It’s the most wonderful time of the year for college students- its’s Spring Break! A time filled with no homework or stress, only beaches, partying, and LOTS of alcohol! So, with Spring Break being just around the corner for us here in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Brad and I went out into the world and “researched” the best specialty shots you need to try over the break!
Okay so a little backgrounder! Yes, you can specialty shots at about any bar you go to, but one bar in Tuscaloosa, The Red Shed offers over 36 SPECILITY SHOTS TO CHOOSE FROM! While Brad and I did most of our “research” at the Red Shed, I also stopped by Unique (another bar located in Tuscaloosa) before hitting The Red Shed! Also, do I recommend “researching” like what Brad and I did? Yes and no! If you decide to “research” specialty shots during spring break, be careful! If you get any of shots as listed below, while sugary, they still contain alcohol so drink responsibly! Now with that warning, let’s get into the specialty shots!
Lemon Drop shot:
The first specialty shot I tried on my night of “research” was a classic- the Lemon Drop shot. My boyfriend, who agreed to join me on my night of research, and I got this specialty shot at Unique. As mentioned above, I also “researched” at Unique due to the Red Shed being closed (or what looked to be closed but later found out it was just dead). This sweet drink (like all specialty shots we tried) wasn’t too sweet or sour, just right! So, if you are a fan of lemonade (and who isn’t), then this shot is perfect for you!
Madison’s overall rating: 8/10 (you can’t beat a classic)
Green Tea shot:
Shortly after the Lemon Drop shot, my boyfriend and I went straight to the green tea shot. To be honest, I was a bit worried about this one as I am not a fan of green tea, but surprisingly, it was a nice subtle taste (not too overpowering at all)! So, if you are looking for an “easy going drink” (and do or don’t like tea), then I recommend taking a shot with this specialty shot!
Madison’s overall rating: 8/10 (the only green tea I will ever like)
Kamikaze shot:
After two rounds of darts with my boyfriend (which I won by the way hehe), we tried another classic- the Kamikaze! In my opinion, it tasted like a glorified lemon drop shot (again not too sweet or sour). According to my boyfriend though, this was considered a “weak” Kamikaze (apparently not sour enough). I’ll have to “research” this specialty shot again, but if you are a fan of the lemon drop (or again lemonade) or a fan of sour anything (according to my boyfriend), then you need to try this specialty shot!
Madison’s overall rating: Another 8/10 (I liked it but I want to try it with more of a kick)
Vegas Bomb:
It was shortly after the kamikaze shot that my boyfriend and I hopped on over to The Red Shed. Luckily for us, it was a Monday night and basically dead (ten people including the bar tenders). After looking at the chalk board in awe (all 36 specialty shots and more they have to offer), I decided the first specialty shot to try was a Vegas bomb. Now I will admit, when the bartender told us the Vegas Bomb contained whisky, an energy drink, and some other stuff, my boyfriend and I looked at each other nervously. First off, this specialty shot was HUGE. Unlike a regular shot, this one contained 2-3 shots of whisky (hence why it is referred to as a bomb). I don’t think anyone could physically take this drink in one go it was so big, but don’t let the whisky and size intimidate you! One sip of the Vegas Bomb and I was immediately a fan! You can barely taste the whisky (which is always dangerous with sugary specialty shots) and mixed in with an energy drink and whatever else was in it, it was DELICIOUS! Although its nearly impossible to drink this in one go, it only took me three sips to down the bomb (again it’s that good). So, if you are looking for a specialty shot that’s a little wild, I highly recommend getting a Vegas bomb/shot!
Madison’s overall rating: 12/10 (not kidding it’s that good)
Washington Apple shot:
Along with getting a Vegas Bomb, we also ordered a Washington Apple. My boyfriend and I both thought this would be the better shot out of the two (and boy were we wrong). Now listen, I am a big fan of anything apple, so this specialty shot caught my eye. After having the DELICIOUS Vegas Bomb, this Washington Apple was a disappointment. Sure, you could taste the apple, but it didn’t have a ‘wow’ factor like any of the shots I had at all during my night of “research”. Would I give the Washington Apple another shot (no pun intended)? Yes! With that being said, if you like anything apple like me, I wish you better luck on finding a better Washington Apple shot then I did.
