Maybe you were taught to pair wine with oysters, and maybe you were taught wrong. That’s right, we’re flipping the script and pairing the briny sea creatures with something closer to our hearts: vodka. Specifically, we’re making vodka oyster shooters with our grain-to-glass New Deal Vodka. We’re fortunate to have incredible access to sublime seafood here in Portland, and our favorite local purveyor is Flying Fish. Their busy shop turns out the freshest and most delicious seafood in town, and we’re quite partial to their alluring selection of fresh oysters. From shooters, to sea-inspired cocktails, to oyster shell vodka chasers, there are numerous ways to enjoy these incredible, local products together. 

Here we give you recipes for vodka oyster shooters, two ways. If you’re iffy on the thought of plopping a raw oyster into your drink, we have one piece of advice: don’t knock it ‘til you try it. 

Lemon Oyster Shooter with Old Bay
Sprinkle some Old Bay seasoning on a small plate. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of a shot glass. Dip the shot glass into the Old Bay and shake off excess. Add ¼ oz fresh lemon juice, 1 oz New Deal Vodka, and 1 raw oyster to the shot glass. Drink in one gulp.

Bloody Mary Oyster Shooter
Add ½ oz Portland Bloody Mary Mix, 1 oz New Deal Vodka, and 1 raw oyster to a shot glass. Drink in one gulp. (Optional: add a dash of tabasco to the shot for heat).

If you prefer a non-alcoholic shooter, we suggest a shot of ¼ oz lemon juice, 1 oz Ume Plum Sparkling Water, and 1 raw oyster. It’s briny, bubbly, and refreshing.

And if we haven’t convinced you to put shellfish in your drink, our final suggestion is a simple one. Slurp the oyster then pour a little vodka into the shell (letting it mix with the leftover briny juices), and enjoy a little salty-seawater-vodka martini sip. You’re welcome.