Shrimp Cocktail with Vodka Sauce

Shrimp Cocktail with Vodka Sauce is made with poached shrimp and served chilled in individual glasses with a spicy vodka cocktail sauce.  A great appetizer, this shrimp cocktail is quick and easy to make and will impress your guests!

Make It Special with a Shrimp Cocktail…

My husband’s favorite thing about going to cocktail parties is that they (almost) always include a shrimp cocktail appetizer.  A platter of giant, plump shrimp just waiting to be dunked into a powerful cocktail sauce.

But why do we have to wait for an invite to a party to enjoy this fancy appetizer?  You can make this simple and easy shrimp cocktail with vodka sauce at home and at any time. Right?!

Plus, if you plan an intimate soiree dinner party, this makes the perfect little appetizer to serve!

What is a Shrimp Cocktail? 

Shrimp Cocktail is a simple appetizer for shrimp which are poached in boiling water for a few minutes, then drained and chilled before serving.  They are best served with a mild or spicy cocktail sauce or with a splash of lemon juice over them.

What is Vodka Cocktail Sauce?

Vodka cocktail sauce is a tomato-based sauce and it is served with chilled poached shrimp for dipping. This vodka cocktail sauce is made with only 5 ingredients: ketchup, horseradish, vodka, salt and pepper, and lemon juice.  It’s simple and super easy!

Our Recipe Tips for Shrimp Cocktail:

• You don’t even have to cook the shrimp yourself if you don’t want to. You can buy precooked shrimp at your local fish market or Whole Foods.  But most likely, you are buying frozen shrimp.
• When you boil the shrimp yourself,  it will taste and smell much better than frozen shrimp.  Also,  it will not be soggy.
• Also, we prefer large-size shrimps and ones that are already cleaned and ready to go.  They cost a little more but are well worth to save some time by not having to clean and devein them.
• When you buy shrimps already peeled and cleaned,  they only need a good rinse in cold water for a few minutes before you poach them.
• Plus, you can cook the shrimp one day ahead and keep the shrimp chill it in your refrigerator
  

*Below, are the large-sized shrimps to please my husband.  I didn’t mind since he offered to clean them for me.  🙂 

How To Make The Sauce?

This vodka cocktail sauce is spicy, fresh-tasting, and delicious. This is an easy vodka sauce for any shrimp cocktail.  A quick stir to blend ketchup, vodka, horseradish, seasonings, and a touch of lemon juice.

Helpful Tip! The amount of horseradish to use depends on your taste, and how hot and spicy you like your cocktail sauce to turn out.  You can play with the ingredients and make adjustments to the number of spices as your taste prefers.

How to Serve Shrimp Cocktail?

There are a few ways to serve shrimp cocktails:

1.  For a Large Crowd: If you are planning to serve a shrimp cocktail for a large group, then it’s best to serve the shrimp on a large platter.  Spoon the vodka sauce into a small glass and place it in the center of the platter, or nearby.

2.  For a Small Soiree:  Serve the shrimp in individual glasses or cocktail glasses, add a dollop of vodka sauce in each glass, jazz up each glass with slices of lemon or lime, and garnish with some fresh chives.  It makes a lovely presentation.

3.  Additional Options: You can serve it with a few wedges of lemon next to the shrimp for those who do not care for the cocktail sauce.

Ingredients for Shrimp Cocktail:

*Our full recipe card is located at the bottom of this page.

• Jumbo Shrimp (about 2 pounds)
• Fresh Lemons and Limes
• Fresh Chives

Directions To Make It:

1.  Peel and devein the shrimp.  Leave the tails on, but discard the shells.
In a medium-size pot filled with water, bring to a boil, and add the lemon juice and salt.

2.  Slowly transfer the shrimp into the boiling water.  Turn off the heat, cover, and let stand for about 6 to 8 minutes, or until the shrimp are firm and pink.  Drain the shrimp.

3.  Add shrimp into a bowl of ice water filled with ice cubes to cool the shrimp for about 2 minutes.

4.  Then drain the shrimp again, this time allowing it to drain well.

5.  Use 4-ounce serving glasses or small martini glasses.  Fill each glass with 2 tablespoons or more of vodka-cocktail sauce (see below for recipe).

6.  Arrange shrimp around the rim of each glass, alternating with lime slices and shrimp.

7.  Garnish with 2 sprigs of chives in the center.  Transfer to a serving tray.
Refrigerate, and serve shrimp cocktail chilled on individual plates with a lemon wedge on the side. Serves 6 – (with 4 shrimps per glass)

A Helpful Tip!
If you are short on time and cannot make the Vodka Cocktail Sauce, buy a jar of extra-hot cocktail sauce, mix equal parts with ketchup, and blend some Vodka and lemon juice.  Taste the sauce for its pungent, and add more or less to your preference.

                                   

Serve and Enjoy!

Shrimp Cocktail with Vodka Sauce served in individual glasses will always make a beautiful presentation for a dinner party. You may even enjoy our Shrimp Cocktail with Jalapeno Peppers.  It’s a favorite and very festive at all parties!

Enjoy!

More Delicious Recipes for Shrimp!

• Best Grilled Shrimp and Scallop Kabobs
• Zesty Lemon Shrimp and Mango Salad
• Easy Italian Shrimp Salad
• Easy Baked Shrimp Scampi Dinner
• Shrimp Cocktail with Jalapeno Peppers
  

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Happy Cooking!  🙂

Thanks for stopping by!

xo anna and liz