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American

Shrimp Cocktail Shooters

Individual portions of classic shrimp cocktail served in elegant shot glasses

cold_biteEasyAmerican
Prep20 minCook5 minTotal25 minServes24Tempcold
✓ gluten-free✓ dairy-free
⚠ Contains: 🦐 Shellfish
Recipe
Ingredients
  • 24large shrimp(21-25 count, peeled and deveined)
  • 1lemon(halved)
  • 1 tbspOld Bay seasoning
  • 1 cupketchup
  • 3 tbspprepared horseradish
  • 1 tbspfresh lemon juice
  • 1 tspWorcestershire sauce
  • 0.5 tsphot sauce
  • 24shot glasses(or small vessels)
  • 1 tbspfresh chives(minced, for garnish)
Make Ahead

Shrimp can be poached up to 24 hours ahead; refrigerate. Cocktail sauce can be made 1 week ahead. Assemble shooters up to 2 hours before serving.

Instructions
  1. 1Bring large pot of water to boil with lemon halves and Old Bay
  2. 2Add shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes until just pink and curled
  3. 3Immediately transfer to ice bath to stop cooking
  4. 4For cocktail sauce: mix ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire, and hot sauce
  5. 5Adjust horseradish to taste preference
  6. 6Spoon 1 tablespoon cocktail sauce into each shot glass
  7. 7Hook 1 shrimp over rim of each glass
  8. 8Garnish with pinch of chives
  9. 9Arrange on tray and serve chilled
Notes
Pro Tips

Don't overcook the shrimp - they should be just opaque. The ice bath is essential to stop cooking and ensure tender shrimp. Fresh horseradish makes a significant difference in the sauce. Use uniform-sized shrimp for consistent presentation.

History & Origin

Shrimp cocktail has been an American celebration staple since the early 20th century. The individual shooter presentation emerged in the 2000s as an elegant way to serve the classic appetizer at cocktail parties without the need for plates and forks.

Cocktail Pairings
Pairs Well With
champagnevodkaginmartini
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American◆Easy