Ingredients
- .33 oz Canadian Whisky
- .33 oz Butterscotch Schnapps
- .33 oz Coconut Rum
- 1 Can Energy Soda
Instructions
Pour the Liquor:
- Pour 0.33 oz Canadian whisky, 0.33 oz butterscotch schnapps, and 0.33 oz coconut rum into a shot glass.
Prepare the Energy Drink:
- Fill a Collins glass halfway with Red Bull (or enough to cover the shot glass once dropped in).
Drop and Drink:
- Drop the shot glass into the Red Bull and drink it down immediately!
Video
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
Bomb shots are a relatively modern phenomenon, gaining traction with the rise of energy drinks in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. While a specific inventor for the Vegas Bomb #2 is unknown, it likely emerged from the same party culture as its predecessors, in American college towns or high-energy nightlife destinations. The “Vegas” in the name points to its intended environment: a place where inhibitions are low and the drinks are flowing.
This drink belongs to the “bomb shot” family, a category defined by dropping a shot glass of liquor into a larger glass of mixer. Its closest relatives are the Jager Bomb or the Sake Bomb. What separates the Vegas Bomb #2 is its specific blend of Canadian whisky, butterscotch schnapps, and coconut rum, offering a smoother, sweeter, and more tropical profile compared to the herbal Jager or the dry sake.
You’d find the Vegas Bomb #2 on offer at a busy dive bar, a college-town pub, or a nightclub. It’s a staple at house parties and anywhere people are looking for a quick, unpretentious shot to get the night going. Don’t expect to see it on a craft cocktail menu; this drink is all about fun, not finesse.
What it tastes like
On the front, you get an immediate hit of sweet butterscotch, quickly followed by the tropical notes of coconut rum. The Canadian whisky provides a smooth, warming backbone in the middle, preventing the sweetness from becoming cloying. The finish is a rush of artificial sweetness from the energy drink, with a lingering warmth from the spirits and the characteristic buzz of Red Bull.
The liquor component of the Vegas Bomb #2 contains about 0.25 ounces of pure alcohol. This means the shot itself is roughly 25 percent alcohol by volume. When dropped into a can of energy drink, the overall ABV of the final beverage is significantly diluted, making it less potent than a standard cocktail or even a strong beer by volume. However, the combination of spirits and a caffeinated mixer often creates a perception of higher impact.
The technique
Building this shot is straightforward. First, measure your Canadian whisky, butterscotch schnapps, and coconut rum directly into a standard shot glass. Next, fill a Collins glass, or a similar sturdy glass, about halfway with your chosen energy drink. The key is to have enough liquid to fully submerge the shot glass once it’s dropped. The final step is the most crucial: drop the shot glass into the energy drink and drink it down immediately.
The most important technique for a bomb shot is the immediate consumption. This isn’t a drink to sip or savor. The point is to get the combined effect of the spirits and the energy drink all at once. If you let it sit, the carbonation will dissipate, the liquids will fully integrate, and you’ll end up with a flat, overly sweet, and less impactful mixed drink instead of the intended quick kick.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Canadian Whisky
- Use
- Any standard, smooth Canadian whisky works well here, like Crown Royal, Canadian Club, or Seagram’s VO. Their mellow character provides a good base without overpowering the other flavors.
- Skip
- Avoid heavily peated Scotch or high-rye American whiskeys. Their strong, distinctive flavors will clash with the sweet and tropical notes of the other ingredients.
- Why
- Canadian whisky provides the necessary alcoholic backbone and a smooth, approachable warmth that anchors the shot without adding harsh edges to the sweet profile.
Butterscotch Schnapps
- Use
- Brands like DeKuyper, Bols, or Hiram Walker offer reliable butterscotch schnapps that deliver the signature sweet, buttery flavor. Consistency is more important than craft in this application.
- Skip
- While similar, caramel liqueur isn’t a direct substitute. It lacks the specific creamy, buttery depth that defines butterscotch and contributes to the #2 distinction.
- Why
- Butterscotch schnapps is the defining ingredient for the Vegas Bomb #2, providing its unique sweet and dessert-like twist that differentiates it from other bomb shots.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Vegas Bomb
- The original party starter
- The classic Vegas Bomb typically uses peach schnapps or sometimes cranberry juice instead of butterscotch schnapps, alongside the Canadian whisky and coconut rum.
Jager Bomb
- Herbal kick meets energy
- This popular bomb shot features a shot of Jagermeister dropped into an energy drink, offering a distinct herbal and slightly bitter profile compared to the sweeter Vegas Bomb #2.
Sake Bomb
- Beer and rice wine fusion
- A Sake Bomb involves dropping a shot of sake into a glass of beer, often with a theatrical bang on the table, creating a different kind of buzz and flavor profile.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
A smooth bourbon or Irish whiskey can work in a pinch, though it will alter the overall profile slightly.
Caramel schnapps is the closest, but it won’t have the exact same creamy, buttery note.
Use regular white rum and add a small dash of coconut syrup or a coconut liqueur like Malibu if available.
Any sturdy tall glass, like a pint glass or a highball, will do. Just ensure it’s wide enough to accommodate the shot glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Vegas Bomb #2?
A Vegas Bomb #2 contains Canadian whisky, butterscotch schnapps, coconut rum, and an energy drink, typically Red Bull.
What’s the difference between a Vegas Bomb and a Vegas Bomb #2?
The primary difference is the schnapps. The original Vegas Bomb often uses peach schnapps, while the #2 version specifically calls for butterscotch schnapps, giving it a distinct sweet and buttery flavor.
How strong is a Vegas Bomb #2?
The liquor in the shot is about 25 percent ABV. When dropped into a full can of energy drink, the overall alcohol content of the final beverage is significantly diluted, making it milder than a standard cocktail by volume.
What kind of rum is best for a Vegas Bomb #2?
Coconut rum is essential for the tropical notes in a Vegas Bomb #2. Brands like Malibu or Bacardi Coconut are common choices.
Can I use a different energy drink?
Absolutely. While Red Bull is traditional, any similar energy drink like Monster, Rockstar, or a store-brand equivalent will work just fine.
Why is it called a “bomb” shot?
It’s called a “bomb” shot because a smaller glass containing spirits is dropped or “bombed” into a larger glass containing a mixer, often with a quick, dramatic splash.
Is the Vegas Bomb #2 meant to be sipped?
No, the Vegas Bomb #2 is designed to be drunk quickly, immediately after dropping the shot. Sipping it allows the carbonation to go flat and the flavors to fully meld, which isn’t the intended experience.
What’s the best way to make it?
Pour the three liquors into a shot glass, fill a taller glass halfway with energy drink, then drop the shot glass into the energy drink and drink it down immediately for the full effect.
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