Breakfast Shot

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Have a day to yourself with nothing planned? Why not start it with a strong and sweet Breakfast Shot?

Nothing beats a hearty breakfast. They say it’s the most important meal of the day, but I’m of a mind to think it’s also the most delicious. When I wake up in the morning, my first thought is of fluffy scrambled eggs, some ground black pepper sprinkled over them. A few dashes of Tabasco for a little heat. Some crunchy sourdough or multigrain toast with melted butter, maybe a bagel and cream cheese. Succulent strips of bacon or juicy sausage, possibly both. Coffee topped with a slightly sweetened froth, some orange juice… and now I’m really hungry.

One of the best breakfast experiences you can have is by adding a little booze to your morning proceedings. This is only recommended for when you have some time off, are on vacation or having a lazy day over a long weekend. I would never suggest having alcohol with your regular weekday routine before going to work. Unless you want to lose your job.

Let’s just say, for the sake of argument, that we aren’t going anywhere or doing anything. Today is a day totally devoid of adult responsibilities. So we’ll have some grown-up beverages while breaking our fast. There are a few morning/brunch libations we can enjoy. The mimosa is one of the more famous and popular drinks. While I was in Hawaii I had a number of ‘Breakfast Mai Tais’… which I think were just regular mai tais that had the word “breakfast” in the name. Today though, we’re going to make the aptly labeled Breakfast Shot.

A Breakfast Shot is two shooters. One is a mix of Irish whiskey and butterscotch schnapps, the other an orange juice chaser and a piece of bacon. Once you down the sweet and biting booze, you slam the citrus and nosh on the bacon. It’d be tempting to only have that for your first meal, but this little concoction might go straight to your head on an empty stomach, so make sure you have some eggs, cereal, fruit, toast or whatever you’re in the mood for. There’s a whole lot of nothing to do today. You’re gonna need your strength.

What is the Best Whiskey to Use in a Breakfast Shot?

Our recipe calls for Irish whiskey to be combined with butterscotch schnapps. Jameson is probably the most popular and well-known brand of this type of spirit, and it’s also one of my favorites. Smooth and strong, a nice bottle of it also doesn’t cost too much. There are other Irish whiskies available, too. Some of them are a little more on the expensive side, but definitely feel free to try them out.

What kind of glassware and garnish is used?

Chill two shot glasses to make your Breakfast Shot and orange juice chaser extra cold. Pop your bacon slice atop the juice for garnish, if you haven’t eaten it already.

What’s the best way to cook the bacon?

I enjoy thick, cherrywood-smoked bacon prepared in the oven. The way I do it is I place my slices on an aluminum foil-covered baking sheet, pop them in a cold oven and turn the temp to 400 degrees. I set a timer for about 19 minutes and violà, perfect and crispy. Everybody’s appliances are different, so some eyeballing is required.

Breakfast Shot Variations

Starting your day with a Breakfast Shot or two sounds like a great way to spend your mornings whilst on vacation. But when the afternoon and evening roll around, what’s a good shooter to have then? Do you want something more party-friendly, or maybe a little craftier? Twist & Toast has a nice range of different shot recipes to wet your whistle with. You can try these out at your next get-together with friends, or for a quiet night at home in front of the television.

• Washington Apple Shot – Apples, cranberry and whiskey combine for a crisp, tart treat.
• Slippery Nipple – The flavor of this smooth and creamy shot shows why it’s so popular.
• Jello Shots – Learn to master this party favorite with our perfect and simple recipe.
• Cement Mixer – Dare your friends to try this memorable mixture.