Southern Joe Shooter

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 04/29/21
Southern Joe Shooter - Jack Daniels Party Shot

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The Southern Joe is a very simple shot that uses two of the South's most famous liquors. It is one of the best-tasting shooters you'll find since it's essentially a fruity shot of Tennessee whiskey.

This recipe is beyond simple because all you have to do is pour and drink. There's no mixing, fussing with ice, or digging around the bar for special tools or mixers. You'll simply need a bottle of Southern Comfort, one of whiskey, and a shot glass!

The ease of mixing it makes this a great shot for parties. Everyone's sure to enjoy how the apricot-dominated spice of SoCo plays with that signature taste of a great Tennessee whiskey.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a chilled shot glass, pour the two liquors.

  3. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Since this shot is built directly in the glass, it doesn't come in contact with ice. Not only does that leave the liquors undiluted, but they're also not chilled and that can be a little too harsh. This—and any whiskey shot, for that matter—will go down smoother when served a little colder, which is why it's best in a chilled shot glass.
  • Southern Comfort is a whiskey-based liqueur created in New Orleans, though for years it was—unknowingly to consumers—made with neutral grain spirits. That has changed and it's now made with North American whiskey from Sazerac, which is a big improvement. It has a flavor profile that cannot be matched by anything else on the market. The brand's secret recipe of fruits and spices mean that there is no really good substitute available.

Recipe Variations

  • A popular way to drink a shot of Southern Comfort is with a dash of lime. That's a great approach to add an extra kick of flavor to the Southern Joe as well.
  • Of course, you can use any Tennessee whiskey in this recipe, though your options are limited. Go ahead and explore your options and have fun with how they change this shot.
  • No Tennessee whiskey in the bar tonight? Pour a bourbon instead. The flavor will be slightly different, but the basic profile will be the same, especially if you choose a robust, full-flavored whiskey.

How Strong Is a Southern Joe Shot?

An undiluted whiskey shot is going to get noticed because it's as strong as the liquors that go into it. An 80-proof whiskey and the 70-proof Original Southern Comfort together make a shot with an alcohol content of 37.5 percent ABV (75 proof), which is right between the bottling strengths of both. However, be careful when mixing higher-proof alternatives. One shot can easily get you drunker faster and catch you by surprise!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
64 Calories
0g Fat
0g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 64
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 0mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 0mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 1mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)