Madison’s overall rating: taste like disappointment.
Sweet Tart shot:
After an amaretto sour or two (which in our last blog post I mentioned was my favorite drink), the final specialty shot of the night we tried was the Sweet Tart shot. Although I have never been the biggest fan of Sweet Tarts, this drink was like the Vegas Bomb – DELICIOUS. This specialty shot puts a lemon drop shot and kamikaze shots to shame. Even if you aren’t a fan of Sweet Tarts like me, if you like anything lemon flavor like me, then this the shot for you!
Madison’s overall rating: 10/10 (not too sweet and not too tart but just right)
After my night of “research”, Brad went the next night to The Red Shed to do his “research”! He informed the bartenders about the “research” he was doing (they cracked up at this) and they recommended their favorite specialty shots The Red Shed had to offer! Below are the specialty shots he tried along with his overall ratings!
Good Morning shot:
From what Brad told me, this shot was a custom shot made by one of the bartenders at The Red Shed. The name derives from the taste you get when you drink orange juice after brushing your teeth and is made with orange juice and rumple (which in my opinion sounds nasty).
Brad’s overall rating: 6.5/10
The Family Tradition:
Again, this was another custom shot made by one of the bartenders at The Red Shed. This specialty shot is made with screwball and baileys (me looking at Brad in shock when he told me what was in this shot). Although this one wasn’t his favorite of the night, he did like it better than the Good Morning shot (again ehhhhh).
Brad’s overall rating: 7.5/10
Dirty Girl Scout:
Recommended by one of our directors, this drink is supposed to taste like the classic Thin Mint girl scout cookies (I’m getting hungry just typing this).
Brad’s overall rating: 7/10
Ocean Water shot:
On the night of my “research”, my boyfriend was explaining how this was his favorite specialty shot he had ever had at The Red Shed, and after hearing Brad’s thoughts on this shot, I wish I had tried this one. According to Brad, this specialty shot taste just like the blue raspberry slush you can get at Sonic. So, if you like anything blue raspberry flavoring (which who doesn’t), then try this delicious specialty shot!
Brad’s overall rating: 9/10
Baby Sunkist Bomb:
At The Red Shed, one of the bombs (bigger specialty shots just like Vegas bomb) you can get is a Sunkist Bomb. After Brad told the bartenders about his night of “research” the bartender offered a mini version of the Sunkist Bomb (hence the baby in the name). According to Brad, this tasted exactly like a Sunkist soda!
Brad’s overall rating: 9.3/10 (Brad and his specific ratings crack me up by the way)
Pineapple Upside-down shot:
Brad informed me that this was one of his favorite specialty shots of the night it was that good! So, if you like anything pineapple, this one is for you!
Brad’s overall rating: 9.5/10 (again the specific rating cracks me up)
Astro shot:
Who remembers those hot summer days with an Astro pop dripping down in hand? This delicious red, white, and blue popsicle was a classic during childhood, and The Red Shed perfectly captured it within this shot! So, if you want to kick it old school and reminisce of the good ole days, get you an Astro pop!
Brad’s overall rating: 9/10
Buttery Nipple shot:
I wish I was kidding about the name of this specialty shot (yes, it is called that). According to Brad, this specialty shot is a mix of coffee and caramel flavors (which he enjoyed especially considering he has only had coffee ONCE in his life).
Brad’s Overall rating: 8/10
Dreamsicle shot:
According to Brad, this shot is another trip down memory lane! Who doesn’t remember the iconic orange and vanilla ice cream duo (I can still smell it)! So again, if you want to kick it old school and reminisce of the good ole days, get yourself a dreamsicle shot!
Brad’s overall rating: 9/10 (taste exactly like the popsicle)
By Madison Corley and Brad Hachtel
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 in honor of Spring Break! Read along as they reveal their favorite and ones you NEED to avoid!){kind=link}