Washington Apple Shot

This fall, brighten up any party with a round of vibrant Washington Apple Shots made from Canadian whisky, apple schnapps and cranberry juice. Bursting with sweet and tart flavors, this shot is perfect for kicking off any festive occasion, from tailgates to holiday celebrations.

Three small glass jars filled with a light orange liquid are placed on a white surface. There are blurred red apples and a wooden board in the background.

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About this Washington Apple Shot recipe

My favorite fall cocktail this year is hands down the Washington Apple Drink. It offers a surprising combination of Canadian whisky, apple schnapps and cranberry juice that tastes like a day at the apple orchard.

It’s an elegant drink for dinner parties or Friday nights at home, but that’s not always the right vibe. This drink comes in shot-form as well, and it’s super fun for fall parties, tailgates and holiday celebrations.

If you’re looking to add some excitement to your gatherings, the Washington Apple Shot is the perfect choice. It packs the same crisp, fruity flavors of the cocktail into a bold, easy-to-serve shot. Whether you’re toasting with friends at a tailgate or kicking off your Thanksgiving feast, these vibrant shots are sure to be a hit.

More whiskey shot recipes: Green Tea ShotApple Cider Jello Shots Irish Breakfast ShotHoney Whiskey

Four small glasses filled with reddish liquid next to a cocktail shaker and apple slices on a wooden board.

Why you’ll love this recipe

The Washington Apple Shot might just be your new favorite sip of the season, because…

  • It tastes like fall in a sip. So fresh, cozy and festive for every party this season!
  • These four ingredients might not seem like they’d taste like apples, but they do! A wild and fun combination.
  • Served up in a shot glass, this drink dresses down the elegant Washington Apple Shot, a dinner party version with a similar recipe.

Tools & glassware

To make a Washington Apple Shot, you’ll need a few basic things, but primarily a basic bartending set. You’ll want a cocktail shaker, jigger and strainer.

When serving the drink, use 2-ounce shot glasses. Chill them beforehand in the freezer, for about an hour, to keep the shots ice cold.

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Four small glass jars filled with orange liquid are placed closely together on a white surface.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to grab at the grocery store and liquor store to make this recipe:

  • Canadian whisky: Often referred to as rye whisky, Canadian whisky is known for its lighter, smoother profile compared to other types of whisky. Popular brands include Canadian Club and Crown Royal.
  • Green apple schnapps: Any sour apple schnapps will do for this shot, a bright green liqueur. A well-known option is De Kuyper Sour Apple Pucker, but there are several brands available. If you’re looking for a smaller quantity, mini bottles are sometimes available.
  • Cranberry juice: While I usually prefer 100% cranberry juice for cocktails, cranberry juice cocktail works great in this recipe. Its richer red hue adds to the drink’s apple-like appearance.
  • Club soda: A splash of club soda gives the shot a refreshing fizz and can help stretch the mixture for larger shot glasses. Ginger ale is another good alternative for extra flavor.

Substitutions & variations

Shake things up by swapping ingredients to make one of these variations:

  • Washington Apple Cocktail: Turn this shot into an elegant cocktail by simply serving it in a glass. Feel free to add or skip the club soda for a touch of fizz—it’s completely your call!
  • Non-alcoholic Washington Apple: Swap the Canadian whisky with a zero-proof spirit like Ritual whiskey alternative. For the apple schnapps, use apple cider or apple juice to keep the apple flavor without the alcohol.
  • Caramel Washington Apple: Crown Royal’s salted caramel whiskey is a fantastic twist that gives this shot a caramel apple flavor. You could also use Crown Royal Apple to amplify the apple notes.
  • Other types of whiskey: While Canadian whisky offers a smooth, lighter base, you can experiment with bourbon or Irish whiskey if that’s what you have available for a richer variation.

