Drinking technique

Hello, just looking for some quick advice or just information on why I sometimes gag when drinking a shot. I’m not exactly sure what part of my mouth needs to be touched by the alcohol to gag but when I drink I try to almost throw the shot in the back of my mouth. But at least once a night I will gulp it wrong or swallow it wrong and it creates a gag. Although I don’t throw up, for the next 2-3 minutes I’m sitting in agonizing stress holding back a throw up but then it passes. And only sometimes can I hold back that pain/need to throw up. I understand a lot may have to do with genetics but is there a technique or just something, anything that can explain or help me?