Oh yes! Chocolate Cake Shots seriously taste just like chocolate cake! Hazelnut liqueur, vanilla vodka, and lemon juice combine for a surprising flavor explosion. They’re the perfect party treat for holidays, birthdays and more!

Chocolate Cake Shot recipe
If you forgot to take care of dessert tonight, then I’ve got just the recipe for you: shots that taste just like chocolate cake in liquid form!
These Chocolate Cake Shooters are a totally unconventional way to finish off a nice meal, but so super fun, too. They’d also be a fantastic idea for a birthday party, holidays or any celebration.
As Julia Child said, “A party without cake is just a meeting.”
These shots have a secret recipe that you won’t even believe tastes like chocolate cake until you try it. Let’s explore this delicious and fun recipe, how to make them and how to serve them to get that flavor explosion.

Why you’ll love this recipe
You and your friends will love Chocolate Cake Shooters. They’ve got some serious flavor magic!
- With four surprising ingredients, you won’t see this flavor combination coming. But it seriously tastes just like chocolate cake!
- They are the best shot recipe for celebrating any special occasion: birthdays, holidays, Friday night…
- This flavor combo is a great mixology party trick to show your friends.

What is a Chocolate Cake Shot?
I remember the first time I had chocolate cake shots. I was at a bar for a friend’s birthday party, and someone ordered a round of these shots. I was picturing shot glasses of chocolate ingredients like chocolate liqueur, heavy cream and Irish cream.
When the bartender brought out a tray of shots with a transparent, golden liquid, I didn’t believe they would taste like chocolate. You must taste this fun cocktail to believe!
They’re made from hazelnut liqueur, vanilla vodka, sugar and lemon. The shots themselves contain the vodka and liqueur. They’re served with sugar-covered lemon wedges: You suck the juice from the lemon to fill your mouth with the taste of sweet lemon. Then toss back the shot and you’ll taste chocolate cake.
Ingredients
These shots are all about flavor chemistry. Hazelnut, vanilla and lemon don’t seem like they’d taste like chocolate when combined, but they definitely do! It’s so weirdly good — trust me! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Vanilla vodka: You can make your own with regular vodka and vanilla extract, or pick up a bottle. (I like Absolute Vanilia.) You can also substitute cake vodka or use citrus vodka here.
- Hazelnut liqueur: Frangelico hazelnut liqueur is the most popular brand.
- Lemon wedges: Cut a fresh lemon lengthwise, then into 8 wedges.
- Granulated sugar: You’re looking for white sugar here. Cane sugar would also work.

Substitutions & variations
Try one of these variations on this delicious shot recipe:
Flavored vodka: Vanilla vodka has the best cake flavor in my opinion, but you can also try it with cake-flavored vodka. Citrus vodka would also work with the flavor magic.
DIY vanilla vodka: Make your own quick vanilla vodka by adding 1 teaspoon vanilla extract with 1 cup unflavored vodka.
Sugar rim: If you like, you can also add a sugar-coated rim to the shot glass. Colored sugar is a great way to make these more festive for your occasion. Sprinkles would also be fun!
Chocolate cake martini: You can absolutely sip these shots from a martini glass. You’re looking for equal parts of vanilla vodka to Frangelico.


How to make Chocolate Cake Shots
Here’s how to make this easy chocolate cake cocktail shot recipe:
- Fill a chilled shot glass with equal parts hazelnut liqueur and vanilla vodka. (Alternatively, shake them together in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.)
- Pour granulated sugar on a plate. Dip the lemon wedge in the sugar, coating both sides. Serve a sugar-coated lemon wedge with each shot.
- To enjoy, suck on the sugar-coated lemon before taking the shooters.

How to drink a Chocolate Cake Shot
Drinking a chocolate cake shot is a bit different from drinking regular shots. You’ll need to prepare your tastebuds for the flavor for the flavor magic to work. (Like chasing tequila with a lime wedge or sangrita.)
- Roll the lemon wedges in the sugar and serve them with the shooters.
- First, you must suck the sweet and sour lemon juice from the sugar-coated lemon slice.
- Then throw back the shot.
- After you swallow, you’ll taste a bite of chocolate cake.

What to serve with Chocolate Cake Shots
Next time you’re craving some fluffy chocolate cake, these shooters will do just the trick!
Chocolate cake, of course, is the best accompaniment to chocolate cake shots. Try it with Guinness chocolate cake or old fashioned chocolate eclair cake.
You could also serve up some birthday cake shots for more celebratory cake-like options.
More shot recipes
Love shots? Here are some ideas for you!

Chocolate Cake Shot
ingredients
- ½ ounce hazelnut liqueur
- ½ ounce vanilla vodka
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 lemon wedge
instructions
- Fill a shooter glass with equal parts hazelnut liqueur and vanilla vodka.
- Pour granulated sugar on a plate. Dip the lemon wedge in the sugar, coating both sides. Serve a sugar-coated lemon wedge with each shot.
- To enjoy, suck on the sugar-coated lemon before taking the shooters.
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Meghan @ Cake 'n Knife says
Girl, it’s like you know the way to my heart with this one. I am heading to the liquor store after the gym so I can make it! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
I could totally get down with a few of these shooters post V-Day dinner. I need some hazelnut liquor in my life regardless.
Erin @ The Speckled Palate says
Yes, please. As someone who believes Valentine’s is all about the chocolate, too, I can see myself getting behind these shooters easily. They just might be dangerous. 😉 Delicious and dangerous, haha.