Shots are a fun way to take alcohol, more so while you are chilling with your friends. The challenge arises in finding the ideal alcohol for the shots.

Whether you love traditional drinks or you’re looking for something new, here are the nine best alcohol varieties for shots.

1. Bourbon

Initially, bourbon was meant for slow sipping or paired with almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts. However, as the years passed, drinkers found that the spirit was suitable for shots.

Bourbon, a form of whiskey, has a distinct flavor and a strong punch. Additionally, there are different kinds of this spirit you can choose.

Some of the common types of bourbon include:

Single Barrel

These are bottles of bourbon obtained from a single barrel, and they aren’t blended with others.

Different barrels will produce spirits with varying flavors since they will have different amounts of char, wood, and aging conditions.

Cask strength

These are bourbons with the most robust punch and the most potent flavor. 

Usually, before bottling, distillers will cut the spirit with water to get their required proof. These bourbons don’t undergo that process, which results in a tasty and overpowering drink.

Wheated

These are a kind of bourbon, also known as “wheaters.” Manufacturers use wheat as a secondary ingredient inside the mash bill to make this spirit. 

Wheated bourbons are less sour and spicy and have a slight floral taste. However, they are soft and nutty on your palate.

If you don’t want the harsher varieties, then wheated bourbons will be ideal for taking shots.

High rye

To make bourbon, distillers use rye, corn, and barley as the core ingredients. The traditional recipes mostly have 10% rye and only a select few bourbons further than the 10%.

Some popular high-rye bourbons you can use for shots if you don’t mind the fiery sensation are: Redemption High Rye, Four Roses Single Barrel, and Bulleit bourbon.

2. Tequila

Tequila is an ideal drink for taking shots. However, you will have to be careful what you choose as there are numerous kinds of tequila, and some may not be pleasing to you.

Let’s look at each 

Blanco

It’s also known as silver tequila. Blanco is unique because it undergoes only two months of aging if any. Also, manufacturers bottle this drink in less than 60 days after distillation.

The result is a grave-forward, clean tequila that blends well in many cocktails such as Palomas, Margaritas, and more.

Joven

Joven meaning “young” in Spanish, is a fitting name for this drink as it combines aged tequila with unaged tequila. You get two in one: a youthful, clean drink with mature flavors.

Reposado

Reposado is a tequila aged inside oak barrels for a minimum of two months or a year.

Reposados are suitable bourbon replacements, especially if you want to take shots with a dynamic, lasting taste.

Anejo

When a manufacturer ages a tequila for over a year but no more than three years, it’s called Anejo.

The extended aging period gives the tequila a fuller, more complex flavor with a darker color.

You can take anejo tequila shots but don’t take too many; the soothing drink can quickly get you staggering.

Extra Anejo

This new category refers to tequila aged for a minimum of three years. Distillers mostly use French and American oak for aging.

Extra Anejo has a complex flavor outlay encompassing chocolate, caramel, cinnamon, and vanilla. Whatever type of tequila you choose for shots, ensure it has 100% agave.

3. Rum

Rum gives you a warm and sweet sensation, making it exceptionally suited for shots. It tends to move slowly from your nose and then to your palate.

Moreover, rum has an elaborate kick that you can’t ignore. So, you will feel at the edge after one or two drinks.

Here are a couple of types of rum you can choose from

White Rum

Also called light run, clear rum, or silver rum, it gets its name from its lack of color.

Manufacturers age white rum for less than a year; then, it undergoes charcoal filtration, which removes its color.

Dark Rum

Dark rum has a more robust flavor profile than silver rum as it undergoes a more extended fermentation period.

Also called black rum, this spirit works well in cocktails and isn’t expensive.

Gold rum

Gold rum is also called pale or amber rum. It’s smoother and sweeter than white or black rum. Additionally, this spirit contains hints of banana, cocoa, butterscotch, molasses, and vanilla.

Navy Rum

Navy rum gets its name from the infamous rum rations placed on Royal Navy Ship sailors between 1850 and 1970. 

This rum can contain up to 57% ABV and is ideal for taking shots because it’s not too harsh on your palate.

Rhum Agricole

Unlike regular rum that’s made using molasses, Rhum Agricole is obtained from sugar cane juice. 

Distillers like letting the spirit age in casks for a long time, allowing it to develop its classic flavors. Consequently, it has a higher earthy and fruity flavor than the other types of rum.

Overproof rum

This spirit has more than 50%ABV (alcohol by volume) and is used chiefly in making cocktails to get an extra kick.

If you like the high alcohol content, you can take shots of this rum but be cautious, as it will get your head spinning in no time.

Premium aged rums

Due to its lengthy production process, premium-aged rum has an intense flavor and is pricey compared to other types of rum.

The spirit’s distinctive, strong flavor makes it pleasant for sipping or taking shots.

Single Vintage Rum

Most people confuse this spirit with aged rums. However, single vintage rums are only bottled from particular production years. An example of such is Diplomatico Single Vintage Rum 2005.

