Ingredients
- 1 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Chocolate Liqueur
- 1 oz Irish Cream
- Ice Cubes
- Whipped Cream optional
- Chocolate Syrup optional
Instructions
Prepare the Shaker:
- Place some ice cubes in a shaker.
Add Ingredients:
- Pour in the caramel vodka, chocolate liqueur, and Irish cream.
Shake:
- Close the lid tightly and shake the mixture hard for about 15-20 seconds.
Serve:
- Pour the mixture into a small glass.
Garnish:
- Optionally, top with whipped cream and drizzle with chocolate syrup.
Enjoy:
- Drink and enjoy your tasty Payday Shots!
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
Most dessert shots like the PayDay Shot emerged from the modern bar scene, particularly in North America, as a fun, quick way to enjoy a sweet treat with a kick. Unlike classic cocktails with documented histories, these types of shots often spring up organically in bars and spread by word of mouth, or more recently, through social media.
This shot belongs to the 'candy bar in a glass' family, a popular category of dessert shooters. It is a direct cousin to other sweet, creamy concoctions like the Snickers Shot or the Reese's Shot, focusing on the distinct peanut and caramel combination that defines the PayDay candy bar. What sets it apart is that specific flavor profile.
You would typically find or serve a PayDay Shot at a casual bar, a house party, or as a fun, after-dinner treat. It is not a sophisticated sipper for a quiet lounge, but rather a crowd-pleaser for a lively gathering where sweet, boozy fun is the main agenda. Think late night, good company, and a sweet tooth.
What it tastes like
Expect a rich, sweet, and distinctly nutty flavor up front, quickly followed by a smooth caramel finish. The peanut liqueur provides the signature roasted peanut character, while the caramel liqueur adds depth and sweetness. A touch of Irish cream or similar creamer rounds it out, giving it a velvety texture that mimics the chewiness of the candy bar.
With a typical recipe using 0.75 oz peanut liqueur (35% ABV), 0.5 oz caramel liqueur (15% ABV), and 0.25 oz Irish cream (17% ABV), a 1.5 oz PayDay Shot comes in around 25% ABV. This makes it significantly stronger than a standard beer, which hovers around 5% ABV, but less potent than a straight shot of most spirits.
The technique
Building a PayDay Shot is straightforward. Combine 0.75 oz peanut liqueur, 0.5 oz caramel liqueur, and 0.25 oz Irish cream in a shaker tin filled with ice. Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds until the tin is frosty cold. Strain the chilled mixture directly into a shot glass. No garnish is needed for a shot, but a tiny sprinkle of crushed peanuts could be a cheeky touch.
The one technique tip that matters most for this shot is thorough chilling and emulsification. Shaking hard with plenty of ice ensures all the creamy, boozy ingredients are perfectly blended and icy cold. This makes for a smooth, refreshing shot that goes down easily, rather than a lukewarm, separated mess.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Peanut Liqueur
- Use
- Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey is the standard, but any quality peanut-flavored liqueur will work. Look for a bold, authentic peanut taste.
- Skip
- Just adding peanut butter to a shaker. It will not dissolve properly and will leave a clumpy mess. Also skip plain whiskey, it lacks the essential peanut flavor.
- Why
- This is the load-bearing ingredient that delivers the unmistakable peanut character of the PayDay candy bar. Without it, you just have a caramel cream shot.
Caramel Liqueur
- Use
- Buttershots Butterscotch Schnapps is a common choice, offering a rich caramel-butterscotch flavor. Other caramel vodkas or liqueurs can also be used.
- Skip
- Caramel syrup alone. While it adds sweetness, it lacks the alcoholic body and depth of flavor that a proper liqueur brings to the shot.
- Why
- Caramel is the crucial secondary flavor that completes the candy bar profile. It provides a smooth, sweet counterpoint to the nutty base and adds to the creamy texture.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Snickers Shot
- Chocolate, caramel, peanut magic
- Add a splash of chocolate liqueur or creme de cacao to the mix for a more complex, chocolatey candy bar experience. Adjust proportions to maintain balance.
Reese's Shot
- Peanut butter and chocolate dream
- Similar to the Snickers, but lean heavier on the peanut liqueur and add chocolate liqueur. The focus shifts to a peanut butter cup flavor profile.
Salted Caramel PayDay
- A savory-sweet twist
- Rim the shot glass with a fine salt or add a tiny pinch of sea salt to the shaker before mixing. This enhances the caramel and peanut flavors, adding complexity.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use a peanut butter flavored whiskey or, as a last resort, a very small amount of high-quality peanut butter stirred into a neutral spirit and finely strained.
Butterscotch schnapps or a caramel-flavored vodka can step in. If absolutely necessary, a rich caramel syrup mixed with a neutral spirit might suffice, but flavor will differ.
Half and half, heavy cream, or even a dairy-free cream alternative will work to add creaminess, though they will lack the additional flavor notes of Irish cream.
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with plenty of ice and stir vigorously until very cold. While shaking provides better aeration and chilling, stirring is a viable alternative for shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a PayDay Shot?
A PayDay Shot typically contains peanut liqueur, caramel liqueur, and a splash of Irish cream or similar creamer. It is designed to taste like the PayDay candy bar.
How do you make a PayDay Shot?
Combine 0.75 oz peanut liqueur, 0.5 oz caramel liqueur, and 0.25 oz Irish cream in an ice-filled shaker. Shake well until very cold, then strain into a shot glass.
Is a PayDay Shot strong?
A typical 1.5 oz PayDay Shot is around 25% ABV, making it stronger than a beer but less potent than a straight shot of whiskey.
Is the PayDay Shot a dessert shot?
Yes, it is squarely in the dessert shot category, offering a sweet, creamy, and indulgent flavor profile akin to a candy bar.
Can I turn a PayDay Shot into a cocktail?
Absolutely. Increase the proportions, add more cream or milk, and serve it over ice in a rocks glass. You can also blend it with ice for a frozen dessert drink.
What does a PayDay Shot taste like?
It tastes like a liquid PayDay candy bar: rich and sweet with prominent notes of roasted peanuts and smooth caramel, finished with a creamy texture.
Why is it called a PayDay Shot?
It is named after the PayDay candy bar, which features peanuts and caramel, as the shot aims to replicate that specific flavor combination.
Can I batch PayDay Shots for a party?
Yes, you can pre-mix the liqueurs and cream in a larger container. Keep it refrigerated and simply shake with ice or stir with ice just before serving to ensure proper chilling and dilution.
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