Birthday shots ideas

Birthday Cake Shot Recipe

Colleen Graham

Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.

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Updated on 09/23/22

Tested by

Joan Velush

Tested by Joan Velush

Joan Velush is a personal chef, caterer, cooking instructor, and former bartender. Her work has included catering services for a variety of events, preparing weekly meals for a number of clients, and offering private cooking classes for children, teens, and adults. More recently she has worked as a recipe tester, an assistant food stylist, and recipe developer in the test kitchens of Fine Cooking Magazine.

Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process

The Spruce/Madhumita Sathishkumar

Sweet, delicious, and festive, the birthday cake shot is nothing short of fun. It's also easy to make, and a great use for that bottle of cake vodka stashed away in your bar. Essentially, it's a cake in a glass, and there's no baking involved!

This tasty little drink is made with cake vodka, chocolate liqueur, and Irish cream. The shot glasses are rimmed with vanilla frosting and colorful candy sprinkles to give it that real birthday cake feel. Since any cake is always best when enjoyed with others, the birthday cake shot recipe makes two shooters, and it's easy to increase if you need more.

"Bring out your inner child with this sweet but potent shot, served complete with frosting and sprinkles. This drink could be mixed in a large batch and chilled right before pouring to serve at an adult birthday party. Call your liquor store ahead of time to order the cake vodka since it may not be easy to find." —Joan Velush

Vanilla frosting, for rimming
Candy sprinkles, for rimming
1 ounce cake vodka
1 ounce crème de cacao
1 ounce Irish cream

Gather the ingredients.

The Spruce/Madhumita Sathishkumar
Rim two shot glasses by rolling them in a small dish of frosting, then dipping the rim in a dish of colorful sprinkles.

The Spruce/Madhumita Sathishkumar
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the cake vodka, crème de cacao, and Irish cream.

The Spruce/Madhumita Sathishkumar
Shake well.

The Spruce/Madhumita Sathishkumar
Strain into the prepared shot glasses. Serve and enjoy.

The Spruce/Madhumita Sathishkumar

Tips

While any frosting works, a whipped frosting is lighter and fluffier, perfect for rimming. It's available at most grocery stores and, if you have baked goods to frost as well, you can make your own whipped frosting.
One quick dunk will grab a lot of sprinkles. Go slow if you want more frosting and fewer sprinkles.
Crème de cacao is available in two styles: dark and white (clear). Either works well in this shot, and only the color will change. You can also use any chocolate liqueur you have on hand.

Recipe Variations

This drink also makes a fabulous cocktail. Shake it up and strain it into a cocktail glass for a dessert martini or serve it on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass.
Whipped cream and vanilla vodkas are excellent substitutes for cake vodka and will retain some of the sweetness. You can also pour an unflavored vodka.
Use any small cake decoration; colored sugars are fun, as are mini pearls.
Switch to a chocolate frosting to play up that flavor in the shot. Or, go for the yummy combo of cream cheese frosting and crushed walnuts used in the carrot cake shot.
As in the king cake shot, top each shot glass with a swirl of whipped cream.

How Strong Is the Birthday Cake Shot?

Don't be deceived by this sweet shooter. It's rather potent, averaging out at 21 percent alcohol by volume (ABV, 42 proof) when made with a 60-proof cake vodka. To put it into perspective, drinking two of these shooters is equivalent to a straight shot of tequila.

Shots & Shooter Recipes

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ULTIMATE BIRTHDAY CAKE SHOT - Baking Beauty

Published: Jun 14, 2022 by Krystle Smith · This post may contain affiliate links

This birthday cake shot features rich cake vodka and smooth white chocolate. This super easy cocktail tastes just like a birthday cake with frosting.

I love sweet dessert drinks like the Mudslide and chocolate martinis. This sweet shot tastes just like birthday cake (with frosting)!

Don’t let the name fool you. This doesn’t have to be used for only birthdays. Whenever you want something sweet htis really hits the spot. The recipe is a keeper.

Check out our full list of birthday drinks and dessert drink recipes too!

Why You’ll Love This Drink

2 Ingredients: Only 2 ingredients plus garnish!
Easy: No cocktail shaker or special equipment required.
Cake in glass: Now you can have your cake and drink it too.

Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips

Cake Vodka: I prefer Pinnacle. Vanilla or whipped vodka will also work in a pinch.
- Flavor: Rich vanilla with hints of buttercream frosting.
- Strength: 70 Proof or 35 Alcohol by Volume
- Great In: Boozy milkshakes too
White Chocolate Liqueur: I always grab Godiva.
- Flavor: Rich and creamy with sweet white chocolate at the forefront.
- Strength: 30 Proof or 15% Alcohol by Volume
- Look For It: In the Cordials section of the liquor store
- Great In: Chocolate Martinis and spiked hot chocolate
Frosting: Use homemade or store-bought. I like to use frosting from my grocery store’s bakery for the ultimate birthday cake experience.
Sprinkles: Use your favorite color, or mix up the sprinkles for different holidays too.

How to Make a Birthday Cake Shot

Prepare your glass: Dip the glass in icing and then sprinkles.
Make Cocktail: Pour in birthday cake vodka and white chocolate liqueur.
Garnish: Top with whipped cream and more sprinkles.

How Strong Is This Drink?

This drink is on the weak side. It is 50 proof or 25% alcohol by volume. This makes it equal to just under one standard drink. Always enjoy responsibly.

Tips and Tricks

Chill: Chill your ingredients and glasses to keep your cocktail ice cold.
Cocktail Version: Turn it into a cocktail instead of a shot by topping it off with heavy cream, half and half, or birthday cake coffee creamer. You can also serve it on the rocks for a martini-style cocktail.
Frozen: You can also make this a frozen cake cocktail by blending all of the ingredients together with ice.
Mix It Up: Dye your shots any color by using food coloring to match your party’s colors.
Make-Ahead: Make up to 6 hours in advance. Store in the fridge and add whipped cream just before serving.

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▢ 1 Ounce Cake Vodka
▢ 1 Ounce White Chocolate Liqueur
▢ Whipped Cream If Desired
▢ Sprinkles and Frosting To Garnish

Don't lose this recipe. Pin for later!

Dip shot glass in frosting and then coat in sprinkles.
Pour in cake vodka and white chocolate liqueur. Top with sprinkles and whipped cream if desired.

Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips

Cake Vodka: I prefer Pinnacle. Vanilla or whipped vodka will also work in a pinch.
White Chocolate Liqueur: I always grab Godiva.
Frosting: Use homemade or store-bought. I like to use frosting from my grocery store's bakery for the ultimate birthday cake experience.
Sprinkles: Use your favorite color, or mix up the sprinkles for different holidays too.

Tips and Tricks

Chill: Chill your ingredients and glasses to keep your cocktail ice cold.
Cocktail Version: Turn it into a cocktail instead of a shot by topping it off with heavy cream, half and half, or birthday cake coffee creamer. You can also serve it on the rocks for a martini-style cocktail.
Mix It Up: Dye your shots any color by using food coloring to match your party's colors.
Make-Ahead: Make up to 6 hours in advance. Store in the fridge and add whipped cream just before serving.

Tried this recipe? I want to see!Mention @BakingBeautyBlog or tag #BakingBeauty!

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