What Is a Root Beer Shot? The Complete Guide to Root Beer Flavored Spirits

If you've searched 'root beer shot,' you're probably looking for one of a few things: a recipe, an explanation of what root beer flavored alcohol actually is, or both. This guide covers all of it.

Root beer as a cocktail ingredient has a longer history than most people realize, and the options available today range from simple DIY combinations to purpose-built craft spirits. Here's how to understand the category, make the drinks, and know what to look for when you're buying.

What Is a Root Beer Shot?

A root beer shot refers to two different things depending on context. The first is a cocktail: a short, usually 1 to 2 ounce drink made by combining a standard spirit (typically vodka or whiskey) with root beer soda or root beer flavored syrup. The second is a category of spirit: a root beer flavored alcohol, distilled or infused to taste like root beer, designed to be consumed neat or as a cocktail base.

The cocktail version has been around in various forms for decades. The spirit version is newer and represents a genuinely different approach, building the root beer flavor into the distillation itself rather than relying on soda as a mixer. Brands like Soda Jerk have led this shift, crafting spirits at full proof that capture the classic root beer float flavor on their own.

Both versions are explored below, including recipes for each.

Root Beer Shot Recipes

Classic Root Beer Vodka Shot

The most common version. Two ingredients, easy to scale.

• 1 oz vodka (unflavored or vanilla vodka)
• 1 oz root beer soda (chilled)

1. Chill both ingredients before making.
2. Pour vodka into a shot glass.
3. Top with cold root beer soda.
4. Drink immediately before the carbonation flattens.

The ratio can be adjusted to taste. More soda makes it lighter and lower-proof. Vanilla vodka adds a creamier character that pushes it closer to a root beer float. Some variations add a small splash of cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a larger glass.

Root Beer Float Shot

The dessert version. Three ingredients.

• 1 oz vanilla vodka
• 0.5 oz Irish cream liqueur (Baileys or similar)
• 0.5 oz root beer soda

1. Layer ingredients in a shot glass: root beer soda first, then Irish cream, then vodka on top.
2. For a layered presentation, pour the vodka slowly over the back of a spoon.
3. Drink as a single shot or stir before drinking.

The Irish cream adds the dairy element that makes it read as a float rather than just a root beer drink. This variation is sweeter and more dessert-forward than the classic version.

Root Beer Bomb Shot

The bomb shot format. Best for groups.

• 1.5 oz root beer flavored spirit (such as Soda Jerk) or vodka
• 10 oz cold lager or light beer

1. Pour cold beer into a pint glass, leaving room at the top.
2. Place shot glass with root beer spirit above the beer.
3. Drop the shot glass into the beer.
4. Drink immediately.

This is the bomb shot version of the root beer cocktail. The shot disperses through the beer as you drink it, flavoring the whole glass. Works best with a light lager. A stout adds darker, more complex flavors.

Root Beer Whiskey Shot

For those who want something with more backbone.

• 1 oz bourbon or Tennessee whiskey
• 1 oz root beer soda
• Dash of Angostura bitters (optional)

1. Combine whiskey and root beer in a shot glass.
2. Add a dash of bitters if using.
3. Shoot or sip over ice.

The vanilla and caramel notes in bourbon pair naturally with root beer. Tennessee whiskey, which is charcoal-filtered, adds a slightly smoother character. The bitters are optional but add depth and balance some of the sweetness.

A Brief History of Root Beer in Cocktails

Root beer itself has colonial American roots. The original versions were brewed from a combination of sassafras bark, wintergreen, vanilla, anise, and other botanicals. Charles Hires is credited with commercializing the first widely sold root beer at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, marketing it as a temperance alternative to beer during the early prohibition movement.

By the early 20th century, root beer had become one of America's most popular sodas, with the A&W chain founding in 1919 and spreading the drive-in root beer float format across the country.

Root beer flavored spirits appeared in the American market in various forms through the late 20th century, mostly as schnapps and low-proof liqueurs aimed at the mixing market. The craft spirits revival of the 2010s brought more serious approaches to the category, with small-batch producers applying real distillation technique to the flavor profile rather than simply sweetening neutral spirit.

