¼- ounce vanilla vodka
- ¾- ounce cinnamon whisky We use Fireball
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Pour in apple cider, vanilla vodka and cinnamon whisky. Shake until chilled then strain into shot glasses.
Notes
- Shaken/Stirred: Shaking chills the shot quickly and blends the apple cider, vanilla vodka and cinnamon whisky evenly. No shaker? Stir everything together in a glass, then pour into your shot glasses.
- Glass: Obviously, we serve this one in a shot glass. But if you prefer, turn it into a sippable cocktail - just double the recipe and serve it over ice (with cinnamon sticks) in a rocks glass.
- Cinnamon Sugar Rim: Dip shot glasses in honey or apple cider, then coat in cinnamon sugar for extra sweetness.
- Garnishes: Optionally, top with a swirl of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon or apple pie spice for a festive touch.
- Batch It: For parties, multiply the recipe and mix it in a pitcher, then chill it and pour straight into shot glasses, with no shaking needed. If you prefer, you can still shake individual servings with ice.
- Serve It Warm: Warm the apple cider first. Then pour it into a heat-safe spouted measuring cup (this makes pouring easier), add the vanilla vodka and cinnamon whisky, give it a quick stir and pour into your shot glasses.
- Make It a Mocktail: Skip the vanilla vodka and cinnamon whisky and stir a splash of vanilla extract and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon into the apple cider for the same fall flavors.
- Chill Ingredients: Cold apple cider and liquor make the shot extra refreshing and smooth.
Nutrition
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This shot makes having just fireball so plain! I don't think I can get over how delicious and simple this is.
We are so happy to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for the review.
We love this shot, we often make it as a cocktail on ice! Apple pie is a big fave over here.