Ingredients
- .75 oz Almond Liqueur
- OP Rum
- 0.5 Glass(s) Bitter Beer
Instructions
Fill the Shot Glass:
- Fill a shot glass about 3/4 full with almond liqueur (amaretto), then top it off with enough OP rum to make it burn.
Set Up the Beer:
- Place the shot glass inside another glass, and fill the larger glass with beer until the level of the beer reaches the top of the shot glass.
Ignite the Rum:
- Carefully light the rum in the shot glass using a lighter. Let the flame burn for a moment.
Extinguish and Serve:
- Blow out the flame, then drop the shot glass into the beer. Drink it all down in one go!
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
No one's quite sure who put together the first Flaming Dr. Pepper, but it's a safe bet it wasn't a master mixologist in a quiet speakeasy. This drink emerged from the late-night, high-energy bar scene, likely sometime in the 80s or 90s, when spectacle was as important as taste.
This sits squarely in the 'bomb shot' family, a rowdy cousin to the Jägerbomb or the Irish Car Bomb. What sets the Flaming Dr. Pepper 2 apart is the specific flavor alchemy of almond liqueur and beer mimicking a popular soda, topped off with a literal fire show.
You'll find this one in college towns, dive bars, or anywhere people are looking for a good time without a lot of fuss. It's a party starter, a dare, or just a fun way to end a night. Don't expect to see it on a craft cocktail menu, and that's exactly the point.
What it tastes like
The flavor profile here is all about the illusion. Almond liqueur, specifically amaretto, provides the sweet, cherry-almond notes that, when combined with beer, somehow trick your brain into tasting Dr. Pepper. Add the slightly burnt sugar aroma from the flaming rum, and it's a surprisingly convincing imitation.
The shot itself is a potent mix of high-proof rum and a sweet liqueur. Once it hits the beer, the ABV mellows out a bit, but don't be fooled. You're still drinking a significant amount of alcohol quickly. Think of it as a strong, sweet beer with a kick, probably equivalent to two or three standard beers in one go.
The technique
Building this is straightforward: get your shot glass mostly full with almond liqueur, then float enough overproof rum on top to catch a flame. Place that inside a larger glass, then carefully fill the larger glass with beer until it reaches the shot glass brim. Light the rum, let it burn for a moment, then blow it out, drop the shot, and drink it down.
The most important technique tip is simply to be careful with the flame. Use a long lighter, don't let it burn too long, and for the love of all that is holy, blow it out before you drop the shot. No one wants a flaming mouth, or a flaming bar for that matter.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Almond Liqueur
- Use
- Standard amaretto brands like Disaronno or Lazzaroni work perfectly. The specific almond and stone fruit notes are key.
- Skip
- Almond extract or a non-alcoholic almond syrup. You need the booze and the specific sweetness profile of a liqueur for the Dr. Pepper mimicry.
- Why
- This is the backbone of the Dr. Pepper illusion. Without it, you just have flaming rum in beer, which isn't nearly as fun or tasty.
OP Rum
- Use
- Any overproof rum (typically 151 proof or 75.5% ABV) will do the trick. Bacardi 151 was the classic, but others are available.
- Skip
- Standard 80-proof rum. It won't light, and then you just look silly holding a lighter over your drink. The flame is half the point.
- Why
- The 'flaming' part of the name needs a spirit that can actually ignite. Overproof rum provides the necessary alcohol content for that theatrical effect.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
No-Flame Dr. Pepper
- Same taste, less drama
- If you want the flavor without the fire, just mix amaretto, a splash of dark rum, and top with cola. No beer needed, just a long drink.
Root Beer Barrel
- Another soda-mimicking bomb
- This one swaps the almond liqueur for root beer schnapps, dropped into beer. It's a similar bomb shot concept, going for a different soda profile.
Cherry Bomb
- Fruity and energetic
- A shot of cherry liqueur or cherry vodka dropped into Red Bull. It's a different flavor but shares the same 'shot into a mixer' bomb experience.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Try a cherry liqueur or even a hazelnut liqueur like Frangelico if you're feeling adventurous, but the Dr. Pepper taste will change significantly.
High-proof grain alcohol (like Everclear) can work for the flame, but it won't add the subtle rum notes. High-proof vodka is another option.
A light lager or a pilsner will work fine. You want something that won't overpower the almond liqueur too much.
A small, heat-proof ceramic ramekin or even a sturdy espresso cup can serve as a temporary vessel for the flaming shot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Flaming Dr. Pepper 2?
It's a shot of almond liqueur and overproof rum, dropped into a glass of bitter beer, giving it a taste similar to the soda.
Why is it called Flaming Dr. Pepper?
The combination of almond liqueur and beer, especially after the rum has been flamed, creates a flavor surprisingly reminiscent of Dr. Pepper soda. The 'flaming' part is for the show.
How do you light the rum?
Carefully float a small amount of overproof rum on top of the almond liqueur in the shot glass, then use a long lighter to ignite the rum's surface.
What kind of rum do you use for a Flaming Dr. Pepper?
You need an overproof rum, typically 151 proof (75.5% ABV) or higher. Standard 80-proof rum will not light.
Is the Flaming Dr. Pepper dangerous?
Any drink involving fire carries a risk. Be extremely careful not to spill flaming alcohol, and always blow out the flame before consuming the drink.
Do I drink it while it's still flaming?
Absolutely not. Always blow out the flame completely before dropping the shot into the beer and drinking. Fire and your mouth do not mix well.
What does a Flaming Dr. Pepper taste like?
It tastes sweet, with strong almond and cherry notes from the liqueur, a hint of burnt sugar from the rum, all mellowed and carbonated by the beer. It genuinely mimics the flavor of Dr. Pepper soda.
Can I make a Flaming Dr. Pepper without the flame?
Yes, you can. Just mix the almond liqueur, a splash of dark rum, and the beer together in a glass. You'll get the flavor, just without the spectacle.
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