SHOTS BOX
A MONTHLY COCKTAIL SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE

As it is getting more and more difficult and unsafe to return to our previous “normal life,” which included being able to enjoy cool craft cocktails in a fun bar setting, at-home drinking has really surged since the pandemic began. I know I’ve been playing home bartender trying my very best not to have to settle for ho-hum or mediocre cocktails.

This is where Shots Box—a monthly subscription service for craft spirits lovers—comes into play.

Shots Box offers it subscribers a Customizable Sample Box as well as a Cocktail Box of the Month. In fact, Shots Box has become the nationwide go-to subscription service delivering craft spirits direct to your door since it first launched in October 2018. Customers are offered a new way to discover and taste craft spirits in sample sizes (think airplane sized bottles of booze) before making the commitment to purchasing full-sized bottles. Shots Box even allows its customers to curate their own monthly sample box.

Here is more info on the two popular Shots Box subscription services offered.

Customizable Monthly Sample Box: The signature Shots Box offers 10 minis and is
fully customizable. Choose any 10 craft spirits minis and build the box you want to receive. In addition, you can customize your Gin, Vodka, Whiskey, and Liqueurs boxes as well with the assortment of brands you select in your choice liquor. Gin, vodka, liqueurs boxes are all $39.99. Whiskey and fully customizable variety boxes are $49.99. Monthly memberships come in one, three, six-month, or year memberships.

Cocktail Box of the Month: Rotates monthly and kicks off with the Old Fashioned Cocktail Box including extracts/syrups, measuring spoon, sugar cubes, garnishes, recipe card and 4 Whiskey Minis of Balcones Texas Rye 50 ml (50% ABV, 100 Proof)

“At Shots Box, we listen to our craft community and the demand for customizable boxes has been a goal of ours from the start,” said J.C. Stock, CEO and co-founder of Shots Box. “We are thrilled to now be able to offer this feature to our customers. We are also excited about our monthly featured cocktail boxes which offer our customers a complete cocktail kit curated by our team of mixologists.”

The powers that be like to say that Shots Box allows people the ability to “take the guesswork out of choosing a new drink to enjoy.”

While I have to give props to Shots Box for its Old Fashioned cocktail kit, which includes sugar, bitters, a spoon and drink recipe, my biggest problem with the sample box is that while it offers a wide selection of spirits, it doesn’t include the cocktail add-ons such a liqueurs or juices necessary required to make the drink. Some cocktails also need Aperol or egg white or raspberry jam or lemon juice or watermelon juice, which aren’t included. With the kit I had, I mostly drank different booze neat or just mixed with a single ingredient like soda or juice or ginger beer.  That, I believe, defeats the purpose of the sample box.

The good thing about the program is that it prevents consumers from paying top-shelf prices for full bottles of liquor that they may not have a palate for. With Shots Box, consumers have the opportunity to taste unique spirits first and then can purchase a full-sized bottle from the Shots Box website or retail store, allowing them to affordably discover their drink of choice.  

Members also receive reduced shipping, special promotional offers and access to Shots Box Meetup Events in their area and online. Shots Box not only helps consumers discover new brands but also offers local distilleries, who may not have wide distribution or marketing, the opportunity to reach a wider audience.

Story By: Jose Martinez

Photography Courtesy Of: Shots Box