We at OnMilwaukee.com encourage responsible drinking. We recommend designated drivers and knowing when to say "when."

That said, our editorial staff isn't above a well-timed shot every once in a while. And when we need to make that 1.5 ounces of hard liquor count, here's what we pick. Please add your own favorite shot using the Talkback feature below.

Molly Snyder Edler
Staff Writer

Whiskey. I like all kinds: single malt, vatted malt, single grain, blended, Irish, Canadian, bourbon, rye, etc. I can't drink copious amounts of whiskey anymore (the hangovers are too brutal), but when given the opportunity to throw back a little shot of the stuff, I'm all for it. If I were forced to pick one as my favorite, I would go with Jameson ... or Jim Beam rye ... or Maker's Mark ... or maybe Jack ...

Julie Lawrence
Staff Writer

If we're talking about simple, spur-of-the-moment shot slamming, I'll take a smooth, clear ounce or two of El Patron or an equally-minded premium tequila any day of the year. If we're looking to really make an event out of it, I have to admit that I enjoy the occasional multi-layer affairs that involve dropping a shot glass of some kind of liquor into a pint glass of some kind of beer. Favorites include the famous Irish Car Bomb (half shot of Bailey's Irish Crème and half shot of Jameson dropped into a glass of Guinness), Lunchbox (shot of Amaretto dropped into a pilsner beer and topped with orange juice) and the totally ridiculous Jager Bomb (shot of Jager dropped into a glass of Red Bull).

Drew Olson
Senior editor

If it's happened once, it's happened three dozen times with old friends, new acquaintances, the guy who just spilled a beer on your shoe ... It doesn't matter. Someone will get the bright idea "Let's do a shot." You say, "OK." And then, the question: "What should we do?" followed by a long, confused pause. You don't want to seem wimpy or cheap. But, you might not want to down a glass of rot-gut, either. In short, shots are such a conundrum that it's almost easier to decline the offer.

Like many, I went through an early Kamikaze phase. But, too many of those were badly made. Asking for a chilled Stoli is solid, but a bit boring. It's easy to just say "Cuervo," but now that my palate is a bit more educated, I realize that there are MUCH better tasting tequilas out there. For awhile, the answer was "Jagermeister." That's still a pretty solid choice. You keep your street cred, because cool guys like Dave Grohl drink it, but I find it tastes a bit too much like cough syrup.

If you asked me to name a favorite "foofy" shot, I'd go with the Lemon Drop, because I always loved those lemon candies as a kid. But, I've found that the best possible answer to the "What do you want?" question is a simple "Jameson." It's cool. It's classic. It's smooth, and it warms you up on cold winter nights, sort of like your favorite wool sweater. It'll never go out of style.

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8 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by bmc249er on Jan. 12, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. (report)

can we please please please not start calling jagermeister "jaggie". every time i go to green bay i see specials for "jaggie bombs" and it makes me want to vomit. no not from the contents (i quite like em actually) but from the pussification of the name. drew mentions dave grohl, and i guaren-damn-tee that he doesnt call jager, "jaggie". so please get me a jager and throw it back, but dont call it "jaggie"

Posted by evykins on Jan. 12, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (report)

Hands down best shot is an Irish Mexican: equal parts Jameson and Patron XO (espresso infused Patron) shaken well with ice (important for the perfect blend!). Mikey at Mantra (don't know if he still works there now that it's Decibel) introduced this to us and I don't know if it's something he came up with or not because nobody ever knows what it is (not even the other bartenders at Mantra), and nobody could make it quite like him. Prior to trying this shot, a few of us were either tequila, whiskey, or espresso haters (or all of the above!), but we tried it anyways and were just floored by how smooth and delicious it is. And of course, considering the elements, it's definitely not a shot for lightweights. If you can find Mikey or a bartender who can get this one right, you're in for one hell of a night!

Posted by AcesFull711 on Jan. 11, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (report)

pjk is right - Half of the lure of "the Shot" is that it's quick. When you order a shot that takes as long to make as a Mojito, you've lost sight of things. It's not a production - it's a shot. Stick with the simple staples - High Grade Tequila and Vodka, Bourbon or Irish Whiskey, or if you really want a chilled shot, make sure it's something already cold like Rumpie, Jager, or Cuddy's.

Posted by Z_boy on Jan. 11, 2008 at 7:07 a.m. (report)

Southern Comfort or Yukon Jack. Both have just a touch of sweetness to help ease them down your throat and into your belly.

Posted by jagia on Jan. 10, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (report)

Powers most of the time, Red Breast if I'm rich or lucky.