Chocolate Cake Shot

The Chocolate Cake Shot is a marvel of flavor chemistry and a staple in the world of party shooters. It contains no chocolate, yet the combination of nutty Frangelico, sharp citrus vodka, and a sweet-sour lemon bite tricks the palate into tasting a rich, frosted slice of chocolate cake. This interactive and fun shot is less about complex mixology and more about creating a memorable, shared experience. Its simplicity and delightful flavor make it a go-to choice for birthdays and celebrations.
Chocolate Cake Shot

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Chocolate Cake Shot is firmly categorized as a shooter or shot, designed for quick consumption. Its novelty flavor and fun preparation method place it in the party drink category, popular at bars, celebrations, and social gatherings.

Serving

Served cold in a small, sugar-rimmed shot glass, this moderately alcoholic shooter is designed for a single gulp, immediately followed by biting into the accompanying lemon wedge.
Serving size
Approximately 45 ml / 1.5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 15-20% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Shot Glass
Glass treatment
Rim the glass with sugar using a lemon wedge.

Backstory

The exact origin of the Chocolate Cake Shot is murky, as is common with many popular shooters. It likely emerged in the United States sometime in the 1990s during a trend of creating dessert-flavored and novelty shots. Its clever flavor combination spread rapidly through word-of-mouth among bartenders and party-goers, cementing its status as a modern classic in the shooter category.
Origin
United States, circa 1990s.

Chocolate Cake Shot

The drink is universally known as the Chocolate Cake Shot due to its uncanny resemblance to the flavor of the dessert. It is sometimes called a Birthday Cake Shot, especially when made with vanilla or cake-flavored vodka, enhancing its celebratory nature.
Original name
Chocolate Cake Shot
Alternative name
Birthday Cake Shot

Characteristics overview

This shot presents a delightful balance of sweet and sour, with a nutty aroma and a smooth texture. Its appearance is a simple pale gold, belying the complex cake-like flavor that emerges upon consumption.
Flavor
Sweet, Citrus, Nutty, Vanilla, Cake-like
Aroma
Hazelnut, Lemon, Vanilla
Taste balance
Sweet, Sour
Aftertaste
Sweet, Lingering citrus, Clean
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Light amber, Pale gold, Translucent
Texture
Smooth, Slightly syrupy
Seasonality
Festive, All-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The shot is predominantly sweet from the liqueur and sugar rim, with a balancing sour kick from the lemon chaser. The alcohol strength is moderate and well-integrated into the overall flavor profile.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This simple shot requires equal parts citrus vodka and hazelnut liqueur, such as Frangelico. A fresh lemon wedge and granulated sugar are also essential components for the garnish and the unique tasting experience.
  • Citrus Vodka22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Vanilla vodka can be substituted for a sweeter, more cake-like flavor.
  • Hazelnut Liqueur22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Frangelico is the most commonly used brand.
  • Lemon Wedge1 wedge
    Coated in sugar. This is essential for the flavor and consumed immediately after the shot.
  • Granulated SugarFor rimming the glass and coating the lemon
    Provides sweetness to balance the lemon.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaker and a strainer. The equipment is used simply to chill and combine the two liquid ingredients before serving.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling the liquids.
  • Strainer to pour the chilled liquid without ice.

Instructions

The process involves chilling equal parts citrus vodka and hazelnut liqueur in a shaker, then straining into a sugar-rimmed shot glass. The shot is consumed in one go, followed by biting into a sugar-coated lemon wedge.
1. Prepare the glass: Take a lemon wedge and run it around the rim of a shot glass. Dip the moistened rim into a small plate of granulated sugar to create a sugar rim.
2. Coat the lemon wedge you will serve with the shot in granulated sugar and set it aside.
3. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the citrus vodka and hazelnut liqueur.
4. Shake well for about 10-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty and the mixture is well-chilled.
5. Strain the contents of the shaker into the prepared shot glass.
6. Serve immediately with the sugared lemon wedge on the side. To drink, take the shot in one go and then immediately bite into the lemon wedge.

Garnishing

The garnish is a critical part of the experience, consisting of a sugar-rimmed shot glass and a separate sugar-coated lemon wedge for chasing the shot.
  • Sugar Rim: Moisten the rim of a shot glass with a lemon wedge and dip it in granulated sugar.
  • Sugared Lemon Wedge: A wedge of lemon coated in granulated sugar, served on the side to be bitten into after drinking the shot.

Dietary Information

This shot is not suitable for individuals with nut allergies due to the hazelnut liqueur. It is typically vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free, but always check the specific brands of vodka and liqueur used.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✕ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This shot has a moderate calorie and sugar content, primarily from the hazelnut liqueur and the added sugar garnish. It is relatively low in carbohydrates compared to larger, mixed cocktails.
Calories
Averagely 110-140 kcal / 460-585 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 8-11 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 8-11 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This shot is perfect for high-energy social settings. It is a fantastic choice for birthday parties, pre-gaming before a night out, or as a fun, interactive drink to share with friends at a bar.
  • Party
  • Birthday Celebration
  • Night Out

Pairing suggestions

As a party shot, it doesn't require a specific food pairing. It's often enjoyed on its own as a form of liquid dessert. For fun, it can be served alongside actual desserts or simple party snacks.
  • Party Snacks
  • Actual Chocolate Cake
  • Desserts

The Deceptively Delicious Chocolate Cake Shot

The Chocolate Cake Shot is a testament to the magic of flavor perception. By cleverly combining nutty, citrus, and sweet-sour elements, it delivers an experience far greater than the sum of its parts. It's an accessible, easy-to-make, and incredibly fun shooter that never fails to surprise and delight. Perfect for any celebration, this shot proves that mixology can be both simple and ingenious, creating a memorable taste that people will talk about long after the party is over.

Similar shots

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Shot

Typically made with vanilla vodka and pineapple juice, with a drop of grenadine that sinks to the bottom, mimicking the look of the cake.

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