Taking shots is almost like a double entendre - we take them to celebrate and we take them when we are feeling like shit about ourselves. For instance, a friend text me the other day and asked if I wanted to go drinking after work, and finished by saying "we'll be taking some shots, by the way." I had no clue in which meaning we would be taking shots: will we be taking shots because we are celebrating, or will this be a night of self loathing...? I have also noticed that the type of shots being taken can tell you if it is a celebratory shot or a 'I hate my life right now' shot. So, as you can see, and as I am sure you are aware yourself, taking shots has some true meaning behind it - there is no taking shots just to take shots... for the most part.
With all that said, shots are shots, and just like everything else, there are good ones and bad ones. And, here are 25 of them ranked by Esquire.
http://www.esquire.com/food-drink/drinks/a36655/the-definitive-ranking-of-shots/