Three Wise Men Whiskey Shot

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 02/29/24
Tested by
Diana Andrews
Headshot of Diana Andrews
Tested by Diana Andrews
Diana earned her B.A. in Fine Art at Queens College and her culinary certification from the Institute of Culinary Education. Diana has served as head recipe developer and editor for Emmy-nominated PBS series Moveable Feast, food editor and test kitchen manager at Fine Cooking Magazine, and recipe developer, and product tester at Food Network.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
A three wise men shot

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

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

The "three wise men" of whiskey are Johnnie Walker, Jim Beam, and Jack Daniels who, in this case, mix together for a very strong shot of whiskey. Although it may seem odd to combine 3 whiskeys into the same shot, it is popular and works surprisingly well.

In a single shot, you get to taste sort of a hybrid whiskey: a little scotch, a hint of bourbon, and a touch of Tennessee whiskey. The trio comes together in a fascinating way and it's worth experiencing them together, even if it's just one time. The flagship bottle for each brand—Johnnie Walker Red Label, Jack Daniel's Old No. 7, and Jim Beam White Label—is typically used for this shot. These are also the least expensive of the portfolios. There are also a few ways to change up the shot if you like.

What You'll Need to Make This Three Wise Men Shot Recipe
A Great Cocktail Jigger
A Sleek Cocktail Shaker
A Nifty Cocktail Strainer

"My first shot when I turned 21 was a Three Wise Men. Unfortunately, that shot was a combination of tequila, Irish whiskey, and Tennessee whiskey. This version is much more palatable and is way better than the one (or two) I had on my first night of passage. This cocktail is worth a shot!" —Sean Michael Johnson

Three wise men whiskey shot
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1/2 ounce Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky

  • 1/2 ounce​ Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey

  • 1/2 ounce​ Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Three wise. men whiskey shots in shot glasses gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. Pour the three whiskeys in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice.

    Three Wise Men Whiskey Shot ingredients, a glass with ice and a cocktail shaker

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Shake well.

    Shaking a cocktail shaker

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Strain into a shot glass, serve and enjoy!

    Three wise men whiskey shot next to a cocktail shaker

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

How Strong Is a Three Wise Men Shot?

While it is made entirely of whiskey, this shot is shaken and that brings it down from the standard bottling proof of each whiskey. It is still very potent, however, and one of the stronger shots you will find, weighing in with an alcohol content of 30 percent ABV (60 proof). If you choose to skip the shaker, the shot will be full bottling strength; for these whiskeys, that's 80-proof. One or two shots of whiskey can get most people drunk, especially if your night includes other alcoholic drinks.

Why Is the Shot Called the Three Wise Men?

These specific brands are 3 iconic whiskeys named after men who played a role in making whiskey famous. Without these so-called "wise men," the world of whiskey may look completely different than it does today. You could say that this shot is a tribute to their collective legacy. The one exception in brand recommendations is when the three wise men visit Mexico. Jose Cuervo Gold once dominated the tequila scene, particularly in American bars. This is no longer the case. There are many great tequilas available today, so don't hesitate to pour a different brand of tequila.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
149 Calories
0g Fat
0g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 149
% 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.)

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