Candy-o, I need you so ...

Whether it’s your birthday, you’ve got friends in town, it’s a bachelorette party, or whatever the reason may be — you want to take some shots with your friends! I think most of us are guilty of having a fun night out on the town by approaching a bartender and just asking for shots — no specifications, just asking the bartender to make something good that will go down easy so everyone can join in.

With all these crazy new vodka and rum flavors, there is no reason why we shouldn’t have some fun with them. I decided to create a variety of shots that remind me of my favorite candies.

Peachy O's

¾ ounce Stolichnaya Peach Vodka
½ ounce peach schnapps
Splash of cranberry juice

Shake all ingredients over ice and pour into a shot glass with a sugared rim. Top off with a little lemon/lime soda.

Lemon Heads

1¼ ounces Three Olives Loopy Vodka
Splash of sweet and sour

Shake over ice and pour into a shot glass with a sugared rim.

Cherry Cola Bottles

¾ ounce Three Olives cola vodka
¼ ounce cherry pie liqueur (I used Travis Hasse’s Cherry Pie Liqueur)
Splash of cola

Stir over ice and strain into a shot glass.

Almond Joy

¼ ounce dark crème de cacao
1 squeeze of chocolate syrup (if you want to layer the shot)
½ ounce Bacardi Coconut Rum
¼ ounce amaretto
¼ ounce half & half

This shot is great whether you serve it layered or not. If you want to layer, combine dark crème de cacao and chocolate syrup and shake together over ice. This gives it a little more weight to sit on the bottom of the shot. Next, chill your coconut rum and pour slowly over a bar spoon, resting the spoon tip against the inside of the glass, on top of the chocolate. Lastly, combine half & half and amaretto over ice to chill, and slowly pour over spoon (same method) on top of the rum.

If you want to save yourself the effort of layering, combine everything together, shake over ice, and strain into a shot glass.

The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-003, or visit www.goodgirts.com.