Ingredients
- .33 oz Cinnamon Schnapps
- .33 oz Irish Cream
- .33 oz Butterscotch Schnapps
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 0.33 oz of cinnamon schnapps, 0.33 oz of Irish cream, and 0.33 oz of butterscotch schnapps.
Shake:
- Shake the ingredients well to chill and combine them.
Strain and Serve:
- Strain the mixture into a shot glass and serve immediately.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
This shot is a product of modern bar culture, likely emerging in American bars in the early 2000s. It falls into the category of ‘dessert shots’ or ‘party shots,’ designed for quick consumption and immediate flavor recognition. There’s no grand history here, just bartenders having fun with popular flavor profiles.
The Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot #2 sits squarely in the dessert shot family, alongside drinks like the Buttery Nipple or the B-52. What sets it apart is its specific focus on the iconic cereal flavor profile, using cinnamon and butterscotch schnapps to mimic that distinct taste, rather than relying on coffee or chocolate notes.
You’re most likely to encounter this shot in high-volume bars, college town spots, or at home parties where the vibe is casual and fun. It’s not a drink you’d typically find on the menu of a serious cocktail lounge, but it’s a solid choice for a celebratory round or a sweet treat after dinner.
What it tastes like
The initial sip delivers a burst of sweet butterscotch and the creamy richness of Irish cream. This quickly gives way to the warm, spicy kick of cinnamon schnapps in the mid-palate, providing the namesake flavor. The finish is smooth, lingering with a pleasant blend of sweet spice and a subtle creamy texture.
With each ingredient hovering around 15 to 17% ABV, this 1 oz shot clocks in at roughly 15 to 16% alcohol by volume. That’s about twice the strength of a standard beer, but still a milder sip compared to a neat shot of liquor or a full-sized cocktail. It’s designed for flavor, not for knocking you sideways.
The technique
Building this shot is straightforward. Grab a cocktail shaker, fill it with ice, then pour in your cinnamon schnapps, Irish cream, and butterscotch schnapps. Give it a good, hard shake for about 10 to 15 seconds until the shaker feels thoroughly chilled. Finally, strain the well-mixed contents into a shot glass and serve it up.
The most important technique here is ensuring a proper chill. Shaking with plenty of ice until the shaker is frosty ensures all the liqueurs integrate seamlessly and the shot hits cold. If you skimp on the shake, the drink can taste syrupy, unbalanced, and far less refreshing on the palate.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Cinnamon Schnapps
- Use
- For a classic, sweet cinnamon profile, try a standard cinnamon schnapps like DeKuyper Hot Damn. If you want a bit more heat and a touch of gold flake, Goldschlager is a stronger option.
- Skip
- Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. While it has cinnamon, it’s a whisky, not a schnapps, and brings a different sweetness, heat, and texture that will alter the drink’s intended profile. Also skip simple cinnamon syrup, it lacks the necessary alcohol and body.
- Why
- This ingredient is the primary driver of the ‘Cinnamon Toast Crunch’ flavor. It provides the essential spice and warmth that gives the shot its character and name.
Irish Cream
- Use
- Baileys Irish Cream is the industry standard for a reason. Its creamy texture and balanced sweetness are perfect here. Other reputable brands like Carolans or Saint Brendan’s also work well.
- Skip
- Just regular cream or milk. While it adds creaminess, it lacks the sweetness, depth of flavor, and alcoholic kick that Irish cream brings, making the shot thin and less flavorful.
- Why
- Irish cream provides the crucial creamy body and a touch of vanilla/cocoa notes that round out the shot, mimicking the milky, sweet aftertaste of cereal milk. It’s essential for texture and balance.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Cereal Rim
- For extra crunch and flavor
- Rim the shot glass with a mix of cinnamon and sugar, or even crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, before pouring the shot.
Spiced Crunch
- Turn up the cinnamon heat
- Slightly increase the amount of cinnamon schnapps, perhaps to 0.5 oz, and reduce one of the other liqueurs to keep the total volume consistent. This adds a more pronounced spice.
Nutty Crunch
- Add a hint of nutty sweetness
- Introduce a small dash, perhaps 0.1 oz, of hazelnut liqueur like Frangelico. This adds another layer of dessert-like complexity without overpowering the core flavors.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
A cinnamon-flavored whisky like Fireball can work in a pinch, but expect a different flavor profile and more heat. Alternatively, a neutral spirit with a dash of cinnamon syrup could approximate the flavor, though it will be less complex.
A coffee liqueur like Kahlua or Tia Maria combined with a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half can offer a similar creamy, sweet base, though the flavor will shift towards coffee notes.
Caramel liqueur is the closest substitute, offering a similar sweet, rich profile. Vanilla liqueur or a brown sugar syrup could also work, but will lack the distinct butterscotch note.
You can stir the ingredients with ice in a mixing glass or even directly in the shot glass if you don’t mind it being slightly less chilled and aerated. Just make sure to stir long enough to get it cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot #2?
The Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot #2 contains 0.33 oz cinnamon schnapps, 0.33 oz Irish cream, and 0.33 oz butterscotch schnapps.
Is the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot #2 strong?
At approximately 15 to 16% ABV for a 1 oz shot, it’s about twice the strength of a typical beer. It’s designed to be flavorful and easy drinking, not overly potent.
Why is it called Cinnamon Toast Crunch?
The combination of cinnamon schnapps, creamy Irish cream, and sweet butterscotch schnapps is intended to mimic the distinct sweet, spicy, and creamy flavor profile of the popular breakfast cereal.
Is this considered a dessert drink?
Absolutely. With its sweet, creamy, and spice-forward profile, the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot #2 functions perfectly as a dessert shot or a sweet treat to cap off a meal.
Can I make a batch of Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shots?
Yes, you can easily scale up the recipe to make a batch. Simply multiply each ingredient by the number of shots you want to make, then chill and serve from a pitcher or bottle.
Does it actually taste like the cereal?
It captures the essence of the cereal’s flavor profile quite well. The cinnamon and sweetness are prominent, and the Irish cream lends a creamy, ‘cereal milk’ quality.
What kind of schnapps should I use for this shot?
For cinnamon schnapps, brands like DeKuyper Hot Damn or Goldschlager work well. For butterscotch schnapps, any reputable brand like DeKuyper or Bols will get the job done.
What’s the best way to serve a Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot #2?
It should always be served well chilled, straight up in a shot glass. A proper shake with ice is key to achieving the ideal temperature and dilution.
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