Fourth Of July Shot
A sweet and fruity cocktail ∙ Layer ∙ 2 min ∙ 23.4% ABV ∙
The Fourth Of July Shot is a layered shot of grenadine, blue curaçao, and vodka, poured in that order into red, blue, and clear bands.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Refrigerate all ingredients
- Carefully layer in the chilled glass in the following order: Grenadine syrup 10 mlBlue Curaçao 15 mlVodka 15 ml
Tips
- Pour each layer slowly over the back of a spoon or down the side of the glass to keep the bands distinct.
History
The Fourth of July Shot has no documented creator; it belongs to a loose category of patriotic party shots that stack red, white, and blue ingredients to evoke the American flag around the July 4th holiday. Its layering technique descends from the pousse-café, a 19th-century after-dinner drink in which bartenders floated liqueurs and spirits of different densities on top of one another for visual effect. Recipes using grenadine, blue curaçao, and a clear spirit or liqueur circulated among bartending guides and party-drink collections through the 2000s and 2010s.
FAQ
What is in a Fourth of July Shot?
Grenadine syrup (10 ml), blue curaçao (15 ml), and vodka (15 ml), layered in that order in a shot glass rather than mixed. The result is a red, blue, and clear striped shot of about 23.4% ABV.
Is a Fourth of July Shot shaken or stirred?
Neither. It is layered: each ingredient is poured gently, in sequence, so the grenadine, blue curaçao, and vodka stay in separate bands. Shaking or stirring would blend them into one color.
What glass is a Fourth of July Shot served in?
A shot glass, pre-chilled before the layers are poured in. Chilling the glass helps keep the ingredients from mixing as they settle into their bands.
