Quick answer: A great vodka shot needs three things: a clean vodka, a cold serve, and balanced flavors. The ten recipes below range from classics like the Lemon Drop and Kamikaze to Armenian-inspired shots with pomegranate, apricot, mulberry and honey, all made with OHANYAN vodka.

A shot is a small drink, so there is nowhere for a weak ingredient to hide. That is why the vodka matters more here than in a long drink. OHANYAN vodka is created from fire, wheat and cool spring water, and every recipe below uses it as the base. Browse the full OHANYAN vodka collection to choose your bottle.

In Armenia, a shared drink is rarely just a drink. It comes with a toast, food on the table, and people to share it with. This list is written in that spirit: a few crowd-pleasers, several shots built around Armenian flavors, and two traditional ways to enjoy vodka on its own.

The 10 shots at a glance
 

1. Lemon Drop: bright, sweet-sour. Easy.
2. Kamikaze: sharp citrus. Easy.
3. Espresso Martini Shot: coffee, smooth. Easy.
4. Pomegranate Jelly Shots: tart fruit, party batch. Medium.
5. Pomegranate Shot: tart, ruby red. Easy.
6. Apricot Shot: soft, fruity. Easy.
7. Honey-Lemon Shot: warm, balanced. Easy.
8. Mulberry Shot: deep berry. Easy.
9. Ice-Cold Vodka with Mezze: clean, traditional. Easiest.
10. Pickle-Brine Chaser: savory. Easy.

Classics, done well

1. Lemon Drop

The most popular vodka shot on many lists, and easy to see why: it tastes like lemon candy without being sugary.

• 1 oz (30 ml) OHANYAN vodka
• ½ oz (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
• ¼ oz (7 ml) simple syrup

Shake hard with ice, strain into a chilled glass, and add a lemon wedge. For a sugar rim, coat the glass edge in lemon juice and dip it in sugar.

Tip: Shake longer than feels necessary so the drink is properly cold.

2. Kamikaze

Three ingredients in equal parts, which makes fresh juice essential.

• ¾ oz (22 ml) OHANYAN vodka
• ¾ oz (22 ml) triple sec
• ¾ oz (22 ml) fresh lime juice

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled glass.

Tip: Bottled lime juice is noticeable here, so squeeze it fresh.

3. Espresso Martini Shot

A small version of the world's favorite after-dinner cocktail.

• ¾ oz (22 ml) OHANYAN vodka
• ½ oz (15 ml) coffee liqueur
• ½ oz (15 ml) fresh espresso, cooled slightly

Shake hard with ice and strain. The foam on top comes from the shaking, so do not skip it.

Tip: Use freshly brewed espresso, not instant.

4. Pomegranate Jelly Shots (party batch)

Jelly shots can be made ahead, which makes them a good choice for gatherings. Makes about 12 shots.

• 1 cup (240 ml) pomegranate juice, divided
• 2 envelopes (about 14 g) unflavored gelatin
• 1 tbsp honey
• ¾ cup (180 ml) OHANYAN vodka

Sprinkle the gelatin over ½ cup cold juice and let it sit for 5 minutes. Heat the remaining juice until hot but not boiling, stir it into the gelatin until fully dissolved, and add the honey. Let cool slightly, stir in the vodka, pour into small cups, and chill for at least 4 hours.

Tip: Too much alcohol stops the jelly from setting, so keep to the ratio.

Prefer something ready to drink? Try the Pomegranate & Mint Canned Cocktail from OHANYAN Bubble Sips.

Armenian-inspired shots

5. Pomegranate Shot

Pomegranate is one of Armenia's most recognizable fruits, and its tartness works well against vodka.

• 1 oz (30 ml) OHANYAN vodka
• ½ oz (15 ml) pomegranate juice
• ¼ oz (7 ml) fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp honey syrup

Shake with ice and strain.

Curious about pomegranate in a spirit of its own? See 41 BY OHANYAN Pomegranate Fruit Brandy.

6. Apricot Shot

Armenian apricots are famous, and apricot's gentle sweetness suits vodka.

• 1 oz (30 ml) OHANYAN vodka
• ½ oz (15 ml) apricot nectar or thin apricot puree
• ¼ oz (7 ml) fresh lemon juice

Shake with ice and strain through a fine strainer if you use puree.

Tip: Soak dried apricots in hot water, then blend them for a puree with concentrated flavor.

For apricot in a spirit of its own, explore ARTSAKH Apricot Fruit Brandy.

7. Honey-Lemon Shot

Warm and rounded, and the easiest shot here to like if you do not usually enjoy shots.

