Chocolate Cake Shot

Chocolate Cake Shot is an easy 2-ingredient dessert drink that tastes like a boozy slice of cake. This quick Chocolate Cake Shot recipe takes about 5 minutes and is a fun birthday cake shot, party shooter, or dessert cocktail you can decorate with whipped cream, frosting, sprinkles, and cake crumbs.

This Chocolate Cake Shot is a fun little dessert cocktail that’s perfect for birthdays, parties, celebrations, or anytime you want your dessert with a little extra kick. And the best part? You only need TWO ingredients!

Cake in a shot glass? YES, please! Chocolate liqueur and cake-flavored vodka come together for a sweet, chocolatey shooter with lots of cake flavor. Then you can go completely crazy with the toppings.

Whipped cream? Yep. Chocolate whipped cream? Absolutely. Frosting and sprinkles? Now we’re talking. Cake crumbs? Why not?!

I originally came across a different Chocolate Cake Shot made with lemon, vodka, and hazelnut liqueur such as Frangelico. Although delicious, I wanted to try something a little different.

So this Chocolate Cake Shot recipe has no lemon and no hazelnut liqueur. Instead, I use chocolate liqueur, such as Godiva, and cake-flavored vodka, such as Pinnacle. The result is a super simple birthday cake-inspired drink that’s ready in about 5 minutes.

And before someone says it… YES, I measured the alcohol in tablespoons. I know that’s not how professional bartenders generally measure drinks, but I’m not a bartender. Using tablespoons makes this recipe easy for home cooks and also makes it simple to multiply when you’re preparing a big batch for a party.

What I Love About This Recipe

• You only need two ingredients. It doesn’t get much easier than chocolate liqueur and cake-flavored vodka. There’s no long list of liquor, mixers, or specialty ingredients to track down. Mix them together and your Chocolate Cake Shot is basically DONE.
• It’s perfect for birthdays. Add whipped cream, frosting, colorful sprinkles, or cake crumbs and this simple shooter instantly turns into a fun birthday cake shot. You can coordinate the sprinkles with a party theme or let guests decorate their own glasses. It’s like a tiny boozy birthday cake without turning on the oven.
• It’s ready in about five minutes. No complicated cocktail equipment or techniques are required for the basic recipe. You can stir the two liqueurs directly in the shot glass and add your favorite toppings. If you want the drink cold, shake the alcohol with ice and strain it into the glass instead.
• You can easily customize it. Frangelico, Kahlua, and Amaretto are all fun options if you want to play around with the flavor. Add a little cream for a creamier dessert cocktail or experiment with different toppings.
• It’s easy to make for a party. Making individual cocktails for a crowd can get old FAST. Fortunately, you can multiply this Chocolate Cake Shot recipe and make a big batch ahead of time. Let guests decorate their own shot glasses for a fun DIY dessert drink station.

Equipment You May Need

• Shot Glass – The obvious choice for serving this Chocolate Cake Shot as a shooter.
• Tablespoon – Keeps the recipe easy for home cooks and makes the proportions simple to multiply for a big batch.
• Cocktail Shaker – Optional, but helpful if you want to shake the alcohol with ice and serve the Chocolate Cake Shot chilled.
• Cocktail Strainer – Use with a shaker to strain the chilled drink into your shot glass.
• Small Plates or Bowls – Helpful for frosting, sprinkles, or cake crumbs if you’re decorating the rim of the glass.
• Martini Glass – Turn the same basic flavor combination into a larger dessert cocktail presentation rather than a traditional shot.

(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)

Chocolate Cake Shot Ingredients

• Chocolate Liqueur – Use 2 tablespoons of your favorite chocolate-flavored liqueur or cream liqueur such as Godiva Original.
• Cake-Flavored Vodka – One tablespoon of cake-flavored vodka, such as Pinnacle Vodka, brings the birthday cake flavor to this easy dessert shooter.
• Whipped Cream – Optional, but a little whipped cream or chocolate whipped cream makes the shot look and taste even more like dessert.
• Cake Frosting – Use frosting to decorate the rim of the shot glass and help sprinkles or cake crumbs stick.
• Sprinkles – An especially fun addition for a birthday cake shot. Change the colors to match the birthday, holiday, or party.
• Cake Crumbs – Another optional topping that really drives home the cake theme.

How to Make a Chocolate Cake Shot

Step One: Combine the Liqueurs
Stir the chocolate liqueur and cake-flavored vodka together in a shot glass.

Step Two: Decorate the Chocolate Cake Shot
Decorate the shot glass rim and top of the shot as desired with optional toppings such as whipped cream, cake frosting, sprinkles, and/or cake crumbs.

If you prefer you can add the liqueurs to a shaker with ice, shake, and strain into a shot glass. Or can make a big batch of this and pour into individual shot glasses.

(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)

How to Make Chocolate Cake Shots for a Party

This recipe is REALLY easy to scale because the ratio is simple: 2 parts chocolate liqueur to 1 part cake-flavored vodka. Multiply those proportions based on how many shots you need.

Combine the alcohol in a pitcher or other suitable container and refrigerate it until party time. Then pour the mixture into individual shot glasses.

