Ingredients
- 1 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Mayonnaise
- Tabasco sauce to taste
- Dash of Black Pepper
Instructions
Pour Vodka:
- Pour 1 oz of vodka into a shot glass.
Add Tabasco:
- Add a few drops of Tabasco sauce into the shot glass with the vodka.
Dash of Pepper:
- Sprinkle a dash of black pepper on top of the vodka and Tabasco mixture.
Top with Mayonnaise:
- Add a squeeze of mayonnaise on top of the mixture in the shot glass
Notes
Similar Shots to Explore
-
Dirty Mexican Shot:
- A tequila shot with a teaspoon of mayonnaise for a surprising twist.
-
Cement Mixer Shot:
- A prank shot with Irish cream and lime juice that curdles when mixed.
-
Prairie Oyster:
- A classic hangover cure with a raw egg, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
Conclusion
The Tapeworm Shot is a daring and adventurous drink that’s perfect for those looking to spice up their night. Whether you’re looking to try something new or to add a bit of excitement to a party, this shot is sure to make an impression. Enjoy responsibly and embrace the adventure!Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
Pub gross-out shot tradition. The Tapeworm uses mayo because dropped into vodka the white blob looks like a worm in the glass. The Tabasco and pepper give it a swallowable burn so the joke does not stretch into actual nausea.
It is in the same family as the Cement Mixer, the Prairie Oyster and other shots designed to test the drinker rather than entertain them.
What it tastes like
Spicy, tangy, vinegary, with a vodka heat. The mayo never fully blends so there is a textural challenge halfway through. Whether you finish it is up to you.
Some bartenders skip the pepper. Some swap mayo for sour cream. The Tabasco is the only non-negotiable element.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
The vodka
- Use
- Plain unflavoured vodka, ice cold
- Skip
- Premium vodka, the mayo and Tabasco bury it
The mayo
- Use
- Hellmann or Heinz, full fat
- Skip
- Light mayo, falls apart in the glass
The Tabasco
- Use
- Original Tabasco, 3 to 5 dashes
- Why
- The vinegar in Tabasco helps the drink go down
Why the Tapeworm works (the visual joke that hides a decent shot)
Vodka, mayonnaise, and pepper. Yes, mayonnaise. The ‘tapeworm’ is the long swirl of mayo through the vodka. Sounds awful, hits surprisingly well.
The technique
Pour 30ml of chilled vodka into a shot glass. Use a long-handled bar spoon to slowly drop a thin string of mayonnaise (about 5ml) into the center of the vodka. The mayo sinks and elongates into a worm-like tendril. Top with a sprinkle of fresh-ground black pepper.
The visual is the entire point. Drink it down without thinking too hard. The vodka cuts the mayo’s richness, pepper adds bite. It’s not pleasant, but it’s not as bad as the description.
Brand picks
Vodka: Cold, neutral, cheap. Smirnoff out of the freezer. Premium vodka is wasted here.
Mayonnaise: Hellmann’s / Best Foods is the standard. Japanese Kewpie mayo gives a richer, slightly sweeter tapeworm. Avoid low-fat or “light” mayo – the texture won’t form the worm shape.
Pepper: Fresh-cracked. Pre-ground pepper has gone stale and doesn’t have the bite that balances the mayo.
Common mistakes
Stirring the shot. The visual is everything. Once you stir, you have vodka + mayo soup, which is unsippable. Drink it as poured.
Using too much mayo. 5ml maximum. More and you can’t choke it down.
Skipping the pepper. The pepper IS the cocktail. Mayo + vodka alone is bland; pepper makes it interesting.
Mayo at fridge-cold temperature. Cold mayo is too stiff to form the worm. Let it sit at room temp 10 minutes before pouring.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Sour cream. Looks similar, tastes less aggressive.
Cholula or any vinegar-based hot sauce.
Skip the mayo. Now it is just a Bloody Caesar shot, far more palatable.
Use a clear shot glass so the mayo blob is on display.
Cold beer is the standard chase for this shot.
Not sure what to make tonight?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
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Can I use Greek yogurt?
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