Preparing the Red Hot Valentine’s Shot is quick and easy, requiring just a few simple ingredients and a bit of shaking. Here’s how to make it:

Step 1: Prepare the Glass
While this is a shot, you can still set up your glass in a fun way to make it feel extra special. Choose a shot glass, or even a small coupe glass, for serving. If you like, you can rim the glass with a little cinnamon sugar for a sweet touch and extra cinnamon flavor with each sip. To do this, simply dip the rim of the glass into a shallow dish of water or simple syrup, then dip it into a mix of cinnamon and sugar. This adds a nice visual and flavor boost to your shot.

Step 2: Combine the Liquids
In a cocktail shaker, combine the cinnamon schnapps, vodka, and cranberry juice. The cinnamon schnapps will give the shot its signature spicy kick, while the vodka provides a smooth base. The cranberry juice brings a refreshing tartness and adds a beautiful red hue to the drink. This combination creates the ideal balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy.

Step 3: Add Ice
If you prefer your shot chilled, add ice cubes to the shaker. This will ensure your shot is nice and cold when you serve it, which enhances the flavors and provides a refreshing contrast to the heat from the cinnamon schnapps.

Step 4: Shake It Up
Put the lid on your cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds. You want the ingredients to combine well, and shaking will also help chill the shot and dilute it slightly, making it smoother and easier to drink.

Step 5: Strain and Serve
Once you’ve shaken the mixture, strain the contents into your prepared shot glass. The deep red color will immediately catch the eye, and the frothy top will make it look even more inviting.

Step 6: Garnish and Enjoy
For a simple yet elegant garnish, drop a fresh cranberry into the shot or place a cinnamon stick in the glass for added flair. These garnishes not only add to the aesthetic appeal but also complement the drink’s flavors.