How to Make Washington Apple Shots

Here’s how to make your own Washington Apple Shot at home:

A hand pouring liquid from a small cup into a textured glass, beside sliced and whole apples on a wooden board.
A hand pours green liquid into a glass with amber liquid. Nearby are sliced and whole red apples on a wooden board.

First, fill a cocktail shaker with Canadian whisky and apple schnapps.

A hand pours a reddish liquid into a tall, textured glass filled with amber liquid. Sliced apples are arranged beside the glass.
A glass of pink iced drink on a table next to sliced red apples.

Top with cranberry juice and ice. Shake well until the shaker is cold in your hand.

A glass of chilled apple juice with ice stands on a table next to apple slices and a whole apple.
Hand holding a gold-lidded cocktail shaker filled with a pink drink, next to sliced red apples on a small wooden board.

Strain into a chilled shot glass. Top it off with a little club soda, and enjoy!

Hand pouring pink liquid from a gold shaker into a small glass jar. Two more empty jars and a sliced apple are in the background.
Hand pouring clear liquid into small glass jars filled with pinkish-red liquid; sliced apples are visible in the background.

Tips & tricks

Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:

  • Chill the glasses: Pop your shot glasses in the freezer for a few minutes before serving. This will keep your shots icy cold and extra refreshing.
  • Tweak the sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter shot, use cranberry juice cocktail instead of 100% cranberry juice for a more balanced, less tart flavor.
  • Play with flavored whiskies: For a seasonal twist, experiment with caramel or apple-infused whisky. These flavors add a fun fall-inspired depth to the drink.

Food pairings

This apple cocktail is the perfect fall drink. It’s great for everything from fall Friday nights on the porch, tailgates before the big game or a picnic at the apple orchard. Enjoy it with your favorite fall treats like apples dipped in bourbon caramel sauce or a tray of gooey cranberry brie bites.

For a cozy fall dinner or game day, pair it with apple cider pulled pork and an apple pecan salad.

Turkey Day is also a great time for Washington Apple shots! Cranberry apple casserole is always a must at my Thanksgiving gatherings! And apple cranberry crisp is the perfect dessert.

Four small glass jars filled with pink liquid, surrounded by sliced red apples on a white surface.

FAQ

What type of whisky should I use?

The traditional recipe calls for Canadian whisky, known for its smooth and light flavor. Popular brands are Canadian Club and Crown Royal. However, you can experiment with bourbon, rye or even Irish whiskey if you prefer — just know the flavor profile will vary slightly.

Can I make the Washington Apple drink non-alcoholic?

Absolutely! For a non-alcoholic version, replace the Canadian whisky with a zero-proof whiskey alternative and use apple cider instead of apple schnapps.

How can I make this shot less sweet?

To reduce sweetness, use 100% cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail. You can also cut back on the apple schnapps and/or add a splash of soda water for balance.

Can I batch this recipe for a party?

Yes, the Washington Apple Cocktail can easily be batched. Multiply the ingredients, except the club soda, by the number of servings you need and mix in a pitcher. Pour into shot glasses to serve, then top up with club soda or ginger ale.

More shot recipes

— Did you make this recipe? —

Please leave a ★★★★★ review or comment below.

Four small glass jars filled with orange liquid are placed closely together on a white surface.

Washington Apple Shots

Yield: 1 shot
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Washington Apple Shots are a fruity and crisp blend of whiskey, apple schnapps, and cranberry juice, perfect for a quick and tasty party drink!
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ingredients

instructions

  • In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add whiskey, sour apple schnapps and cranberry juice. Shake well.
  • Strain into a chilled shot glass. Top with club soda and enjoy.

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nutrition information

Yield: 1 shot

amount per serving:

Serving: 2ounces Calories: 7kcal Carbohydrates: 2g Protein: 0.1g Fat: 0.02g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g Sodium: 3mg Potassium: 11mg Fiber: 0.01g Sugar: 2g Vitamin A: 6IU Vitamin C: 1mg Calcium: 2mg Iron: 0.04mg
did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #feastandwestrecipes!

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