Chocolate Covered Cherry Shot {Video}

This easy Chocolate-Covered Cherry Shot recipe tastes fantastic! You will love the undeniable dessert flavor in this dessert shot.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Shot

I love making layered shot recipes. They look like you spent so much time crafting them, but they are easy to make.

Who would have thought the bartending skills I learned 25 years ago at Bartending School would continue to pay off today?

They taught me how to pour layered shooters properly—the importance of using the right tools and having a steady hand while pouring.

The most important tip I can give you is to pour slowly over the back of the spoon. You want the liquid to slowly pour on top so it doesn't splash into the layer below it.

Ingredients

Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients for making an epic Chocolate-Covered Cherry Shot! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

• Grenadine
• Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur
• Bailey's Irish Cream 

Optional Garnish - Maraschino cherry or chocolate covered cherry

Equipment Needed

• 2-Ounce Shot Glasses: We love these 2 oz shot glasses, especially for layered shots.
• Bar Spoon: Bar spoons help to create layers in the cocktail shot. They fit perfectly into the cocktail shot glass.
• OXO Angled Jiggers: These angled jiggers are our go-to measuring tools for cocktails. They work perfectly for pouring in layers for cocktails. 

How to make a Chocolate Covered Cherry Shot

I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.

Step 1 - Pour grenadine syrup in the bottom of the shot glass.

Step 2 - Pour Kahlua slowly over the back of a bartending spoon over the grenadine. Making sure to pour slowly so it doesn't splash.

Step 3 - Rotate the shot glass so you pour down the opposite side of the glass. Wipe off the bartending spoon before pouring the next layer.

By rotating the shot glass you don't mix into any splashes of the Kahlua.

Slowly pour Bailey's Irish Cream over the back of the spoon to create the final layer.

Cheers

Preparation and Storage

Make Ahead: Don’t worry if your drink doesn’t layer perfectly; it’ll still taste fantastic! You can combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake them if you aren’t worried about creating layers.

Storage: Refrigerate any mixed leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them within two days.

Freezing/How to Freeze: Chill the ingredients before you start if you want a cold cocktail shot.

Recipe Variations

Substitutions: Feel free to use any coffee liqueur or Irish cream!

Vegetarian Option: This cocktail shot recipe is vegetarian.

Vegan Option: Swap the Kahlúa and Irish cream with plant-based alternatives to make this recipe vegan. You can try Baileys Almande, which is dairy-free and made with vegan-friendly vanilla and almond.

Gluten-Free: Gluten-free drinkers should use a gluten-free alternative to Baileys, as Baileys does not guarantee that its products are gluten-free. Here’s Kahlúa’s statement on whether it is gluten-free.

Alcohol-Free Option: Grenadine is the only alcohol-free ingredient, so use NA alternatives for Kahlúa and Baileys to make this recipe non-alcoholic.

Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: The written recipe makes one cocktail shot to fill a 2-ounce shot glass with some space. Scale it up for a full-sized cocktail.

Sugar-Free: The written recipe contains 16 grams of sugar per serving. We’ve seen sugar-free grenadine Baileys Delicious Light at the store but haven’t seen store-bought alternatives to Kahlúa, so you can replace two of the three ingredients to lower the sugar content.

Tips for the Best Chocolate-Covered Cherry Shot

• Pour the heaviest liquor or mixer first when making a layered shot, and work your way up by density.
• You can use a pourer on the bottle or these angled jiggers, which make it easy to measure the amount of liquid and pour slowly.
• This sweet shot is a fantastic Christmas Party Cocktail or Valentine's Day Cocktail. We love sharing fun red cocktails.

What to Serve with Chocolate-Covered Cherry Shot

The Chocolate-Covered Cherry Shot uses the trifecta of grenadine, Kahlúa, and Baileys Irish Cream to create the flavor of this delectable Valentine’s Day treat in a cocktail shooter, layered shot, or full-sized cocktail, depending on how you want to serve it! Pair it with these menu suggestions for a lovely date night from home.

Sides: Sugared Cranberries, Hasselback Potatoes, Caprese Pasta Salad, Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash, Carrot Soufflé, Crock Pot Stuffed Tomatoes, CrockPot Shrimp & Grits, Strawberry Bruschetta, Shrimp Remoulade, CrockPot Bacon Wrapped Potatoes

Main Dishes: CrockPot Port Braised Beef Short Ribs, CrockPot Rosemary Pork, Caprese Eggs Benedict, Balsamic Chicken Skewers, CrockPot Salisbury Steak, CrockPot Beef Tips & Gravy, Shrimp Linguini, CrockPot Roast with Red Potatoes, Grilled Shrimp with Avocado Butter

Desserts: Hershey Pie, Sweet & Salty Chocolate Dessert Bar, Creme Brulee Cheesecake Bars, Carrot Cake with Pineapple, Coconut & Port Wine, CopyCat Olive Garden Lemon Cream Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, CrockPot Cherries Jubilee, Apple Blackberry Fruit Tart

Drinks: Alchemy Bar Revved Up Mojito Martini, Chocolate Cake Shot, French Kiss Cocktail, Classic Grasshopper Drink, Cranberry Mimosa, Raspberry Pomegranate Lemonade Cocktail, 40 Is the New 20 Martini Cocktail, Martini Seduction, Alchemist Sidecar

When to Serve

• Valentine’s Day
• Dinner Date Night Romantic Drink 
• Dinner and Drinks
• Girls night in
• Holiday gatherings
• Christmas Cocktail 

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Chocolate Cake Shot

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Bailey's Coffee

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Nutty Irishmen Shot

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