Savory and strong, the Bull Shot cocktail is a beefy, potent affair.
“Beef. It’s what’s for dinner.”
That classic slogan from a 1990s ad campaign by the National Livestock and Meat Board became so ingrained in our popular culture that to this day, you’ll hear it intoned from time to time. And even if someone doesn’t eat meat, the phrase makes sense. Hamburgers, steaks and stroganoff sound like dishes a family might have at dinner.
But have you ever heard anyone declare that beef is what’s in the cocktails? Probably not. Tonight’s recipe is just that, however, and has been around since the 1950s, long before Hollywood icon Robert Mitchum told us what we’re having for supper. The Bull Shot is a spicy and savory concoction that is not unlike the Bloody Mary, but instead of using tomato juice as the base mixer, the Bull Shot goes with beef bouillon.
Invented at Detroit’s Caucus Club in 1952, the Campbell’s soup company quickly latched onto the libation and helped launch it into the national spotlight in the hopes that it’d boost some soupy sales as vodka grew in popularity stateside post-war. By the 1980s, the Bull Shot fell out of favor as a new generation of drinkers began to prefer fruitier and sweeter tipples. During the cocktail revival of the 2000s, however, along with the reopening of the Caucus Club in 2017, the Bull Shot has experienced a resurgence, giving adventurous sippers something off the beaten path.
What is the best vodka to use in a Bull Shot cocktail?
The Bull Shot isn’t for everyone. Legend tells that when the legendary Marilyn Monroe had one, she reacted by saying it was a “horrible thing to do to vodka.” But if you’re into the savory and spicy line of mixed drinks, especially at brunch or after a night of indulging, a Bull Shot might be a welcome sipper for you. A crisp and clean-tasting vodka is the preferred spirit, be it Belvedere, Grey Goose, Nikka Coffey or Hard Cut. This style of liquor will allow the rich and robust flavors of the other ingredients to steal the spotlight in a way, while the vodka provides a perfectly balanced bite on each sip.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 4 ounces chilled beef bouillon
- 1/4 ounce lemon juice
- 2 to 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 2 to 4 dashes red hot pepper sauce
- 1 pinch celery salt
- 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the vodka, chilled beef bouillon, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, red hot pepper sauce, and add a pinch of celery salt and black pepper.
- Shake well until the shaker feels cold outside.
- Strain into a pre-chilled collins or Old Fashioned glass. Enjoy immediately.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
You can enjoy this drink in either a chilled collins or rocks glass. Imbibe straight up without any garnish.
Where has this beverage appeared in popular culture?
In the classic comedy Caddyshack, Rodney Dangerfield’s character asks a bartender, “Can you make a Bull Shot?” and gets “Can you make a shoe smell?” in response.
Similar drinks to the Bull Shot cocktail
If you’re in the mood for a strong and spicy adult beverage to help wake you up whilst simultaneously relaxing your senses, you’ve come to the right place. Twist & Toast has a lovely selection of cocktails you can make that favor the robust charms of the Bull Shot. Try one of these the next time you’re craving something full-bodied.
- Bloody Caesar – This Clamato concoction will have you acting wary every March.
- Red Snapper – This zesty gin elixir will open everyone’s eyes at your next brunch.
- Bloody Maria – Tequila is the spirit base in this powerful potion.
- Michelada – A spiced and hot beer beverage, full of kick and effervescence.
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