Red Snapper 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 03/5/24
Tested by
Sean Michael Johnson
Photo of Sean Michael Johnson
Tested by Sean Michael Johnson
Sean is an award-winning bartender with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the head bartender at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, Gabriel Kreuther, crafting cocktail menus that have caught international attention. To date, he has made over 1 million cocktails, and counting.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Red snapper shots lined up with ice around them against a dark-blue backdrop

The Spruce Eats

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 to 2 servings
Yield: 1 to 2 drinks

The red snapper is one of the best-known drink recipes to feature Crown Royal Canadian Whisky. It should not be confused with the classic gin-based bloody Mary, which goes by this name as well. No, this is a popular shooter that can be enjoyed as a cocktail as well, and it is so sweet and delicious that it can easily become a favorite drink.

In this recipe, you'll simply shake the smooth whisky with amaretto and cranberry juice. The liquors are poured equally at one part each and the juice is two parts, so it's as easy to remember as it is tasty. As a shot, the recipe is designed to be shared between two people, or you can sip it slowly as a fruity mixed drink.

What You'll Need to Make This Red Snapper Shot Recipe
A Great Cocktail Jigger
A Slick Cocktail Shaker
A Classic Old Fashioned Glass

"I know the Red Snapper as a Bloody Mary variation, but I am delighted to learn this excellent application of Canadian Whisky. This cocktail is a juicy, perfectly sweet, and balanced concoction; simply a pleasure! The recipe makes two shots, or very one large drink that you can sip on all night." —Sean Michael Johnson

Red snapper shot in a shot glass
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Red snapper shooter recipe ingredients gathered

    The Spruce Eats

  2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the whisky, amaretto, and cranberry juice.

    Whiskey, amaretto, and cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker with ice

    The Spruce Eats

  3. Shake well.

    Red snapper shot ingredients being shaken in a cobbler-style cocktail shaker

    The Spruce Eats

  4. Strain into two shot glasses or one old-fashioned glass. Serve and enjoy.

    Red snapper shooter strained from a cocktail shaker into a glass

    The Spruce Eats

Tips

  • This recipe makes a 4 1/2-ounce drink, which is double the average shot, so it's best to split it between two glasses. For a single shot, cut all of the ingredients in half or pour it into a larger glass.
  • Crown Royal makes a number of Canadian whisky expressions. The "Deluxe" bottle is the flagship, and the original whisky produced by the brand. It's the one you'll most likely want to use for the shot because it's the least expensive. They do make affordable flavored versions as well; the apple, peach, and vanilla would be tasty in the red snapper.

Recipe Variations

  • This recipe can also be served as a tall, refreshing highball drink. Crown Royal recommends pouring a 1 1/4-ounce shot of whisky, 1/4 ounce of amaretto, and 6 ounces of cranberry juice. Adjust this to suit your taste—a full 1 1/2-ounce shot of both spirits makes a fine drink—and serve it over ice.
  • Make it a sparkling drink by splitting the cranberry juice with lemon-lime soda. Sprite is a favorite pairing for Crown Royal, and it's also nice with the amaretto-cranberry juice combo.
  • Another popular and similar Crown Royal-based drink is called the royal flush. The recipe pours a shot of the whisky with 1/4 ounce of peach schnapps and 3 ounces of cranberry juice. While it's often served on the rocks, you can also serve it as a shot.
  • Similarly, the fuzzy Jäger cranberry shot pours peach schnapps and cranberry juice, though that recipe uses Jägermeister as the base.

How Strong Is a Red Snapper Shot?

This is not the strongest shot you can mix up. In fact, it's surprisingly light and that's due to all the cranberry juice. Its alcohol content will be around 14 percent ABV (28 proof), or about the same as a strong whiskey and Coke. That said, a few rounds will add up, and you'll run the risk of a nasty hangover in the morning.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
67 Calories
0g Fat
9g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1 to 2
Amount per serving
Calories 67
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 3mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 9mg 47%
Calcium 6mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 28mg 1%
*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.)