Christmas Sugar Cookie Shots
If you like the sound of a sweet, fun, and boozy treat to try this Christmas, this one is for you! I had so much fun testing these in my kitchen, and I can’t wait to serve them up at parties over the next few months. They start with a simple mix of Baileys, vanilla vodka, half-and-half, and amaretto — creamy, sweet, and perfectly cookie-flavored. The real magic comes when aach shot glass gets rimmed with frosting and dipped in Christmas sprinkles, so they look just as festive as they taste. Quick to make and even quicker to disappear, these little shots are guaranteed crowd-pleasers!
Why you’ll love them:
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Easy to make – Just a quick shake and pour — no fancy bartending skills required.
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Festive and fun – Sprinkle-rimmed glasses make them party-ready in minutes.
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Dessert in a glass – Sweet, creamy, and cookie-flavored without being over the top.
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Perfect for celebrations – A hit at Christmas parties, Christmas Eve gatherings, or even New Year’s Eve.
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Customizable – Switch up the sprinkles to match any holiday theme and really make them your own.
Ingredients
If you want to skip straight to the printable recipe card, you’ll find it at the bottom of this post! In the next few sections, I’m sharing more about the ingredients and process, and sharing extra tips.
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Bailey’s Irish Cream – Creamy, sweet, and a little boozy — this is the base that makes the shots taste rich and dessert-like.
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Vanilla vodka – Adds sweetness and that sugar-cookie vibe. Regular vodka works too, but vanilla makes it extra festive.
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Half-and-half (or whole milk) – Keeps the shots smooth and creamy. Half-and-half gives you more richness, while milk keeps them a little lighter.
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Amaretto – Brings in that nutty, cookie-like flavor that ties the whole “sugar cookie” theme together.
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White icing – The “glue” that holds the sprinkles on the rim of the glasses. Store-bought frosting works perfectly here.
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Christmas jimmies sprinkles – The colorful, festive finishing touch that makes these shots party-ready.
How To Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Shots
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Use a butter knife to spread a thin layer of frosting around the rim of each shot glass.
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Pour Christmas sprinkles into a small bowl, then press the frosted rim of each glass gently into the sprinkles until it’s fully coated. Tip: press, lift, and rotate the glass rather than twisting it in the sprinkles — twisting can actually wipe the frosting off instead of coating it.
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In a cocktail shaker, combine the Baileys, vodka, half-and-half, and amaretto.
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Give it a gentle shake or stir until everything’s mixed.
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Strain into your sprinkle-rimmed shot glasses, divide evenly, and raise a toast — cheers to Christmas!
Recipe Notes
These shots are best served right after mixing — that’s when they taste the creamiest and freshest. If you need to make them a little ahead, you can store the mixture in the fridge for a few hours as long as it’s covered, but I wouldn’t push it much longer. Dairy and alcohol don’t always play nice together over time.
I like to start with chilled ingredients so the shots are already nice and cold, but if your bottles were sitting out on the counter, just toss a couple of ice cubes in the shaker before mixing.
For the rims, Christmas jimmies are a classic, but you can absolutely play around with other sprinkles, like snowflakes, gold and silver mix, or whatever matches your holiday party theme. The frosting trick works with any style of sprinkle, so it’s easy to customize.
And a final tip: rim the glasses first, then make the shots. That way everything’s ready to pour, garnish, and serve without rushing!
Serving Ideas
These little shots are basically made for holiday parties — they’re colorful, festive, and taste like dessert in a glass! Set them out on a tray for Christmas Eve, pass them around at a holiday cocktail party, or whip up a round as a fun toast before Christmas dinner.
They’re also a hit on New Year’s Eve when you want something sweet and celebratory. Pair them with a cookie platter for the ultimate holiday vibe, or make them your signature drink for a festive girls’ night in!
Christmas Sugar Cookie Shots
Ingredients
- 3 ounces Bailey’s Irish Cream
- 3 ounces vanilla vodka
- 2 ounces half & half or whole milk
- 2 ounces amaretto
- White icing
- Christmas Jimmies Sprinkles
Instructions
- Use a butter knife to spread a thin layer of frosting around the rim of each shot glass.
- Pour Christmas sprinkles into a small bowl, then press the frosted rim of each glass gently into the sprinkles until it’s fully coated. Tip: press, lift, and rotate the glass rather than twisting it in the sprinkles — twisting can actually wipe the frosting off instead of coating it.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the Baileys, vodka, half-and-half, and amaretto.
- Give it a gentle shake or stir until everything’s mixed.
- Strain into your sprinkle-rimmed shot glasses, divide evenly, and raise a toast — cheers to Christmas!
If you’re looking for a cute and boozy treat this Christmas, I really think you’ll love these shots! Be sure to tag me in your photos on Instagram @slimmingviolet. It makes my day to see you creating my recipes in your own home, and I love to hear about how they turned out.
