Shotgun Cocktail Recipe ｜ Easy 2-Ingredient Tequila Slammer Shot

Shotgun cocktail, a clear tequila shot with a lemon wedge on the rim, beside a bottle of Jose Cuervo Especial silver tequila and a whole lemon

The Shotgun cocktail looks like a quiet little shot, yet one slam on the table turns it into the loudest moment in the bar. True to its name, it hits fast: tequila and tonic water are sealed under a coaster, struck down hard, and the bubbles surge up all at once.

Chilled tonic softens the bold agave, a bitter fizz lifts every gulp, and a wedge of lemon or lime cools the finish. Made for celebrating with friends, it is worth one slam tonight.

Table of Contents

Recipe & How to Make It

Ingredients

Multiple rows of spirit bottles on backlit bar shelves against an exposed brick wall

Recipe no.180

Tequila — 1 oz (30ml)
Tonic water — Full
Lemon or lime wedge

※ Full = Fill to about 80–90% of the glass.

How to Make It

Two salt-rimmed tequila shot glasses sit on a colorful table beside cut lime wedges.

Step

Prepare

Chill the tonic water in advance.
Cut a lemon or lime into eighths and have one wedge ready.

Step

Combine the Ingredients

Pour the tequila and tonic water into a shot glass, then place a coaster on top like a lid.

Step

Get Ready

Hold the coaster down firmly and lift the glass slightly.

Step

Slam & Drink

Slam the base of the glass on the table, then quickly drink it all in one go.

・Technique ｜ Shot (Slam)
・Glass ｜ Shot Glass
・ABV ｜ About 20%
・Best Enjoyed ｜ Daytime / Club

Origin & Characteristics of the Shotgun

Origin

Black-and-white photo of a person in a cap aiming and firing a shotgun across an open field during clay shooting

The Shotgun is a party drink named after the firearm, famous for its one-of-a-kind ritual. Outside Japan, the same drink is best known as the “Tequila Slammer,” named for the way the glass is slammed on the table.

The most popular story behind the Japanese name is a playful one: the bubbles make strong tequila go down so easily that you drink too much, and the buzz hits you like a shotgun blast.

It has long been a drink for celebrations, when friends raise a glass together and toast each other in one go. I’d call it the loudest toast in the bar, and the one people remember the next day.

Flavor & Characteristics

A bottle of Don Julio 70 blanco tequila beside a filled shot glass and fresh lime wedges, set on a dark wooden bar table

The Shotgun is built in a small shot glass with tequila and a carbonated mixer. You cover it with a coaster, lift it, and slam the base on the table. The impact shakes the dissolved carbon dioxide loose, and with nowhere to escape, it rushes up the moment you lift the coaster.

You drink it in one go before it overflows. The bubbles soften tequila’s bold agave, then a bitter, tonic-bright finish follows.

Shotgun Tips, Recipe Video & Variations

Tips, Twists & Food Pairings

Crispy tortilla chips piled in a rustic clay bowl on a colorful table, a classic Mexican snack to pair with tequila — Photo ｜ Tortilla Chips

Tips

Use a sturdy, thick-bottomed shot glass — The glass takes a hard hit every time, so a heavy base keeps it from cracking. A thin or delicate glass can break on impact, and I always choose a solid one for safety.
Common mistake: lifting the coaster too soon — If the coaster comes off before you’re ready, the bubbles shoot out and spill everywhere. Hold the coaster down firmly while you slam, then lift it only as the glass reaches your lips.
Chill the tonic water well — Cold tonic keeps its carbonation better, so it foams up evenly on impact. It also softens tequila’s bite, and you can finish with a bite of lemon or lime to refresh the palate.

Twists

Ginger Shotgun — Swap the tonic water for ginger ale. Ginger’s gentle spice and sweetness pair naturally with agave, making a friendlier shot for first-timers.
Grapefruit Shotgun — Use grapefruit soda instead of tonic. Its bittersweet citrus echoes the Paloma, Mexico’s favorite tequila highball, adding a bright, juicy kick.

Food Pairings

Tortilla chips with guacamole — Creamy avocado softens tequila’s strength, while the salty chips and bubbles keep each bite light and fun.
Chicken tacos with lime — Tequila’s agave notes match the Mexican flavors, and the citrus and fizz cut through the savory, juicy filling.
Spicy chicken wings — The chill and bubbles cool down the heat, while tonic’s bitterness balances the rich, saucy wings, perfect for a lively party.

Recipe Video

Recipe Video ｜ Mitsuru Ito Channel Home

Shotgun Variations

A shot glass of golden tequila with a salt shaker and a lime wedge on a wooden bar counter

There are Shotgun variations that add a liqueur to make the drink a little easier to enjoy. The alcohol level drops slightly, and the liqueur’s sweetness and flavor make each shot smoother.

You can also use other carbonated mixers instead of tonic water, such as soda or ginger ale, so feel free to experiment.