Name: Shrimp Cocktail Shooters
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8-10 Cocktail Shrimp (cooked, peeled and deveined with tail on); 1 Cup Ketchup; 3 Tablespoons Horseradish; 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice; ½ Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce; ¼ Teaspoon Pepper; ¼ Teaspoon Salt; Fresh Parsley (optional garnish); Lemon Wedges (optional garnish)

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Shrimp Cocktail Shooters Classic Appetizer – Homemade cocktail sauce is paired with tasty cocktail shrimp and topped with a garnish for the perfect finish.

Are you looking for a unique appetizer to impress your guests? This shrimp shooter recipe is sure to impress! Plus, these little appetizers can be whipped up in no time flat.

Shrimp cocktail shooters are served in shot glasses or small clear cups, making them a perfect addition to any cocktail party or gathering.

Whether you’re a seafood lover or just looking for a fun and easy shrimp appetizer to serve at your next event, shrimp cocktail shooters are sure to be a hit. So why not give them a try and impress your guests with this tasty and elegant dish?

Ingredients Required (Scroll down for the complete printable recipe card)

To make delicious shrimp cocktail shooters, you will need a few essential ingredients. These ingredients include the main ingredients and additional items. Here are the ingredients you will need:

Cocktail Shrimp – cooked and chilled, peeled and deveined, with the tail on
Ketchup
Horseradish
Fresh Lemon Juice
Worcestershire Sauce
Pepper
Salt
Fresh Parsley (optional garnish)
Lemon Slices (optional garnish)

Kitchen Tools Needed:

Small Mixing Bowl
Stirring Utensil
4-5 (2-ounce) Shot Glasses (shorter is best)
Spoon
Measuring Spoons

Choosing the Right Shrimp

When it comes to making shrimp cocktail shooters, choosing the right shrimp is crucial. You want to select shrimp that are fresh, flavorful, and have the right texture. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing shrimp for your shrimp cocktail shooters:

Pre-cooked or Uncooked Shrimp

You can use either pre-cooked or uncooked shrimp for your shrimp cocktail shooters. Pre-cooked shrimp are a convenient option since they are already cooked and ready to eat.

However, they may not have as much flavor as fresh, uncooked shrimp. If you use pre-cooked shrimp, be sure to buy high-quality shrimp that have been cooked properly.

Uncooked shrimp, on the other hand, have a fresher taste and a firmer texture. They also give you more control over the cooking process, which can be important if you want to achieve a specific texture or flavor.

If you choose uncooked shrimp, be sure to cook them properly before using them in your shrimp cocktail shooters.

Amount Of Shrimp

This recipe is so easy to double or triple.

The amount of shrimp you need for your shrimp cocktail shooters will depend on the size of your glasses or shooters. As a general rule, you should aim for about 2-3 shrimp per shooter. This will give your guests enough shrimp to enjoy without overwhelming them.

Cooking Process For Fresh Uncooked Shrimp

To prepare uncooked shrimp for your cocktail shooters, you will need to cook them first. Begin by filling a large pot with water and bringing it to a boil over medium heat. Once the water is boiling, add the shrimp and cook them for 2-3 minutes, or until they turn pink and opaque.

It is important not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough and rubbery. Keep an eye on them and remove them from the heat as soon as they are cooked through.

Once the shrimp are cooked, remove them from the pot and transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. This will help to ensure that they remain tender and juicy.

After the shrimp have cooled down, you can peel and devein them. To peel the shrimp, simply grasp the legs and gently pull them off. Then, use a small knife to slit the back of the shrimp and remove the vein.

Now that your shrimp are cooked and prepared, you can assemble your shrimp cocktail shooters.

Simple Steps For Making Cocktail Sauce For Shrimp Cocktail Shooters

Combine all the recipe ingredients (except the garnishes and shrimp) into a small mixing bowl and mix until well combined.

Spoon the mixture evenly into 4-5 shot glasses. I use four 2-ounce glasses, but if you have some a little smaller, that’s fine too. Be sure the sauce sits just under the rim of the glass so that when you add the shrimp, it won’t spill over.

Put two cocktail shrimp on the side of the shot glass (I lightly press the tip of the shrimp into about the middle of the shot glass or close to it, before letting it rest against the glass so it holds in place well).

Top each shot glass with some minced, fresh parsley, a sprig of parsley, or a lemon wedge, if desired.

Serving Suggestions

Shrimp cocktail shooters are a great addition to any party or gathering. They are easy to make and serve, and they make a great finger food. Here are some serving suggestions to help you get the most out of your shrimp cocktail shooters:

Serve as hors d’oeuvre: Shrimp cocktail shooters are a great way to start off a meal. They are light and refreshing, and they won’t fill you up before the main course. Serve them on a platter with some lemon wedges and cocktail sauce for dipping.
Pair them with other finger foods: Shrimp cocktail shooters go well with other finger foods like cheese and crackers, vegetable platters, and mini quiches. They are a great addition to any party spread.
Serve them as a snack: If you’re looking for a quick snack, shrimp cocktail shooters are a great option. They are easy to make and serve, and they are a healthier alternative to other snack foods like chips and candy.
Offer different sauces: While cocktail sauce is the traditional dipping sauce for shrimp cocktail shooters, there are many other options to choose from. Offer your guests a variety of sauces like tartar sauce, remoulade, or aioli.
Use creative serving vessels: Shrimp cocktail shooters can be served in a variety of vessels like shot glasses, martini glasses, or even mini mason jars. Use your imagination to create a unique presentation that will impress your guests.

Helpful Tips

The amount of cocktail sauce in the glasses is enough for more shrimp, but there’s only so much room on the side of the shot glass. I always set out a tray of cocktail shrimp for people to get more if they want to finish off the rest of their sauce.

Be sure to not use tall, slender shot glasses. They make it impossible to get to the cocktail sauce after a shrimp or two. Shorter shot glasses are the key to a successful shrimp shooter.

If you use smaller shot glasses, you may have trouble fitting two shrimp, and that’s okay. One shrimp still looks cute. Using smaller glasses also means you’ll get more shooters out of the recipe.

Use spicy ketchup instead of regular to give it a kick.

Tail on for the shrimp looks best when hanging on the glass and gives people a cleaner hold for dipping.

You can use fresh lime juice instead of lemon juice and garnish with cilantro sprigs and lime wedges.

Use bigger cocktail glasses and turn this recipe into a classic shrimp cocktail!

How To Store Shrimp Cocktail Shooters

These can be made in advance, but are truly best when served soon after assembly. I wouldn’t make them more than 12 hours in advance. Keep them stored in a fridge, covered so the cocktail sauce doesn’t change texture on top.

To store the cocktail sauce separately from the other ingredients, simply store it in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, in the fridge, for up to 10 days.

Store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. If freezing, leave time for it to thaw before use. You don’t want to heat the sauce in order to rush thawing as it will change the flavor.

The longer the sauce sits, the more orange it will turn. This is due to the lemon juice, but it doesn’t change the flavor or texture.

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Yield: 4-5 shooters