Spiced rum

True to its name, spiced rum has a spicy flavor and a darker color. Distillers infuse spices like vanilla and caramel to form the drink’s alcohol base.

Of all the types of rum, this is preferable for taking shots thanks to its sweet and classy feel.

4. Vodka

Vodka glides smoothly, layers your throat, leaves a nice striking burn, and has a lengthy potent kick. It’s an old classic drink that has more than earned a spot on this list.

In addition, you can chase vodka with almost anything, so what you take after the shots don’t matter.

There are four types of vodka:

Grain vodkas

Manufacturers make grain vodka from various grains like corn and wheat. Of the two, corn vodka is more popular and has a simple yet classy flavor.

This type of vodka is cheaper and more suited for shots and cocktails. Plus, it is more affordable.

Flavored vodkas

Flavored vodka uses flavors like raspberry, peach, vanilla, and cherry. The drink can have an ABV ranging between 35% and 37%

Plain vodkas

Plain vodka contains zero flavors and isn’t mixed with other ingredients. 

Manufacturers make this spirit from corn, wheat, or potatoes and filter it using quartz crystals to eliminate all the impurities.

Fruit vodkas

Fruit vodkas are made from raspberries, blackberries, and cranberries. Manufacturers ferment the fruits and then distill them to produce a wholesome drink.

To pick the best vodka for your shots, go for one with a peppery finish and excellent viscosity.

It’s critical to note that all five types of vodka sting and bite, so if you were hoping to avoid such, you won’t. 

However, to lower the aggressiveness, you can take shots of vodka cocktail; these are sweeter.

5. Gin

Gin is an excellent drink for shots. Even if you have never tasted it, be prepared; gin is significantly bitter. You will feel like you’re taking a chemical, but if you like its savory notes, you will enjoy it.

There are nine types of gin, namely.

• Reserve gin
• Old Tom gin
• Dry gin
• London dry gin
• Japanese gin
• Plymouth gin
• Sloe gin
• Bathtub/compound gin
• Genever gin

You can start by taking a shot of each type of gin to find what you like most. We recommend Old Tom, Plymouth, and Sloe gin, as they all have magnificent notes you will love.

6. Brandy

Brandy falls between wine and spirit as it mostly comes from grapes.

The French began producing brandy in 1313 primarily for medicinal purposes, believing it contained incredible sanitary and strengthening abilities. Hence its nickname, “water of life.”

Over time people started taking it for recreation while sitting by fireplaces or at gatherings, primarily in relaxed settings.

However, the drink’s fruity and floral aromas and comprehensive flavors make it suitable for shots. Therefore, try it out if you prefer a drink with balanced and tamed flavors.

A good bottle of brandy has noticeable aromas and consistent viscosity, so make sure to look out for such when getting one.

Some of the popular types of brandy are;

• Cognac
• Armagnac
• Calvados
• Pisco
• Armenian
• Cypriot
• Pomance

7. Schnaps 

Unlike the other types of alcohol, schnaps are for a more experienced drinker. It’s aggressive, harsh, and assertive. 

Take a shot of schnaps, and your body will start shaking in a couple of minutes. It would help if you only went for it if you were confident enough to handle it.

There are many schnaps flavors you can choose from, such as 

• Apple schnaps
• Banana schnaps
• Peppermint schnaps
• Peach schnaps 
• Cinnamon schnaps 
• Butterscotch schnaps 

If you like mellow drinks, you can go for these fruity flavors, but remember, all of them sting, so be ready. The advantage is schnaps are readily available and affordable.

8. Liqueur

Liqueur has a pleasant aroma and flavor and is usually gentle on your palate. Additionally, liqueur has a lower alcohol content.

Most drinkers prefer taking this drink in cocktails, but you can also use it for shots.

Liqueur allows you to have lots of fun without getting drunk, and wide varieties are available. 

Including

• Chocolate liqueur
• Coffee liqueur
• Herbal liqueur
• Nutty liqueur
• Citrus liqueur
• Fruity liqueur 
• Crème liqueur
• Floral liqueur

9. Absinth 

Absinth is another delicious drink that’s mostly made of anise. The drink has lots of herbal aromas and can contain a staggering 74%ABV.

A French doctor, Pierre Ordinaire, living in Switzerland, created absinth as an all-in-one remedy for his patients. However, the drink became popular, and the rest is history.

For years there have been rumors that the drink is a hallucinogenic, but scientists have yet to prove if that’s true.

Although it’s critical to understand that absinth contains wormwood, a chemical that can cause hallucinations if taken in large amounts, given the drink’s fiery taste, it takes work to consume much of it.

Absinth shots are delicious, meaning they will have you up and dancing in no time. 

Some patrons like setting absinth shots on fire and taking it as it is for more effectiveness; you don’t have to; feel free to drink it plain.

Conclusion 

Shots bring excitement to any gathering, whether a birthday or graduation party. Lucky for you, we have outlined some of the top types of alcohol to use for shots. Remember to drink responsibly and, more importantly, have fun.