Ingredients
- 1 oz Southern Comfort
- .5 oz Lime Juice
- .5 oz Peach Schnapps
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add Southern Comfort, lime juice, and peach schnapps to the shaker.
- Shake well until the mixture is chilled.
- Strain into a shot glass.
- Serve and enjoy your SoCo, Peach, and Lime Shot.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
This shot is a modern bar staple, likely emerging from the late 20th or early 21st century’s embrace of sweet, fruit-forward shots. Its exact origin is hazy, but it’s a natural evolution for a bar scene where Southern Comfort, peach schnapps, and lime juice were common well ingredients. It’s a party pleaser, not a classic, designed for quick consumption in social settings.
It sits firmly in the “sweet and sour shot” family, alongside popular items like the Green Tea Shot or the Kamikaze. While it shares the common structure of a spirit, a liqueur, and a citrus, the specific combination of Southern Comfort’s unique profile with peach and lime gives it a distinct Southern charm. It's less overtly boozy than some spirit-forward shots, leaning into its fruit notes.
You’d find this shot most often in high-volume bars, college hangouts, or at house parties where easy-drinking, flavorful shots are the order of the day. It’s a reliable choice for pre-game drinks or as a mid-evening palate cleanser that still packs a punch. It’s not a craft cocktail bar offering, but it serves its purpose well.
What it tastes like
The first sip hits with a juicy, bright lime tang, quickly followed by the sweet, almost candied peach notes of the schnapps. Southern Comfort’s underlying whiskey character and fruity sweetness provide a smooth, comforting base in the mid-palate. The finish is a quick, clean balance of lingering peach and a zesty lime snap, leaving a sweet and tart impression.
With 1 oz of 70 proof (35% ABV) Southern Comfort and 0.5 oz of 23% ABV peach schnapps, this 2 oz shot clocks in around 28% ABV. That’s significantly stronger than a standard beer, which is typically 4-6% ABV. Compared to a standard 2.5 oz cocktail with 2 oz of 80 proof spirit, it’s roughly half the alcohol by volume, but it’s still a potent shot meant for quick consumption.
The technique
Build this shot directly in a shaker. Combine the Southern Comfort, peach schnapps, and fresh lime juice over ice. Give it a good, hard shake for about 10-15 seconds. This ensures all the ingredients are thoroughly chilled and properly integrated. Strain the well-mixed liquid directly into a shot glass. Serve it immediately while it’s still frosty.
The critical technique here is using fresh lime juice and shaking it thoroughly. Bottled lime juice will taste flat and artificial, completely undermining the shot’s intended bright, zesty character. A quick, hard shake not only chills the ingredients but also aerates the mix, making the final shot smoother and more palatable. Skimp on this, and you get a lukewarm, dull, and unbalanced shot.
Drink Buddy Exclusive
Tell us what's in your cabinet.
Our Cocktail Builder takes whatever bottles you've got and hands you every drink you can actually make tonight.
Open the Builder →Get the Drink Buddy newsletter
One drink, one tip, one Tuesday a month.
Plus the recipes we drop before they hit the site. Zero spam.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Southern Comfort
- Use
- Southern Comfort is the key here, typically 70 proof (35% ABV). Its unique peach, orange, and spice notes are irreplaceable.
- Skip
- Don’t substitute with straight whiskey or bourbon; you’ll lose the signature fruity sweetness and smooth finish.
- Why
- It provides the base spirit, the name, and the distinctive character that sets this shot apart from other peach and lime combinations.
Peach Schnapps
- Use
- Any decent peach schnapps will work, typically 23% ABV. Brands like DeKuyper or Bols are common and suitable.
- Skip
- Avoid peach liqueurs or brandies if you want the classic schnapps sweetness and lower ABV. They’ll alter the balance significantly.
- Why
- This ingredient delivers the primary peach flavor and a crucial dose of sweetness, balancing the lime and complementing the SoCo.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
SoCo & Cranberry
- A fruitier, tarter take.
- Swap the peach schnapps for cranberry juice. This adds a sharper, more refreshing berry note while still playing well with the Southern Comfort and lime.
SoCo & Mint
- A herbaceous, zesty twist.
- Muddle a few mint leaves in the shaker before adding ingredients. The mint adds a cooling, aromatic layer that brightens the entire shot.
SoCo Sour Shot
- Simpler, more spirit-forward.
- Omit the peach schnapps for a cleaner, more direct sour profile. This version highlights the Southern Comfort’s unique blend of flavors.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Try a peach-flavored whiskey or a spiced rum for a similar sweetness and complexity, though the profile will shift.
Use a splash of peach puree or a different fruit liqueur like apricot or even raspberry for a different but still sweet fruit note.
Fresh lemon juice is a good second choice, offering a similar tartness, but it will taste different.
Any small, narrow glass will do. A pony glass or a small cordial glass works fine in a pinch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a SoCo, Peach and Lime Shot?
This shot contains Southern Comfort, peach schnapps, and fresh lime juice.
Is Southern Comfort a whiskey?
Southern Comfort is a whiskey-based liqueur, not a straight whiskey. It’s blended with fruit and spice flavors.
How strong is a SoCo, Peach and Lime Shot?
It’s relatively strong for a shot, around 28% ABV, making it more potent than a beer but less than a full cocktail.
Can I make a batch of these shots?
Yes, you can easily scale up the recipe to make a batch. Just remember to shake in smaller portions to ensure proper chilling.
What’s the best way to serve this shot?
Serve it immediately after shaking, while it’s still very cold, in a chilled shot glass if possible.
Why use fresh lime juice?
Fresh lime juice provides a vibrant, natural tartness that bottled juice simply cannot replicate, making a significant difference in taste.
Is this a sweet shot?
Yes, it’s designed to be a sweet and tangy shot, with the peach schnapps and Southern Comfort providing ample sweetness.
What kind of occasions is this shot good for?
It’s ideal for parties, casual gatherings, or any situation where a fun, easy-drinking, and flavorful shot is desired.
More Like This
More drinks in the same family when the night calls for them.
