Vegas Bomb

The Vegas Bomb is a popular party-starting shot known for its sweet, fruity flavor and energetic kick from the caffeinated mixer. It's constructed in two parts: a shot glass containing Canadian whisky, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice, and a larger glass partially filled with an energy drink. The ritual of dropping the shot into the glass and consuming it quickly is a key part of its appeal in nightlife culture.
Vegas Bomb

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Vegas Bomb is classified as a modern shot, specifically a "bomb shot" or "depth charge". This category involves dropping a shot glass of spirits into a larger glass of a non-alcoholic mixer. It's a contemporary creation popular in high-energy social settings.

Serving

The Vegas Bomb is a cold, fairly large-volume shot served by dropping a shot glass into a pint or large rocks glass. It has a moderate alcohol content for a single beverage, but is consumed all at once.
Serving size
Approximately 165 ml / 5.5 oz (45 ml shot + 120 ml mixer)
Alcohol content
Approximately 10-15% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Pint Glass
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

The exact origin of the Vegas Bomb is murky, but it is widely believed to have emerged in the United States during the early 2000s with the rise in popularity of energy drinks as mixers. Its name is a nod to the high-energy, fast-paced party atmosphere of Las Vegas. The use of Crown Royal whisky, a popular spirit, helped cement its status as a go-to celebration shot.
Origin
United States, circa early 2000s.

Vegas Bomb

The drink is almost universally known as the Vegas Bomb. It is sometimes called a Crown Bomb, which refers to the traditional use of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky as its base spirit.
Original name
Vegas Bomb
Alternative name
Crown Bomb

Characteristics overview

The drink has a predominantly sweet and fruity flavor profile with a tart kick, balanced by the unique taste of the energy drink. Its fizzy texture and vibrant color make it an energetic, year-round party favorite.
Flavor
Sweet, Fruity, Tart, Malty, Tangy
Aroma
Peach, Cranberry, Sweet, Chemical (from energy drink)
Taste balance
Sweet, Sour
Aftertaste
Lingering sweetness, Energy drink flavor
Fizziness
Bubbly, Effervescent
Color appearance
Amber, Golden, Pinkish-red shot
Texture
Fizzy, Thin, Liquid
Seasonality
Energetic, Year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor intensity is high, driven by strong sweetness, fruitiness, and carbonation. The alcohol strength is noticeable but masked by the other potent flavors, making it easy to consume quickly.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You'll need four key ingredients: Canadian whisky (traditionally Crown Royal), peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and a chilled energy drink. The first three components form the shot, while the energy drink serves as the mixer.
  • Canadian Whisky15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Crown Royal is the traditional and most common choice.
  • Peach Schnapps15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Provides the primary sweet and fruity flavor.
  • Cranberry Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Adds a splash of color and tartness to balance the sweetness.
  • Energy Drink120 ml / 4 oz
    Red Bull is the classic choice, but any brand will work.

Ice type

  • None

Mixing equipments

Preparation requires minimal equipment: a jigger for accurate pours, a standard shot glass, and a larger pint or rocks glass to serve the final drink in.
  • Jigger for measuring
  • Shot Glass for the spirits
  • Pint Glass for the mixer

Instructions

The process is simple: fill a pint glass with the energy drink, then fill a shot glass with the whisky, schnapps, and juice. The shot is then dropped into the larger glass and chugged immediately.
1. Pour about half a can (4 oz / 120 ml) of a chilled energy drink into a pint glass.
2. In a separate shot glass, combine the Canadian whisky, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice.
3. Serve the two glasses to the drinker, who then drops the shot glass into the pint glass.
4. Consume the entire mixture immediately and responsibly.

Garnishing

The Vegas Bomb is a functional party shot that is served without any garnish. The spectacle of dropping the shot is the main presentation.
  • None

Dietary Information

This drink contains both alcohol and caffeine. It is typically dairy, egg, soy, and nut free. Its gluten-free and vegan status depends on the specific brands of whisky and schnapps used, so checking labels is advised.
✓ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This drink is moderately caloric but very high in carbohydrates and sugar, primarily from the energy drink and peach schnapps. It is not recommended for those monitoring their sugar intake.
Calories
Approximately 180 kcal / 753 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 25 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 24 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is tailor-made for high-energy social gatherings like parties, nights out at bars or clubs, and celebrations such as bachelor or bachelorette parties. It is not considered an aperitif or a casual sipping drink. It's a social ritual meant to be shared and consumed quickly.
  • Party
  • Night out
  • Celebration

Pairing suggestions

The Vegas Bomb is not a drink typically paired with a meal. It is best suited for a party environment and might be consumed alongside common party snacks or late-night food. Its strong, sweet flavor profile means it's usually enjoyed on its own as part of the social activity.
  • Party snacks
  • Late-night food (e.g., pizza, tacos)

The Vegas Bomb: A High-Energy Party Starter

The Vegas Bomb is a quintessential modern party shot, famous for its energetic effect and sweet, fruity taste. It involves a theatrical drop of a mixed shot (whisky, peach schnapps, cranberry) into a glass of energy drink, meant for immediate consumption. While not a sophisticated cocktail, its role as a social catalyst in bars and parties is undeniable. It perfectly captures a spirit of uninhibited fun, much like its namesake city.

Similar shots

Jägerbomb

A simpler bomb shot consisting of only Jägermeister liqueur dropped into an energy drink.

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