Feeling low and need a boost of fizzy fun? The Cactus Cooler Shot is here to brighten your day.
The heat was getting to me. Somewhere between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, my car had broken down. As steam began to rise from under my hood, the engine soon sputtered and stopped, sounding like a dying jalopy from an old Looney Tunes cartoon. With nothing for miles in either direction except the desert, I decided to start walking, hoping to find a helping hand.
The sun was high, as was the temperature. I became drenched in sweat, every inch of my skin a sticky, perspiring canvas of discomfort. The canteen I carried with me quickly went from being full of delicious, wet water to being a cavernous and dry wasteland of its own. Clearly I hadn’t planned this day accordingly, as was evident by my sweltering skin and thick, dry tongue. If an avalanche had fallen out of the sky and buried me hundreds of feet beneath freezing, packed snow, I would’ve welcomed that with open arms. At this point though, a single drop of water would’ve been just as heavenly.
The light was getting brighter and dulling my sight. I soon stumbled and fell prone before a cactus standing at least twelve feet tall, its shadow a welcome respite from the burning fiery orb above me in the sky. As I looked upon the prickly spines jutting out of its green skin, the cactus spoke. “Thirsty?”
The simple, one-word question rang like church bells in my aching head. The cactus was my savior, a magic miracle from the bosom of my desolate surroundings. I could kiss it in gratitude. In fact, I leaned in to do just that…
The next thing I remembered, I was waking up in the booth of a cozy and low-lit saloon, with little shafts of outside light peeking in. The whir and icy blast from the building’s air conditioner caused goosebumps to rise on my boiled skin. I sat up, looked around and saw I was alone… except for a solitary cowpoke standing behind the bar. They smiled at me as I began to feel sharp stings of pain around my face.
“Help yerself, there, pard’ner.” The cowpoke gestured to the table in front of me, where a shot and half-full pint glass of bubbly, golden liquid waited for me. “That there’s a Cactus Cooler Shot. Orange vodka, peach schnapps, little pineapple juice and some Red Bull… I got some water in you after I found you outside my bar, figured once you woke up you could use something a little stronger.”
“Outside your bar?” I was confused. As I spoke, the skin around my mouth and lips cried out in pain. The cowpoke saw me wince, and explained things to me.
“Well, you were pretty delirious and making out with my cactus out there when I found you.”
I stared back in embarrassed shock. “I’m… sorry?”
“No worries, city slicker. That’s why I made you that Cactus Cooler Shot. Figured you had a thing for cacti or something, ya know? To each their own, I say.”
I never returned to that saloon. There’s a rumor that a painting of a stranger from the desert, in the passionate throes of cactus love, now hangs above the bar…
What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Cactus Cooler Shot?
When making this bubbly shooter, we’re going for a tropical and fruity flavored mixture. Our recipe calls for an orange-flavored vodka to go with the peach schnapps. For simplicity’s sake, you can easily find a bottle of Stoli or Smirnoff for the citrusy spirit, and a bottle of DeKuyper’s Peachtree for the schnapps.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce orange vodka
- 1 ounce peach schnapps
- 1 ounce energy drink such as Red Bull
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
Instructions
- In a shot glass, pour the orange vodka and peach schnapps.
- In a separate larger glass, mix the energy drink with pineapple juice.
- Drop the shot glass gently into the glass containing the energy drink and pineapple juice mixture.
- Enjoy the fizzy mix immediately for the best taste experience.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE IS USED?
You’ll need a shot glass for the vodka and schnapps mixture, then a larger pint glass for the energy drink and pineapple juice you drop your shot glass into. If you like, you can chill your glassware in the freezer for up to thirty minutes.
WHAT IS A CACTUS COOLER?
If you live in the Southwestern region of the United States or Southern California, you’ve seen Cactus Cooler Soda on the shelf at your local grocery store. A fizzy blast of orange and pineapple flavor, this soft drink is the inspiration for tonight’s recipe.
Similar Drinks To The Cactus Cooler
The orange and pineapple notes of the Cactus Cooler Shot have you thirsting for more. Even your friends are asking what else you’ve got up your sleeve when it comes to cocktails. Just to be on the safe side, you always reference what we have here at Twist & Toast, like the selection of recipes below that you can try this weekend.
- Cherry Bomb Shot – Another energy drink shooter that’ll keep you and your friends up late.
- Irish Trash Can – Feeling grouchy? This booze bomb mixed with Red Bull should cheer you up.
- Vegas Bomb – This concoction mixes whiskey, schnapps, cranberry juice and your favorite energy drink.
- Jell-O Shots – When planning a party, these popular party favors are a must.
Leave a Comment