Mini Beer Shot Recipe
Scaling a classic boilermaker down to a mini shot glass size means the beer foams up fast and the whiskey stays cold, so the whole thing gets drunk in one go while it's still fizzy and cold, no flat, warm beer sitting around.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Servings
- 6
Ingredients
- 12 fl oz cold lager beer
- 3 fl oz Irish whiskey
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 59
- Protein
- 0g
- Carbs
- 2g
- Fat
- 0g
Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.
Need different units or a different yield? Try our Conversion Calculator →
Instructions
- 1Chill the beer and both sets of glasses (mini cups and small shot glasses) in the freezer for about 15 minutes before serving.
- 2Fill six 2-ounce mini cups or small glasses about two-thirds full with cold lager, roughly 2 fl oz each.
- 3Pour the whiskey into six small shot glasses, about 0.5 fl oz each, so each one fits inside a mini beer cup.
- 4Just before serving, drop one whiskey shot glass into each beer-filled cup so it sits at the bottom.
- 5Serve immediately and drink each one in a single gulp, the beer foams up fast once the whiskey glass drops in.
Tips & variations
- Swap the whiskey for Irish cream liqueur for a sweeter, smoother version that tastes closer to a mini Irish car bomb.
- Use a stout instead of lager for a richer, more traditional bomb-shot flavor, it foams less aggressively than a light lager.
- Spiced rum or bourbon both work as a 1:1 swap for the whiskey if that's what's on hand.
- Rinse and dry the mini shot glasses between rounds if reusing them for a crowd, leftover foam makes the next pour fizz over faster.
Storage & reheating
These don't hold up to storage. Beer goes flat and the shot glass will have already started diluting into it within minutes, so assemble each one immediately before it's handed to a guest rather than batching them ahead on a tray.
Tips from the Tulo kitchen
- Small plastic party shot cups (around 2 oz) work fine if glass shot glasses that size aren't on hand, and they're safer for a crowded party.
- Pour the beer at a slight angle down the side of the cup to cut down on foam before the whiskey glass even goes in.
FAQ
What beer works best for a mini beer shot?
A light lager or pilsner is the classic choice because it foams up quickly once the whiskey shot drops in; a stout works too and gives a maltier, less fizzy version.
Can I make these ahead of time for a party?
Only the components. Keep the beer and whiskey separately chilled and assemble each mini shot just before handing it to a guest, since beer goes flat and the shot dilutes within minutes of being dropped in.
Is there a non-alcoholic version?
Yes. Use a non-alcoholic lager and swap the whiskey for a splash of cold ginger ale or apple juice in the small glass for a similar layered look without the alcohol.
How much alcohol is in one mini beer shot?
With 2 fl oz of standard lager (around 5% ABV) and 0.5 fl oz of 80-proof whiskey, one mini beer shot has roughly the alcohol content of a bit less than half a standard drink of each, so it's still meant to be a single quick shot, not a slow sip.
