An apple pie shot with Krampus Herbal Liqueur and apple cider, served in a cinnamon and graham cracker rim. A party shot that tastes like dessert.
The apple pie shot is a holiday party favorite: cider, spice and a graham cracker rim that tastes like the crust. Most versions use cinnamon whiskey or vanilla vodka.
This version uses Krampus Herbal Liqueur and fresh apple cider, shaken cold.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Krampus Herbal Liqueur
- 1½ oz fresh apple cider
- Rim: crushed graham crackers, sugar and cinnamon
- Whipped cream, optional
Directions
- Wet the rims of two shot glasses with cider and dip them in the graham cracker mix.
- Shake the Krampus and cider hard with ice.
- Strain into the glasses and top with a dot of whipped cream.
Makes: 2 shots · Glass: Shot glass · Garnish: Graham cracker rim, whipped cream
A Tray for Sixteen
Stir 1½ cups Krampus and 1½ cups cider in a pitcher and chill for an hour. Pour into rimmed shot glasses on a tray just before serving.
Tip
Fresh, cloudy cider gives the shot its apple-pie body. Clear apple juice tastes thin next to the Krampus.
Variations
For a hot apple pie shot, warm the cider before mixing and serve in small heatproof glasses. For a richer shot, use Barrel-Aged Krampus.
A Brief History of the Apple Pie Shot
Apple pie flavors have long been a favorite in American homemade spirits, from Appalachian "apple pie" moonshine, sweetened with cider and spices, to the flavored whiskeys that followed.
The apple pie shot, with its cookie-crumb rim and dot of whipped cream, is a newer party staple that took off with the rise of dessert shots in the 2000s and 2010s.
Why Make It With Krampus
Cinnamon whiskey brings heat and candy, and vanilla vodka brings sweetness. Krampus brings what apple pie actually tastes like: raw honey, warming spice and a toasted, nutty note from roasted hazelnuts, like a buttery crust. It's smoother, too, so the shot is easy to sip and tastes like dessert rather than a dare.
FAQ
What is in an apple pie shot?
Usually apple cider and a spiced or vanilla spirit, served in a shot glass with a cinnamon-sugar or graham cracker rim.
Can I make apple pie shots ahead for a party?
Yes. Mix the tray batch and chill it for an hour. Rim the glasses and pour just before serving.