Sometimes you want to have yourself a sophisticated drink. And sometimes…you don’t. For those days when you don’t need to be fancy-schmancy, consider trying out this yummy little shooter.
The Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot Is popular in nightclubs, bars, and parties mostly because it’s easy and sweet, without being overly so. Even if you’re not a “sweet” kind of drink person, you’ll probably like this dessert-inspired concoction.
What goes into this delicious shot? Keep reading to find out how to replicate this delicious little shooter anytime you’re feeling like you need a little something tropical.

The Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot Breakdown
The Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot is a great way to entertain without breaking the budget, as it only requires a few simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand. It also allows you to keep the drinking responsible by keeping the servings limited. So, essentially fun without the risks!
The Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot is a sorta-layered shot, resembling the cake it is named after. At the bottom is the red of the grenadine (simulating the cherry on the cake) and the top is pineapple, representing, well, the pineapple of the cake.
You can also turn this shooter into a mixed cocktail if that’s more your thing, as well as play around with different vodka flavors. This really is a great base for your creativity. Sorry gin fans, it probably wouldn’t be good with your favorite spirit.
The three ingredients you will need to mix up the Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot will be:
- Vodka
- Grenadine
- Pineapple Juice
Pretty simple, right? Absolutely!
So, what is the exact breakdown of the Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot recipe? Here ya go!
The Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot Recipe
The original Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot recipe is as follows:
Ingredients
- 1 oz. Vodka
- 0.5 oz. Pineapple Juice
- 0.25 oz. Grenadine
If you want to add a little flair, you can also add a cherry to the rim of the shot glass.
Preparation
- Add Grenadine to a two-ounce shot glass. If you need a new shot glass, consider these.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka and pineapple juice–shaking until chilled.
- Strain into the shot glass over the back of a spoon to allow the layered look. Plop in that maraschino cherry and enjoy!
Some important notes about your ingredients. First, it is best to use filtered, clear pineapple juice. It just makes the layering look a lot better. If you can’t find the clear juice, it will taste just as good as the non-clear juice.
Second, while any shot glass will work for this shooter, I would recommend a higher glass to really showcase your layered concoction.
And finally, as with any shooters or cocktails, you can really use whatever brands and flavors that work for your tastebuds. For example, I love the taste of Crown Royal Vanilla Whiskey and have substituted that in place of the vodka and it was delicious. If that isn’t sweet enough for you, you can also give cake-flavored vodka a try, which does make it even more “dessert-y”.
Oh, and if you want to make this shooter into a full-size cocktail, fill a highball glass with ice, add 4 ounces of pineapple juice, 1.5 – 2 ounces of vanilla whisky, and stir. Add a splash of Grenadine and a cherry or two, and you’ll have this shot modified into a cocktail you can now sip on.
Final Thoughts On The Shot
Some days require something sweet, delicious, and less sophisticated. When those days come, consider giving The Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot a try. Sure, it isn’t the most complex or even the fanciest, but with its simple ingredients, ease of adapting to the spirits you have on hand and enjoy, and its sweet kick, you’re sure to enjoy this little shooter that emulates one of our favorite desserts.