This Hard Cider Ice Cream Shot doubles as a dessert in miniature form — an adult boozy milkshake that’s perfect for finishing a meal.
If you prefer sweeter shots, consider Salted Caramel Apple Shots with a caramel rim and sea salt, or try Pineapple Upside Down Shots for a brighter, fruit-forward option.
A Delicious, Boozy Dessert Shot
We often serve dessert cocktails in place of a plated dessert — sometimes alongside a traditional sweet. These shots are versatile: they work as a stand-alone treat after dinner, a fun addition to brunch, or a festive pour for happy hour.
Depending on your menu and guests, you might offer both a dessert shot and a baked dessert like apple crisp or a fruit pie so everyone can choose. Dessert drinks are also a great way to echo familiar flavors — for example, you could aim for the spice of a pumpkin cheesecake martini or the nutty sweetness of a toasted almond cocktail reminiscent of classic ice cream truck flavors.
What Ingredients Do I Need To Make This Hard Cider Ice Cream Shot?
Apple cider is commonly available year-round; if you can’t find cider, use high-quality or unfiltered apple juice for the best flavor.
Apple Cider: Use fresh or unfiltered apple cider when possible for robust apple flavor.
Vanilla Ice Cream: Classic vanilla works best, but you can experiment with chocolate, praline, or other ice cream flavors that complement apple and whiskey.
Whiskey: A standard whiskey is great here, though apple-flavored or caramel whiskey will add additional dessert-like notes.
What Kind Of Desserts Can I Serve With This Dessert Shot?
If you want to pair these Hard Cider Ice Cream Shots with a baked dessert, consider recipes that complement apple and warm spice notes. Ideas include:
- Bananas Foster
- Homemade fortune cookies
- Coconut rum cookies
- Bacon bourbon brittle
- Fireball apple fritters
Looking For More Dessert Shot Recipes?
- Pumpkin Pie Shots
- Fortune Cookie Shots
- Oreo Cookie Shots
- Chocolate Toffee Crunch Shot
Print
Hard Cider Ice Cream Shot
Author: Dan
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 1x
These boozy whiskey milkshakes work well as a dessert drink, a brunch treat, or a fun happy hour indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
1/4 cup apple cider
3 ounces whiskey (apple-flavored or caramel whiskey are optional substitutes)
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
Crushed graham crackers for rimming (use water or corn syrup to help the crumbs stick)
Instructions
- Dip the rim of each shot glass in water or corn syrup, then coat with crushed graham crackers.
- Combine the cider, whiskey and ice cream in a blender with a couple of ice cubes. Blend until smooth, then pour into the rimmed shot glasses.
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American