Also Read - 5 Cocktails You Can Make with Soda Jerk Root Beer Shots

Root Beer Shot vs. Other Root Beer Spirits: A Comparison

The root beer spirits category includes several distinct product types, and the differences matter when you're buying or mixing. Here's how they compare:

Type	ABV Range	Sweetness	Best Use	Flavor Depth
Root Beer Schnapps	15-20%	Very high	Mixer only	One-dimensional
Flavored Vodka	35-40%	Low-medium	Cocktails	Subtle
Root Beer Liqueur	20-30%	High	Dessert cocktails	Moderate
Root Beer Shot (craft)	35%	Medium	Neat / mix	Full profile
Root Beer + Vodka DIY	Varies	High	Casual mix	Depends on ratios

The key distinction is between products designed primarily as mixers (schnapps, most flavored vodkas) and products designed to be consumed on their own as well as in cocktails. The latter requires a more complex flavor profile and a proof level that supports both formats.

What Makes a Good Root Beer Flavored Spirit?

The root beer flavor profile is more complex than it appears. The classic character comes from a combination of vanilla, wintergreen, anise, and various botanical notes depending on the brand. Getting these in balance at a drinkable proof requires real formulation work.

Things to look for when evaluating a root beer spirit:

• Does it taste like actual root beer, or a synthetic approximation of it?
• Is the sweetness level appropriate for the proof? Very sweet spirits at high proof suggest the sweetness is masking harshness.
• Does it work neat without being unpleasant? A well-made root beer spirit should be drinkable straight.
• Are there any blind-judged competition results? These are one of the few reliable quality signals in the flavored spirits category.

Craft root beer spirits with legitimate competition credentials are uncommon. When they exist, the medals reflect what competition judges found in the glass rather than brand recognition.

"The root beer float is such a specific flavor memory for most people. Getting it right in a spirit took real work. The goal was something you'd actually reach for again, not a novelty that sits in the back of the cabinet after one pour." -- Craig Potter, co-founder and CEO of Soda Jerk Shot

Soda Jerk Root Beer Shot is one of the few craft root beer spirits with blind-judged competition recognition: Gold Medal at the 2023 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition and Gold Medal at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. At 35% ABV (70 proof), it's designed to work both neat and as a cocktail base.

Root Beer Shot Variations Worth Knowing

Beyond the core recipes above, a few additional variations come up frequently:

• Root Beer Barrel Shot: A reference to the old-fashioned root beer barrel candy. Made with root beer schnapps and a splash of cream soda.
• Dirty Root Beer: Root beer spirit combined with cold brew coffee. The vanilla in the spirit pairs well with coffee bitterness.
• Root Beer Mule: Root beer spirit, ginger beer, and lime juice. The ginger cuts the sweetness and adds spice.
• Man Float: Root beer spirit poured directly over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Serves as both a dessert and a drink.
• Root Beer Old Fashioned: Root beer spirit combined with bourbon, bitters, and a small amount of simple syrup. Stirred over ice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is root beer a shot?

Root beer soda is not a spirit, so by itself it's not a shot. However, root beer flavored spirits and root beer cocktail shots are a well-established category. The term 'root beer shot' most commonly refers to a short cocktail that either uses root beer soda as a component or is made with a root beer flavored spirit.

What alcohol goes with root beer?

Vodka (especially vanilla vodka), bourbon, and whiskey are the most common pairings with root beer soda in cocktails. Root beer also works in bomb shot format with beer. Purpose-built root beer spirits can be used neat or as a base for any of the cocktail formats above.

What proof is root beer shot?

It depends on how you make it. A DIY root beer shot with vodka and soda will be roughly 15-20% ABV depending on ratio. Purpose-built root beer spirits typically range from 15% (liqueur-style) to 35-40% (full-proof spirit).

Does root beer liqueur exist?

Yes. Root beer liqueurs (typically lower proof, around 15-20% ABV, with higher sweetness) have been available in various forms for decades. More recently, higher-proof root beer spirits have emerged from craft distillers. The distinction matters for how you use them: liqueurs work best as cocktail components, while higher-proof spirits can work neat or in shorter drinks.