A shrimp cocktail is the ultimate classic appetizer, don't you think? It may look a little old-fashioned, but it has become a classic for a reason: it's just really delicious! These shrimp cocktail cups are full of flavor and super easy to make. Will you serve them this Christmas?
This classic prawn cocktail is something I love to serve as a starter for a dinner party; it's so easy to make and super delicious. It's also a classic starter for our yearly Christmas dinner. Everyone loves it!
Why you'll love this recipe
Quick recipe - these shrimp cocktail cups are ready within just 10 minutes!
Make ahead recipe - you can whip up the cocktail sauce the day before; just mix the sauce and the shrimp when you're ready to serve the dish.
Serves a crowd - this recipe will serve 4 people but it's so easy to double or triple the quantities.
Ingredients shrimp cocktail cups
For this recipe you'll need:
Shrimp - I prefer fresh, peeled shrimp to make these shrimp cocktail cups. You can use frozen shrimp too, make sure to let it thaw before you prepare the cups.
Cream cheese - the base of the sauce. You can substitute cream cheese with cream for a more liquid sauce.
Mayo & ketchup - use your favorite brand.
Whisky - to create a classic 'whisky cocktail sauce' add a dash of whisky to the sauce. If you prefer an alcoholfree-sauce, just leave it out or replace with a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
Lime - for a vibrant and fresh touch.
Lettuce - serve the shrimp cocktail on some lettuce. I prefer butter lettuce or lamb's lettuce.
Fresh chives - fresh herbs always help to bring a dish to the next level! Please don't leave them out and don't replace with dried chives.
Variation tips: replace the lime with lemon for a slightly different taste. If you don't like chives, you can use parsley instead. A few slices of avocado are a great addition to the shrimp cocktail cups.
Preparation and storage
This shrimp cocktail cups recipe only takes 10 minutes to prepare, but you can definitely prepare the sauce a day before serving. Keep the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge.
Any leftovers are recommended to be eaten as soon as possible, on the same day.
FAQ
I prefer fresh shrimp but yes, you can! Just be sure to thaw the shrimp completely before using them in the recipe.
All the ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free, but be sure to check the labels of your mayonnaise and ketchup to ensure they are gluten-free.
You can prepare the cocktail sauce a day ahead and store it in the fridge. However, it's best to assemble the shrimp cocktail cups just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp.
If you prefer an alcohol-free option, simply omit the whisky or replace it with a dash of Worcestershire sauce for added flavor.
Any leftovers should be consumed the same day for the best taste and freshness. If you have extra sauce, you can keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can use this as a dressing for salads.
Appetizers
- Shrimp Ragout in Puff Pastry Shells
- Roast Beef Appetizers with Pesto
- Baked Goat Cheese with Honey and Thyme
- Eggplant Stacks with Mozzarella & Tomato Sauce
Shrimp cocktail cups
Equipment
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups shrimp
- 2 tablespoon cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 teaspoon whisky
- 1 lime
- butter lettuce
- chives
- pepper and salt
Instructions
- Mix the cream cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, and whiskey until smooth. Season with lime juice from half the lime, salt, and pepper.
- Divide some lettuce among cocktail glasses and divide the shrimp among the lettuce.
- Spread the whiskey cocktail sauce over the shrimp and garnish with freshly chopped chives.
- Garnish each shrimp cocktail cup with a slice of lime.
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