Christmas Sugar Cookie Shots

This simple festive shot captures the soft, sweet flavors of a sugar cookie in a tiny glass. I started making these for holiday cocktail hour a few years ago when I wanted something playful to serve between the heavier hors d oeuvre. The combination of Baileys Irish Cream, vanilla vodka, a touch of half and half, and a splash of amaretto tastes like the scent of warm butter and vanilla cookies right out of the oven. They are creamy, slightly boozy, and decorated with a colorful sprinkle rim that instantly reads holiday party.

I discovered this mix while experimenting with pantry liqueurs and the goal of creating a dessert-like sipper that did not require baking a tray of cookies. What makes these shots special is the layered drink experience: the rich creaminess from Baileys, the forward vanilla lift from the vodka, and the almond warmth from amaretto. Poured into small chilled shot glasses rimmed with white icing and Christmas Jimmies sprinkles, they become both nostalgic and visually festive. These are best enjoyed slowly, as each 1.5 ounce pour is surprisingly satisfying and perfect for toasts or the end of a cookie exchange.

Ingredients

• Baileys Irish Cream, 3 ounces: Choose the original Baileys for its rich, dairy forward creaminess and established balance of cocoa and Irish whiskey. It provides the base cookie-like texture. If you prefer lighter sweetness, try a lower sugar liqueur.
• Vanilla vodka, 3 ounces: Use a quality vanilla infused vodka such as Smirnoff or Absolut Vanilia for a clean vanilla backbone rather than artificial aftertaste. It amplifies the sugar cookie vibe without adding extra syrup.
• Half and half or whole milk, 2 ounces: Half and half gives a silkier mouthfeel and slightly richer texture than milk. Whole milk works if you prefer a lighter finish; avoid skim because it will thin the drink.
• Amaretto, 2 ounces: Amaretto brings almond warmth and a hint of bitter-sweetness that mimics nutty notes sometimes found in holiday cookie recipes. Disaronno is a popular, reliable brand.
• White icing for rimming: Use tube icing or thick cookie icing to ensure sprinkles adhere. Avoid runny frosting which will not hold the jimmies well.
• Christmas Jimmies sprinkles: Choose a festive mix of red, green, and white jimmies for a classic holiday look. Purchase from grocery stores or bakeries for sturdy sprinkles that stay vibrant.

Instructions

Prepare the Glass Rims: Chill your shot glasses in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. Use a butter knife to spread a thin, even layer of white icing around the rim of each glass; aim for about 1 8 inch band. Refrigerating first helps the icing set quicker and prevents it from sliding. If the icing is too thick to spread, warm it slightly in your hands or run the tube under warm water briefly. Apply Sprinkles: Pour Christmas Jimmies sprinkles into a shallow bowl. Press the frosted rim of each glass gently into the sprinkles, lift and rotate to coat evenly without twisting, which can remove icing. Work quickly so the icing does not begin to skin over before applying the sprinkles. Mix the Cocktail: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 3 ounces Baileys Irish Cream, 3 ounces vanilla vodka, 2 ounces half and half or whole milk, and 2 ounces amaretto. Use a standard jigger for accurate measures. The ice chills and dilutes just enough to create a silky texture. Shake or Stir: Shake vigorously for 10 to 12 seconds if you prefer a frothy top and colder drink. Alternatively, stir gently for 15 seconds if you want a slightly denser mouthfeel. The goal is to fully integrate the liqueurs and dairy until the mixture feels well chilled to the back of your hand. Serve: Strain evenly into the sprinkle rimmed shot glasses using a fine strainer to catch any tiny ice chips. Each glass should hold roughly 1.5 ounces; the total mixture yields approximately six to seven shots depending on glass size. Present immediately to retain the sprinkles on the rim.

Storage Tips

Store any leftover mixed base in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Use an airtight jar or a glass bottle to minimize exposure to air which can dull flavors. Do not freeze the mixed dairy and liqueur combination; when frozen and thawed it can separate and develop an odd texture. If you have leftover rimmed shot glasses, wrap them gently with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for a day but expect the sprinkles to soften slightly. Re-chill before serving and stir the mix gently if separation occurs.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you need to avoid dairy, swap the half and half for unsweetened coconut milk or a barista style oat milk for a creamy mouthfeel. Replace amaretto with hazelnut liqueur for a different nutty profile or with coffee liqueur such as Kahlua to deepen the dessert notes. For a nonalcoholic option, use nonalcoholic Irish cream and vanilla flavored syrup, then add cream and a splash of almond extract for complexity. Keep ratios similar when substituting to preserve the balanced texture.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these with a platter of petite cookies, fresh berries, or miniature brownies for a dessert trio. They pair beautifully with citrus-scented pastries which cut through the richness. For a holiday tasting, arrange three different sprinkle rims such as crushed candy cane, gold sanding sugar, and the classic jimmies so guests can sample variety. Garnish a couple of shots with a tiny edible gold star or a micro mint leaf for an upscale touch.

Cultural Background

While not rooted in a single traditional cuisine, the idea of small festive sips inspired by baked goods traces back to cocktail culture where bartenders recreate dessert flavors in liquid form. The sugar cookie itself is a holiday staple across North America and Western Europe, and these shots are a playful crossroads between nostalgic cookie flavors and modern mixology. Over the last decade, dessert inspired cocktails and shots have grown in popularity at seasonal parties and gift exchanges.

Seasonal Adaptations

For winter celebrations, add a pinch of ground nutmeg or cinnamon to the shaker for warm spice notes. At other times of year, swap the Christmas Jimmies for pastel sprinkles for spring gatherings or for crushed freeze dried raspberries for a summer twist. You can also float a tiny butter cookie crumb on top for autumnal gatherings to echo the cookie idea even more strongly. Adjust garnish colors to match the holiday or event theme.

Meal Prep Tips

To prep for a party, measure and mix the base in a large chilled bottle and keep it cold in a bucket of ice until service; rim glasses moments before guests arrive. If hosting many people, prepare rimmed glasses in batches and store them on a lined tray in the fridge. Keep a separate shaker for quick top ups and refill as needed. Label containers with the prepared time and avoid keeping unmixed dairy-laced bottles longer than 24 hours.

These festive sugar cookie shots are an easy, crowd-pleasing addition to any holiday spread. They bring childlike delight to adult gatherings and are a wonderful way to celebrate with friends and family. Give them a try and make them your own with different rims, liqueur swaps, or creative garnishes.