Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot

The Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot is a delightful and surprisingly accurate recreation of its namesake cereal in liquid form. Combining the spicy heat of cinnamon whisky with the creamy, sweet notes of horchata liqueur, this shot is both a novelty and a genuinely tasty treat. It's incredibly popular at parties and bars for its simple two-ingredient recipe and crowd-pleasing flavor profile. The result is a smooth, sweet, and warming shot that goes down easily.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This drink is categorized as a dessert shot, perfect for those with a sweet tooth. It's a popular party starter or a sweet finish to a meal, served in a shot glass and meant to be consumed quickly.

Serving

Serve this small, potent shot chilled in a standard shot glass. For an extra touch, you can rim the glass with cinnamon-sugar before pouring.
Serving size
Approximately 60 ml / 2 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 20-25% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Shot glass
Glass treatment
Optional: Rim the glass with a mix of cinnamon and sugar.

Backstory

The exact origin is murky, as is common with many popular shots, but it rose to prominence in the 2010s alongside the surge in popularity of both Fireball Cinnamon Whisky and RumChata. Bartenders and party-goers discovered that the combination of these two distinct liqueurs created a flavor profile shockingly similar to milk leftover in a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. Its easy-to-remember name and delicious taste helped it spread rapidly through word-of-mouth.
Origin
United States, circa 2010s.

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot

The drink is almost universally known as the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot due to its uncanny resemblance to the taste of the popular breakfast cereal. Some may refer to it by its core ingredients, like the RumChata Fireball Shot, but the cereal name is the most common moniker.
Original name
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot
Alternative names
  • Cinnamon Toastie
  • RumChata Fireball Shot

Characteristics overview

This shot boasts a distinctly sweet and creamy flavor dominated by cinnamon spice, with a smooth texture and a warming aftertaste. Its opaque, beige appearance and inviting cinnamon aroma make it a popular choice year-round.
Flavor
Cinnamon, Creamy, Sweet, Horchata, Vanilla, Spicy
Aroma
Cinnamon, Vanilla, Sweet cream
Taste balance
Sweet, Spicy
Aftertaste
Sweet, Warming, Cinnamon
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Opaque, Milky, Light tan, Beige
Texture
Creamy, Smooth
Seasonality
Warming, All-season, Festive

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is intensely sweet and creamy, with a moderate cinnamon spice and alcoholic warmth. It is not at all salty, sour, or bitter, and has a still, non-carbonated profile.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You only need two key ingredients for this shot: equal parts RumChata and a cinnamon-flavored whisky like Fireball. A cinnamon-sugar mixture for the rim is a highly recommended but optional addition.
  • RumChata30 ml / 1 oz
    A cream liqueur made with Caribbean rum, dairy cream, cinnamon, vanilla, and other spices.
  • Cinnamon Whisky30 ml / 1 oz
    Fireball is the most commonly used brand, but other cinnamon-flavored whiskies will work.
  • Cinnamon-SugarFor rimming(optional)
    A simple mixture of ground cinnamon and granulated sugar for the rim of the shot glass.

Ice type

  • Cubed (for chilling)

Mixing equipments

A cocktail shaker is needed to chill and combine the two liquid ingredients thoroughly. You will also need a strainer to pour the chilled liquid without the ice.
  • Cocktail shaker
  • Strainer

Instructions

To make this shot, simply shake equal parts RumChata and cinnamon whisky with ice until well-chilled. Strain the mixture into a shot glass, which can be optionally rimmed with cinnamon-sugar beforehand.
1. Optional: Prepare the garnish. On a small plate, mix together a small amount of ground cinnamon and sugar. Moisten the rim of your shot glass and dip it into the mixture to create a cinnamon-sugar rim.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
3. Pour equal parts RumChata and cinnamon whisky into the shaker.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty cold.
5. Strain the mixture into the prepared shot glass.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy responsibly.

Garnishing

The primary garnish is a cinnamon-sugar rim, which enhances the dessert-like quality of the shot. No other garnish is typically used.
  • Cinnamon-Sugar Rim: Mix equal parts ground cinnamon and sugar on a small plate. Moisten the rim of a shot glass with a little water or RumChata, then dip the rim into the mixture to coat it.

Dietary Information

This shot contains dairy (from RumChata) and gluten (often in cinnamon whisky), making it unsuitable for those with dairy or gluten intolerances, or for vegans. It may contain soy, depending on the specific brands used.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✕ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✕ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a high-sugar shot, with significant calories and carbohydrates for its small size, primarily due to the sugar content in both liqueurs. It is not a diet-friendly beverage choice.
Calories
averagely 150-180 kcal / 627-753 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
averagely 15-20 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
averagely 15-20 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This shot is perfect for lively social gatherings, parties, and celebrations. It serves as an excellent dessert drink or a fun, sweet shooter to enjoy with friends during a night out.
  • Party
  • Dessert Drink
  • Celebration
  • Night Out

Pairing suggestions

Due to its sweet, dessert-like nature, the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot pairs best with other sweet items or can be enjoyed on its own as a liquid dessert. It complements cinnamon-forward desserts like churros or can be taken after a meal, perhaps with a cup of coffee to balance the sweetness.
  • Desserts like churros or apple pie
  • As a standalone dessert shot
  • Alongside coffee

The Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot: Your Favorite Cereal in a Glass

The Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot is a testament to the fun and creative side of mixology, where two distinct ingredients combine to create a familiar and beloved flavor. Its appeal lies in its simplicity and its uncanny ability to mimic the taste of cinnamon cereal milk. This creamy, spicy, and sweet concoction is a guaranteed hit at parties, offering a nostalgic taste in a grown-up package. While high in sugar, it's a perfect indulgent treat for a special occasion or a fun night out.