Ingredients
- .33 oz Gold Tequila
- .33 oz Watermelon Schnapps or
- Raspberry Schnapps
- .33 oz Energy Soda
Instructions
Mix Ingredients:
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 0.33 oz gold tequila, 0.33 oz watermelon schnapps (or raspberry schnapps), and 0.33 oz energy soda.
Shake Gently:
- Shake gently to avoid excessive bubbling from the energy soda. Alternatively, you can add the energy soda after shaking.
Strain and Serve:
- Strain the mixture into a shot glass.
Enjoy:
- Serve immediately and enjoy your sweet and tangy Johnny Vegas Shot.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
This shot doesn’t have a deep, storied history or a famous bartender tied to its creation. It’s a modern party shot, likely born in a busy bar or at a house party sometime in the late 20th or early 21st century. It’s the kind of drink that spreads by word of mouth, a go-to for a quick, sweet buzz, and you’ll find it on shot menus in casual spots across the US.
The Johnny Vegas Shot sits squarely in the ‘sweet party shot’ category, much like a Washington Apple Shot or a Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shot. What separates it is the tequila base and the specific fruit liqueur and energy drink combo. It’s less about showcasing the spirit and more about delivering a vibrant, sugary kick that masks the alcohol and provides a jolt.
You’d typically find this shot being slammed at a college bar, a busy nightclub, or as a pre-game ritual at a house party. It’s not something you’d see on a craft cocktail menu. It’s built for speed, volume, and a good time, making it a staple in places where the atmosphere is loud and the drinks flow freely.
What it tastes like
The Johnny Vegas Shot hits with a wave of sweet, fruity flavor right up front, thanks to the watermelon or raspberry schnapps. That initial burst is quickly followed by the distinct warmth of gold tequila, which provides a bit of a backbone without being overly dominant. The energy soda then kicks in on the finish, adding a refreshing fizziness and a lingering, sugary tang that keeps it from being cloying.
Clocking in at roughly 20% ABV, this shot packs more punch than a standard beer but is on par with many full-sized cocktails when considering its small volume. For context, a 12 oz beer at 5% ABV contains about 0.6 oz of pure alcohol. This 1 oz shot delivers about 0.2 oz of pure alcohol, so three of these will hit harder than a single beer, but you’d need a few to match the alcohol content of a typical 3-4 oz cocktail.
The technique
Building a Johnny Vegas Shot is straightforward. Grab a cocktail shaker, fill it with ice, then measure in your gold tequila, your preferred schnapps, and the energy soda. The key here is to shake it gently. Give it just a few short, soft shakes to combine the ingredients without blowing the top off the shaker or losing all the soda’s fizz. Once mixed, strain it into a shot glass and send it out.
The one technique tip that matters most for this shot is to shake gently, or even better, add the energy soda after a quick stir of the tequila and schnapps. Energy sodas are carbonated, and aggressive shaking will cause excessive foaming and a messy overflow. You want to keep that fizz for the drinker, not on your bar top, so handle the carbonated component with care.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Gold Tequila
- Use
- Any decent gold tequila will do the trick here. Brands like Jose Cuervo Gold or Sauza Gold are common choices. You’re not looking for a high-end añejo, just a reliable mixto that provides a solid base without breaking the bank.
- Skip
- Don’t bother with expensive blancos or aged tequilas. Their nuanced flavors will be completely lost under the schnapps and energy drink. Save those for sipping or tequila-forward cocktails.
- Why
- Gold tequila provides a foundational boozy warmth and a slight caramel note that complements the sweet fruit liqueurs. It’s the engine that drives the shot’s kick without overpowering the fun, fruity flavors.
Watermelon/Raspberry Schnapps
- Use
- For watermelon, DeKuyper Watermelon Pucker or Bols Watermelon are solid. For raspberry, try DeKuyper Razzmatazz or Bols Raspberry. These are readily available and deliver the bright, sweet fruit flavor you need.
- Skip
- Avoid anything too syrupy or artificial tasting. While this is a sweet shot, a truly cheap, poorly flavored schnapps will make it taste like candy cough syrup. Also, don’t substitute with fruit juices; you need the alcoholic kick and concentrated flavor of the liqueur.
- Why
- These schnapps are the flavor powerhouses of the shot. They deliver the vibrant, sweet, and tangy fruit notes that define the drink’s character, masking the tequila and making it dangerously drinkable.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Johnny Vegas Bomb
- Drop the shot into an energy drink for an even bigger jolt.
- Instead of mixing, pour the Johnny Vegas Shot ingredients (tequila and schnapps) into a shot glass. Then, drop that shot glass into a pint glass filled with an energy drink like Red Bull, and chug.
Tropical Vegas
- Swap the schnapps for a different fruity twist.
- Try using peach schnapps or even a coconut rum liqueur in place of the watermelon or raspberry. This gives the shot a different tropical fruit profile while keeping the sweet and easy-drinking nature intact.
Silver Vegas
- Use silver tequila for a cleaner, sharper kick.
- If you prefer a less sweet, more agave-forward base, swap the gold tequila for a blanco or silver tequila. This will make the tequila character a bit brighter and less mellow, cutting through some of the sweetness.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
A silver or blanco tequila will work in a pinch, though it might make the shot a bit sharper on the finish. Vodka could also be used for a neutral base, but you’ll lose the tequila character.
Any other sweet fruit schnapps like peach, apple, or even blue curaçao could be used to switch up the flavor profile. The core idea is a sweet, fruity liqueur.
Lemon-lime soda like Sprite or 7-Up will provide the necessary fizz and some sweetness, but you’ll miss the characteristic ‘energy drink’ flavor and stimulant kick.
You can build this directly in the shot glass. Combine the tequila and schnapps, give it a quick stir with a bar spoon, then top gently with the energy soda. It won’t be as chilled, but it works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Johnny Vegas Shot?
A Johnny Vegas Shot contains 0.33 oz gold tequila, 0.33 oz watermelon schnapps (or raspberry schnapps), and 0.33 oz energy soda.
Is the Johnny Vegas Shot sweet?
Yes, it’s definitely on the sweeter side, with the fruit schnapps and energy soda contributing a significant amount of sugar to balance the tequila.
What kind of tequila should I use?
Gold tequila is the standard, often a mixto like Jose Cuervo Gold. You don’t need top-shelf stuff for this shot; a reliable, mid-range gold tequila is perfect.
Can I make a batch of Johnny Vegas Shots?
You can pre-mix the tequila and schnapps in a pitcher. When you’re ready to serve, pour the mix into shot glasses and top each with a splash of cold energy soda to maintain the fizz.
Is the Johnny Vegas Shot strong?
At around 20% ABV, it’s a moderately strong shot. It’s more potent than many light beers but designed to go down quickly, so its effects can be felt rapidly.
Where does the name ‘Johnny Vegas’ come from?
The exact origin of the name is unknown, but it likely refers to the lively, party-centric atmosphere associated with Las Vegas, and ‘Johnny’ is a common, approachable name, suggesting a fun, no-frills drink.
What’s the difference between watermelon and raspberry schnapps in this shot?
Watermelon schnapps gives a crisp, tropical, and slightly candied fruit flavor, while raspberry schnapps offers a sweeter, tangier, and more berry-forward taste. Both work well, it’s a matter of preference.
Can I use a different soda instead of an energy drink?
You can use lemon-lime soda for the fizz and sweetness, but it won’t provide the unique flavor profile or the stimulant effects that an energy drink brings to the shot.
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