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If you’re looking for a creepy cocktail that’s equal parts gross and fun, the Zombie Shooter is it. This quick Halloween shot looks just like a brain sitting in your glass, and the texture is freakishly accurate too.
This is super fun to make at Halloween parties, along with my popular Vampire Cocktail and kid-friendly Witches’ Brew.
Reasons You’ll Want to Make This
It’s weird, it’s spooky, and it’s always the hit of the party. The combination of vodka, lime juice, and Irish cream makes the “brain” form right before your eyes.
It’s equal parts science experiment and cocktail, which is why I make it every October.
What You’ll Need To Make It
You only need three ingredients: chilled vodka, lime juice, and Bailey’s Irish Cream.
The acidity of the lime juice makes the Irish cream curdle just enough to look like brains. But don’t worry, it strangely still tastes great.
If you enjoy vodka cocktails this time of year, you might also want to check out my Pomegranate Vodka Punch or my Pumpkin Pie Martini.
How to Make a Zombie Shooter
Here’s how simple it is: shake the vodka and lime juice with ice, pour into a shot glass, then use a straw to slowly drip the Irish cream on top.
The cream will sink and twist into eerie strands. Take the shot immediately for full spooky effect!
Learn From Me
The colder the vodka, the better the look and texture of the “brain.”
Don’t overthink the layers. Half the fun is watching it come together in the glass.
This one’s all about the Halloween shock factor, and it never disappoints.
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Pin ItZombie Shooter Halloween Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 ounce vodka chilled
- 1/8 ounce lime juice
- 3/4 ounce Bailey’s Irish Cream
Instructions
- For best results, store vodka in freezer. Combine 1 1/4 ounce vodka and 1/8 ounce lime juice in a shaker with ice and shake until cold, about 20 seconds. Strain into a shot glass.
- Dip a straw into the 3/4 ounce Bailey’s Irish Cream and put your finger over the end to create suction. Allow one drip at a time to fall into the vodka and lime juice mixture. Then. place the end of the straw into the shot glass and release your finger just enough to allow a strand of Bailey's to come out. Alternate drips with submerged strands until you have something that resembles a brain.
- Shoot it!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
can these be made ahead of time?
Sorry for the late reply. I don’t think they could/should be made too far ahead of time.
I used to do a version of this with Bailey’s and Peach Schnapps.
Hello Krissy, I found your Halloween drinks and am planning on making 1 or 2 of them this year.
I’m a scary Halloween fanatic and am hoping you have some food recipes that are are equally gory as your Zombie Shooter?
Thanks, Linda
Unfortunately I don’t have any food recipes that are as gory. I’m looking for some myself since I’ll be making a spooky dinner for the kids this year.
For an added effect, make this as described above and then add a little of the ‘blood’ from your Vampire Cocktail. It’ll settle on top of the ‘brains’ for a Bloody Zombie Brain Shooter.
Wow! Freaky but fun! Guests will definitely love this one!
This is really cool! Would totally be the hit of any Halloween party – what a great idea! 😀
Nah, since my result wasn’t intentional it mainly just looked like cottage cheese that had had terrible things done to it. Never again. I suppose it might not be so bad in a controlled environment, ergo one where you actually want it to curdle, but I would never be adventurous enough to attempt it. 😐
The reaction you’re toting in this drink happened to me as a mistake once and the result literally made me vomit, it was so disgusting. Curdled Bailey’s looks cool as a Halloween drink, but you couldn’t pay me to taste it again!
That’s hilarious! I assume it looked like you were drinking a brain? My husband liked the way the shooter tasted, but also said it really did feel like he was swallowing a little brain. Gory and gross is what Halloween is all about! 🙂 -Krissy
This looks scary! Perfect for Halloween! Love it:)
My hubby said he used to make this with grenadine and it was a “bloody brain”
You know, I tried that and thought it looked more gory without the grenadine. I might use some rasberry puree to see if it would look more like blood. The grenadine was a bit too pink for me.
I wonder how this would look with a little green/yellow food coloring mixed in with the vodka and lime juice, to create a glowing green (toxic sludge) effect…..?? Hmmm
I have no idea! If you try it, will you take a photo and let me know? Thanks! Krissy
i was just wondering whether this could be done because it would look more realistic with some blood streaks in there. good to know someone has done it and it worked 🙂
Oh, such a cool drink! Pinning to my drinks board. Hope I get to try them for Halloween. Creepy good, right.