• 1 oz (30 ml) OHANYAN vodka
• ½ oz (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz (15 ml) honey syrup (equal parts honey and warm water)

Shake with ice and strain.

Want more ideas? Browse the Ohanyan cocktails page.

8. Mulberry Shot

Mulberries are a traditional fruit in the region. If you cannot find them, blackberries are a good substitute.

• 1 oz (30 ml) OHANYAN vodka
• ½ oz (15 ml) mulberry or blackberry puree
• ¼ oz (7 ml) fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp simple syrup

Muddle or blend the fruit, shake everything with ice, and strain.

Mulberry also stars in its own spirit: see ARTSAKH Mulberry Fruit Brandy.

Traditional ways to serve vodka

9. Ice-Cold Vodka with Mezze

No recipe needed. Chill the bottle for an hour or two in the freezer, pour into small glasses, and serve with food: lavash, cheese, cured meats like basturma or sujuk, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs. Food between sips is how vodka has traditionally been enjoyed in this part of the world, and it is the best test of a vodka's smoothness.

Tip: Keep it cold but do not leave it in the freezer for long, as very cold vodka can dull flavor.

Also worth serving neat: OHANYAN Organic vodka and OHANYAN ICE vodka.

10. Pickle-Brine Chaser

A savory option for people who do not like sweet shots.

• 1 oz (30 ml) OHANYAN vodka
• 1 oz (30 ml) pickle brine, served alongside as a chaser

Drink the vodka, then the brine. Brine from Armenian pickled vegetables works well.

The art of the toast

At an Armenian table, drinks are shared with a toast, and the person who leads the toasts is called the tamada. Raise your glass, make eye contact, and say "Kenats!" (Կենաց), which means "to life." Traditionally you do not drink until the toast is finished, and you do not rush. If you are serving these shots to guests, pause for a toast first. It costs nothing and it is the best part. Learn more about the family behind the bottle on the About us page.

How to make better vodka shots

• Chill properly. Cold vodka pours softer with less burn. Shake mixed shots with plenty of ice.
• Use fresh juice. In a three-ingredient shot, bottled juice is very noticeable.
• Measure. Ratios matter more in small drinks. A jigger is worth using.
• Batch ahead. Lemon Drop, Kamikaze, and the fruit shots batch well: multiply the recipe, stir in a pitcher, chill, and pour into cold glasses. Do not add anything fizzy until serving.
• Pace yourself. Serve water and food alongside.

No triple sec or coffee liqueur? Easy swaps

• No triple sec: any orange liqueur works, or use extra simple syrup and a little orange juice.
• No coffee liqueur: skip the Espresso Martini shot and try the Honey-Lemon instead.
• No mulberries: blackberries or black currants.
• No pomegranate juice: unsweetened cranberry juice with a touch of honey.

Giving Ohanyan Vodka as a gift

A bottle plus this shortlist of recipes makes a thoughtful gift for a host. For gifting, take a look at OHANYAN GOLD vodka and Ohanyan Limited vodka. Ready to buy? Find your nearest distributor.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular vodka shot?

The Lemon Drop is widely named the most popular, alongside the Kamikaze and the Espresso Martini shot.

How big is a vodka shot?

A US shot is 1.5 oz (44 ml). UK pours are usually 25 or 35 ml, Australia's is 30 ml, and most of Europe falls between 20 and 50 ml depending on the country. Scale the recipes above to your glass.

How much alcohol is in a vodka shot?

A 1.5 oz shot of 40% ABV vodka counts as one standard drink. Check the label of your chosen bottle for its exact strength; the mixed shots above land a little lighter because of the added ingredients.

Should vodka be chilled for shots?

Yes. Chilled vodka is smoother. An hour or two in the freezer is enough.

What mixes well with vodka in a shot?

Citrus, pomegranate, apricot, berries, honey, coffee liqueur, and pickle brine all work.

What is OHANYAN vodka made from?

OHANYAN vodka is created from fire, wheat and cool spring water. See the full OHANYAN vodka collection for every bottle in the range.

What is the best vodka for shots?

A clean, smooth vodka that is pleasant to drink cold. Try OHANYAN vodka, the base for every recipe in this list.

Can I make vodka shots ahead for a party?

Yes, for anything without fizz. Batch in a pitcher, chill, and pour. Jelly shots need at least 4 hours to set.

Want more ideas? Explore the full range of Ohanyan cocktails or follow the latest in News & events.

Please enjoy responsibly. This content is intended only for adults of legal drinking age. Never drink and drive.