Short Shot - Mini Beers

I don't think I'm going to have a whole lot to say on the subject. I generally don't do hard liquor, let alone shots. Despite that, I found myself being introduced to this particular shot under the pretense that it was beer-adjacent. This is not beer. This mimics beer in the most cartoonish sense, but it has very little to do with actual beer. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law introduced this concept of a mini beer to me, and I wanted to get down my thoughts.

In the required beer-shaped shot glass, it does vaguely resemble a beer. The contents are very simple, but the execution is a little more subtle. The base is Licor 43, a Spanish liqueur with a hefty 31% ABV and a color and clarity that mimics a German blonde or a particularly dark version of an American lager. The head is simple heavy cream with no alcohol; I'm told that it's there simply to mimic the effect of a head. The execution requires that the Licor 43 be left in the freezer for an extended period of time to maintain adequate density such that the lightly dribbled on cream stays on top.

I can't sip a shot. So, this is going to be one big gulp.

The creamy sweetness of the cream combines with vanilla and citrus and even more sweetness of the Licor 43 to create an almost candy-like experience. The warmth coming from the significant alcohol is reminiscent of other liquors that I've had, and it also reminds me of some moonshines that are particularly sweet and alcohol heavy.

Bottom Line: It's not going to replace a beer, but it could start off or conclude a nice night with a sweet beverage.

4.0/5