Description
The Pop My Cherry Shot is a bold and sweet cherry-orange layered drink that brings the fun to any party. With its vibrant colors, sparkling sugar rim, and juicy strawberry garnish, it’s equal parts delicious and eye-catching. Quick to make and even easier to enjoy, this flirty shot is a total crowd-pleaser—perfect for birthdays, girls’ nights, or anytime you want a cocktail that turns heads!
Ingredients
1 oz cherry vodka
½ oz triple sec
1½ oz orange juice (pulp-free for best layering)
½ oz grenadine or cherry syrup
Ice (enough to fill a shaker)
Granulated sugar (for rimming the glass)
Fresh strawberries (for garnish)
Citrus wedge (lemon or orange, for moistening the rim)
Instructions
Rim the Glass: Run a citrus wedge around the rim of your shot glass or small cocktail glass. Dip the rim into granulated sugar until evenly coated.
Shake the Base: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine cherry vodka, triple sec, and orange juice. Shake well for about 10 seconds to chill.
Pour the Grenadine: Add grenadine (or cherry syrup) to the bottom of the glass. It will naturally settle at the base.
Layer the Mix: Using the back of a spoon, slowly pour the shaken mixture over the grenadine to create that beautiful layered look.
Garnish and Serve: Top with a whole strawberry or a maraschino cherry on a cocktail pick. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
For perfect layering, make sure to pour slowly over the back of a spoon and use chilled, pulp-free orange juice.
Don’t have cherry vodka? Sub with regular vodka and add a splash of maraschino cherry juice.
Want it less sweet? Swap the grenadine with a splash of cranberry juice.
Make it a mocktail by skipping the alcohol and using cherry juice and orange soda instead.
This recipe makes 2 shots or 1 small cocktail, but it scales up easily for a crowd—just skip the layering if batch mixing.
Keep your glasses pre-rimmed in the fridge for easy assembly during parties!