For an extra-fun birthday or party setup, create a little DIY topping bar with frosting, whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles, and cake crumbs. Guests can decorate their own Chocolate Cake Shots.

Chocolate Cake Shot Variations

Want to play around with this easy cocktail recipe? There are plenty of possibilities.

• Birthday Cake Shot: Rim the glass with frosting and colorful sprinkles, then finish with whipped cream.
• German Chocolate Cake-Inspired Shot: Use the chocolate base as inspiration and experiment with complementary coconut and nut flavors.
• Hazelnut Chocolate Cake Shot: Replace a little chocolate liqueur with Frangelico.
• Coffee Chocolate Cake Shot: Substitute a small amount of Kahlua or another coffee liqueur for some of the chocolate liqueur.
• Amaretto Chocolate Cake Shot: Add a little Amaretto for almond-like flavor.
• Creamy Chocolate Cake Shot: Add a small amount of heavy cream, half & half, or your favorite cream substitute.
• Vanilla Cake Shot: A vanilla cake vodka or compatible vanilla liqueur could inspire a slightly different cake flavor.
• Extra Chocolate Shot: Top with chocolate whipped cream, chocolate frosting, or chocolate cake crumbs.

Serving Suggestions

• Birthday Parties: Rim the shot glasses with frosting and sprinkles for an easy Birthday Cake Shot.
• Dessert: Serve after dinner when you want a quick boozy dessert without making another full dessert.
• With Chocolate Cake: Pair the shot with Chocolate Brownie Cake or Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake for a seriously chocolatey celebration.
• Party Shooter: Prepare a big batch and pour it into individual shot glasses right before serving.
• Dessert Cocktail: Serve the drink in a martini glass instead of a shot glass for a fun presentation.
• DIY Cocktail Bar: Set out the mixed drink along with frosting, whipped cream, sprinkles, and cake crumbs, and let guests decorate their own glasses.
• Holiday Version: Change the sprinkle colors to coordinate with Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, or another celebration. This Peppermint Whipped Cream would be a great topping for Christmas time.

Quick Tips for Best Results

• Use alcohol you actually like. Chocolate liqueur and cake-flavored vodka are the stars, so choose brands and flavors you enjoy.
• Keep the 2-to-1 ratio in mind. Two parts chocolate liqueur to one part cake-flavored vodka makes scaling the recipe easy.
• Serve it cold or at room temperature. Both work, so choose whichever you prefer.
• Shake with ice for a colder shot. Shake the alcohol and strain it into the prepared glass.
• Decorate the glass before pouring. If you’re adding frosting and sprinkles to the rim, it’s much easier to do that before filling the glass.
• Customize the toppings. Whipped cream, chocolate whipped cream, frosting, sprinkles, and cake crumbs are all fun options.
• Experiment carefully with other liqueurs. Frangelico, Kahlua, and Amaretto can all work with these flavors, but start with small amounts.
• Skip large toppings when shooting it. If you’re drinking this as a traditional one-gulp shooter, avoid whole cherries and other large garnishes that could be a choking hazard.
• Make a big batch for parties. Mix the alcohol ahead and refrigerate, then pour into individual glasses when you’re ready to serve.
• Remember that this is a sweet dessert drink. The chocolate liqueur and cake vodka both bring plenty of sweet flavor, so you don’t need additional sugar unless you’re using it decoratively on the glass.

Chocolate Cake Shots FAQ

How should I store the shots?
These shots are best right after they’re prepared, especially if you’ve added whipped cream, frosting, or other toppings. However, you can combine the alcohol ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator. Add the toppings shortly before serving.

How long will the shots last?
You can make a big batch of the drink and store it in the refrigerator for at least a few days. For the best presentation, wait to add whipped cream and other toppings until you’re ready to serve.

Substitutions?
Use your favorite chocolate cream liqueur and cake-flavored liqueur. You can also replace a small amount of the chocolate liqueur with a nut liqueur such as Frangelico or Amaretto or a coffee liqueur such as Kahlua. Changing brands and liqueurs will change the finished flavor.

What else can I add to this recipe?
Try a little Frangelico, Amaretto, or Kahlua. For a creamier Chocolate Cake Shot, add a small amount of heavy cream, half & half, or your favorite cream substitute. You can also get creative with whipped cream, frosting, sprinkles, and cake crumbs.

Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.

Vegan – The liqueurs should be vegan, but be sure to check individual brands and use vegan-friendly toppings.

Vegetarian – The liqueurs should be vegetarian, but be sure to check individual brands and use vegetarian-friendly toppings.

Low-Carb – Be sure to use low-carb toppings or skip the toppings altogether.

Gluten-Free – Double-check individual brands of liqueurs and individual toppings.

Other Cocktail Recipes You May Enjoy

• Better Than Sex Caketini – A fun cake-inspired cocktail with tropical pineapple and coconut flavors.
• Pumpkin Spice Cake Martini – A festive cake-inspired martini that’s perfect for fall.
• Pink Squirrel – A creamy ice cream cocktail that’s perfect when you’re craving a boozy dessert.

Hope you enjoy this Chocolate Cake Shot. Tell me in the comments what toppings you used.

Check out all my other fun cocktail recipes for more drink recipes!