Spicy Shrimp Cocktail Shooters

Shrimp cocktail shooters, which are popular at many catered events, are a dressed-up take on the classic hors d’oeuvre. Bloody Mary mix packs a flavor punch and offers serious complexity-pre-season with Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, and spices. For a bit more kick and a smoky note, add minced chipotle chile. You can add Vodka or Tequila. A healthy dose of lime juice livened up the mixture and also tastes great when squeezed over the shrimp, – add minced cilantro for freshness and a pop of color.

Spicy Shrimp Cocktail Shooters Recipe

Squeeze juice from 3 limes into small bowl, reserving spent lime rinds; cut remaining 2 limes into wedges. Mince ½ teaspoon chipotle. Combine chipotle, Bloody Mary mix, tequila, and 2 tablespoons lime juice in pitcher and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.

Peel and devein shrimp. Stem and mince 2 tablespoons cilantro, reserving stems. Combine cilantro stems, 1 tablespoon salt, 4 cups cold water, lime rinds, shrimp, and remaining lime juice in medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are pink and firm to touch and centers are no longer translucent, 8 to 10 minutes (water should be just bubbling around edge of pan; do not boil). Off heat, cover pan and let shrimp sit in broth for 2 minutes.

Fill medium bowl halfway with ice and water. Drain shrimp and add to bowl, discarding lime rinds and cilantro stems; let cool completely, about 3 minutes. Drain shrimp, pat dry with paper towels, and place in large bowl. Add ½ tea­spoon salt, 1/l teaspoon pepper, and minced cilantro to bowl and toss until shrimp are evenly coated; refrigerate until needed.

Season tequila mixture with salt and pepper to taste and pour evenly among 24 shot glasses. Arrange shrimp on edge of each glass and serve with lime wedges.

Spicy Shrimp Cocktail Shooters – Shrimp Prep

Shrimp can be cooked, chilled, and
refrigerated for up to 24 hours; toss
with salt, pepper, and cilantro before
serving. Tequila mixture can be refriger­ated for up to 8 hours.

Spicy Shrimp Cocktail Shooters – Vodka

Flavored with onion powder, celery salt, paprika, and other spices and spiked with Worcestershire sauce and horse­radish, this ingredient delivered a nicely bracing yet balanced mix of flavors and a shooter that offered punch but didn’t taste harsh.

Makes 24 Spicy Shrimp Cocktail Shooters

canned chipotle chile in adobo
2½ cups Bloody Mary mix
¼ cup tequila
1 pound extra-large shrimp
(21 to 25 per pound)
Fresh cilantro
5 limes