A Crown Royal shot is a shot made with Crown Royal Canadian whisky. Crown Royal is a popular blended Canadian whisky that is well-known for its distinctive purple bag and crown logo. It’s a smooth, easy-drinking whisky that makes a good shot on its own or mixed with other ingredients.
The Origin of Crown Royal Shots
Crown Royal whiskey was first produced in 1939 in Gimli, Manitoba to commemorate a visit by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Canada. It was described as the “King of Canadian Whiskies” and came in a regal purple bag with gold stitching.
The unique packaging and smooth taste made Crown Royal popular for both sipping and mixing into cocktails and shots. It became a favorite shot at bars, parties, and other celebrations. The classic Crown Royal shot is simply 1.5oz of Crown Royal whisky served neat in a shot glass. It’s smooth and easy-drinking – perfect for taking straight as a shot.
Popular Variations of Crown Royal Shots
While a simple neat Crown Royal makes a delicious shot, there are many popular ways to mix up this whisky into creative shooters:
Purple Hooter
A Purple Hooter mixes Crown Royal with Chambord raspberry liqueur and cranberry juice. The combination creates a sweet and fruity shot with Crown Royal’s signature purple hue.
Liquid Cocaine
Liquid cocaine shots combine Crown Royal, Rumple Minze peppermint schnapps, and Jägermeister for an intense and mouth-numbing shooter. The peppermint and Jäger’s herbal flavors pair nicely with the smooth whisky.
Royal Blow Job
A Royal Blow Job mixes Crown Royal with amaretto and whipped cream to create a creamy, sweet shooter, often topped with a cherry.
Maple Crown Apple
For a fall flavor, Maple Crown Apple shots combine Crown Royal, butterscotch schnapps, and apple cider or apple juice. It tastes just like apple pie!
Crown Royal Slushie
Blending Crown Royal with lemonade or lemon-lime soda and freezing it makes a boozy slushie shot. It’s usually served with a spoon in a shot glass.
How to Make a Crown Royal Shot
Making a basic Crown Royal shot is very simple:
- Fill a shot glass with 1.5oz (or 44ml) of Crown Royal Canadian whisky
- You can chill the shot glass and alcohol ahead of time for a frosty shot
- Serve neat – no ice needed!
For mixed shots like the Purple Hooter:
- Use a cocktail shaker filled with ice
- Add equal parts Crown Royal, Chambord, and cranberry juice
- Shake vigorously until well-chilled
- Strain into a chilled shot glass
Tips for Taking Crown Royal Shots
Here are some tips for taking Crown Royal shots:
- Shoot it fast – don’t sip a straight shot, just toss it back
- Have a chaser ready – many people prefer a Crown Royal shot followed by a swig of beer or other mixer
- Add some flair – slam the shot glass down or shake off the shot with some dramatic moves
- Suck on a lime wedge after for an added layer of flavor
- Stay hydrated – have a glass of water between rounds of shots
- Know your limits – shots of liquor can catch up to you fast, so pace yourself
The Best Occasions for Crown Royal Shots
Crown Royal shots are popular in many party situations:
- Bachelor/bachelorette parties
- Birthday parties
- College parties
- Holiday parties
- Game day watch parties
- Bar nights out with friends
Really any occasion where you want to liven up the party with a classic shot! It’s also a common shot ordered at bars and often used to celebrate special occasions like birthdays, graduations, or weddings.
Nutritional Info and Calories in a Crown Royal Shot
Here are the nutritional facts for a standard 1.5oz (44ml) shot of Crown Royal Canadian whisky:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 105 |
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
| Sugar | 0g |
| Fat | 0g |
| Protein | 0g |
As you can see, there are 105 calories and 0g carbs, sugar, fat or protein in a standard Crown Royal shot. The calories come purely from the alcohol itself.
The Alcohol Content of Crown Royal
Crown Royal contains 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof). This equals:
- 1.5oz (44ml) shot – 0.6oz (19ml) alcohol
- 750ml bottle – 300ml alcohol
Most whisky and liquors are right around 40% ABV. The alcohol content gives Crown Royal its intoxicating effects when consumed in shots or cocktails.
The Price of Crown Royal
As a premium but affordable blended Canadian whisky, Crown Royal costs around $25-$35 for a standard 750ml bottle. Some prices for common sizes:
- 50ml mini bottle – $3-$5
- 200ml bottle – $10-$15
- 375ml bottle – $15-$20
- 750ml bottle – $25-$35
- 1.75L handle – $45-$60
There are also special vintage and reserve varieties of Crown Royal that cost more, up to $75+ per 750ml bottle. At bars and restaurants, you can expect to pay around $5-8 per Crown Royal shot.
Common Crown Royal Cocktails
In addition to shots, Crown Royal is also commonly mixed into these cocktails:
- Whisky and Coke – Crown Royal & Cola
- Sevens and Sevens – Crown Royal, Seagram’s 7 Whiskey, 7UP
- Madras – Crown Royal, cranberry juice, orange juice
- Manhattan – Crown Royal, sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters
- Old Fashioned – Crown Royal, bitters, sugar, orange slice
Crown Royal makes a smooth and flavorful base spirit for many different cocktails beyond just shots. Its versatility with both sweet and savory mixers makes it a staple liquor for home bars and bartenders.
Similar Drinks to Crown Royal
If you enjoy Crown Royal, here are some similar whiskies and spirits to try in shots and cocktails:
- Canadian Club
- Seagrams 7
- Jameson Irish Whiskey
- Jack Daniel’s Whiskey
- Jim Beam Bourbon
- Southern Comfort
- Fireball Cinnamon Whisky
Canadian whiskies like Canadian Club have a similar smoothness and flavor profile to Crown Royal. Bourbons and Tennessee whiskeys also make good alternatives in the right cocktails. Fireball provides spice and cinnamon heat instead of Crown’s smoothness.
Is Crown Royal Gluten Free?
Yes, Crown Royal Canadian whisky is distilled from gluten-free grains – primarily corn. As a result, standard Crown Royal is considered gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. However, those highly sensitive should still use caution.
Fun Crown Royal Shot Ideas
Here are some fun and creative ways to serve up Crown Royal shots:
- Mini crown shaped shot glasses
- Layered “purple hooter” shots with Chambord on the bottom
- Crown Royal jello shots
- Frozen Crown Royal slushie shots
- “Crown me” shots served on paper crowns
Get creative with how you serve the shots by incorporating Crown’s regal theme. Infuse it into jello shots or frozen slushies for a new texture.
Conclusion
A Crown Royal shot is the quintessential whisky shot experience – smooth, easy-drinking Canadian whisky served neat or mixed into a creative, flavorful shooter. Crown Royal’s versatility, taste, and iconic purple packaging have made it a go-to spirit for shots at bars, parties, and celebrations of all kinds for decades. Taking a Crown Royal shot is a great way to get any occasion buzzing with fun energy!