5 Unexpected Cocktails You Can Make with Soda Jerk Root Beer Shots

Root beer had a glow-down.

For years, it lived at the kids’ table. Floats. Foam mustaches. Plastic cups. Safe. Sweet. Boring.

Then Soda Jerk Root Beer shots showed up and chose violence.

These shots are loud, creamy, spicy, and proudly nostalgic. They don’t sip politely. They don’t ask permission. You mix them or drop them into something unsuspecting, and suddenly the night takes a turn.

Not a “wow, interesting flavor profile” turn.

A “why are we laughing this hard?” turn.

Here are five unexpected cocktails that prove root beer is done behaving.

1. The Cowboy

Root Beer Shot + Bourbon

You already like bourbon. You just haven’t tried it like this.

How to make it

• Pour 1½ oz bourbon over ice.
• Add 1 Soda Jerk Root Beer shot.
• Stir if it makes you feel in control.

The bourbon brings vanilla, caramel, and oak. The root beer brings creamy spice. They click immediately. No adjustment period. No learning curve.

Why it works

The root beer smooths the burn and cranks the flavor. It’s bold, rich, and goes down faster than you expect. That’s the danger.

2. Shoot the Root (aka Chaos in a Pint Glass)

Root Beer Shot Dropped into Light Beer

You’ve done shot-and-a-beer. That’s cute. This is different.

How to make it

• Grab a cold light beer. Lager or pilsner works best.
• Drop a Soda Jerk Root Beer shot straight in.
• Drink immediately. Don’t pause. Don’t ask questions.

Why it works

The beer stays crisp. The root beer crashes the party with sweetness and spice. The bubbles survive. The balance somehow makes sense.

It’s refreshing, confusing, and perfect for nights where one bad idea becomes the plan.

3. The Captain’s a Jerk

Root Beer Shot + Spiced Rum

If you like sweet drinks with a little bite, this one finds you.

How to make it

• Pour 1½ oz Captain Morgan over ice.
• Add 1 Soda Jerk Root Beer shot.
• Stir and commit.

Why it works

Spiced rum brings heat. Root beer brings creamy sweetness. Together, they taste like a root beer float that grew up and stopped apologizing.

Smooth. Rich. A little dangerous. You’ll wonder why this isn’t already a standard order.

4. Bold Fashioned

Root Beer Shot + Bourbon + Bitters

• This is not a party drink.
• This is a “sit down and pay attention” drink.

How to make it

• Build it like an old fashioned.
• Split the base: half bourbon, half Soda Jerk Root Beer shot.
• Add bitters.
• Drop in a cherry.
• Finish with an orange peel.

Skip the simple syrup. The root beer handles that.

Why it works

The vanilla and caramel notes round out the bourbon and smooth everything over. It’s slightly sweet, full of flavor, and easier to drink than it has any right to be.

Fair warning

You won’t stop at one.

5. Jerk Float

Root Beer Shot + Vanilla Ice Cream + Cream Soda

This is dessert that stopped pretending it’s innocent.

How to make it

• Fill a glass with ice.
• Add two scoops of vanilla ice cream.
• Pour in 1 oz Soda Jerk Root Beer shot.
• Top with cream soda.

That’s it. No garnish needed.

Why it works

Vanilla loves root beer. Cream soda adds silkiness and bubbles. The spice pulls it together. Sweet. Boozy. Gone fast.

No shame. No sharing.

Final Word

Soda Jerk Root Beer shots don’t want to sit quietly in your liquor cabinet.

They want chaos.

They want to be dropped, mixed, chased, and blamed.

Bourbon? They level it up.
Beer? They take over.
Spiced rum? They lean in.
Ice cream? They turn it into a weapon.

So when someone says, “Root beer shots?”
You smile.
You say, “Trust me.”

And then you let the night do what it’s going to do.

Be a JERK responsibly.