Hot `n` Frosty

The Hot `n` Frosty is a simple, no-frills bomb shot that delivers a spicy, sweet kick from cinnamon schnapps cut by the crisp bitterness of a cold beer. This is a party starter, often ordered by a crowd looking for a quick, fun drink rather than a complex sipper. It gets the job done without much fuss or pretension, a solid choice for a rowdy night out or when you need to get the party going.

Hot `n` Frosty

4.58 from 28 votes

Calories: 220kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 1 oz Cinnamon Schnapps
▢ 10 oz Bitter Beer

Instructions

▢
Fill a shot glass with cinnamon schnapps. Drop the full shot glass into a frosted mug o` beer. and serve.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 220kcal (11%)Carbohydrates: 10g (3%)Sugar: 10g (11%)

Where it came from

Like many bomb shots, the precise origin of the Hot `n` Frosty is murky, likely emerging from college towns or dive bars sometime in the late 20th century. It falls into the category of drinks designed for rapid consumption and a quick kick, rather than sophisticated sipping. It’s a casual, unpretentious concoction, popular among younger crowds or those seeking a nostalgic party vibe.

This drink is a classic ‘bomb shot,’ a category where a shot glass containing a spirit or liqueur is dropped into a larger glass of another beverage. Its relatives include the Jager Bomb, the Sake Bomb, or even a Boiler Maker, though the latter is typically a shot on the side of a beer. The Hot `n` Frosty distinguishes itself with its specific cinnamon flavor profile and the contrast of hot spice with cold beer.

You’ll typically find the Hot `n` Frosty on menus in unpretentious bars, sports bars, or college hangouts. It’s a popular choice for group celebrations, bachelor/bachelorette parties, or any setting where the goal is a fun, easy-to-drink shot that doesn’t require much thought. It’s less about a craft cocktail experience and more about the communal ritual.

What it tastes like

On the first sip, the cinnamon schnapps delivers a fiery, sweet spice that quickly disperses into the cold, carbonated beer. The bitterness of the beer then takes over, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the schnapps’ intensity. The finish is clean and crisp, with a lingering warmth from the cinnamon and the satisfying effervescence of the beer.

With 1 ounce of 60-proof cinnamon schnapps and 10 ounces of 5% ABV bitter beer, this drink clocks in around 7.3% alcohol by volume. That makes it notably stronger than a standard beer, but still on the lighter side compared to most traditional mixed cocktails which often range from 15% to 25% ABV. It’s designed for a quick, impactful hit, not a slow, contemplative session.

The technique

Building a Hot `n` Frosty is straightforward. Start by chilling your mug until it’s properly frosted. Pour the bitter beer into the frosty mug, ensuring there’s enough head room for the shot. Next, fill a standard shot glass with cinnamon schnapps. Carefully drop the full shot glass into the mug of beer. Serve it immediately while the beer is still cold and effervescent.

The most important technique for this drink is ensuring your mug is properly frosted and the beer is ice cold. A warm or flat beer will kill the experience, making the drink cloying and unrefreshing. The contrast between the cold beer and the warming schnapps is what makes this drink work, so keep everything as chilled as possible until the moment of serving.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Cinnamon Schnapps

Use: Brands like Goldschlager offer that classic cinnamon intensity. Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is also a popular choice if you prefer a whisky base with a similar spice profile and slightly higher proof. Aim for anything around 30% ABV or 60 proof for a balanced kick.
Skip: Avoid using generic sweet liqueurs or very low-proof cinnamon syrups alone. They lack the alcoholic bite and concentrated flavor needed to stand up to the beer, resulting in a diluted, overly sweet drink.
Why: The cinnamon schnapps provides the ‘hot’ in Hot `n` Frosty, delivering a potent burst of sweet spice that defines the drink’s character. Without it, you just have a beer, or a much less exciting bomb shot.

Bitter Beer

Use: A crisp, cold lager, pilsner, or a session IPA works perfectly. The bitterness provides a refreshing counterpoint to the schnapps’ sweetness, while the carbonation adds a lively texture. Think standard bar taps: Miller Lite, Budweiser, or a local craft pilsner.
Skip: Steer clear of overly sweet, heavy stouts, sour beers, or intensely fruity ales. These will clash with the cinnamon schnapps rather than complement it, resulting in a muddled and potentially unpleasant flavor profile.
Why: The bitter beer provides the ‘frosty’ and the body of the drink. Its carbonation and refreshing bitterness cut through the schnapps’ sweetness, preventing the drink from becoming cloying and ensuring a clean finish.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Fireball Frosty

Whisky kick, same spice: Swap the cinnamon schnapps for Fireball Cinnamon Whisky for a slightly higher proof and a more pronounced whisky backbone, while keeping the essential cinnamon flavor.

Peppermint Frosty

Cool, minty twist: Substitute peppermint schnapps for the cinnamon. This creates a refreshing, cooling effect that contrasts sharply with the bitter beer, perfect for a different kind of ‘frosty’ experience.

Apple Pie Bomb

Sweet and fruity: Use an apple-flavored schnapps or liqueur instead of cinnamon. This variation offers a sweeter, fruitier profile that still benefits from the beer’s carbonation and ability to cut sweetness.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Cinnamon Schnapps?

A good quality cinnamon liqueur or even a shot of vodka with a dash of cinnamon syrup can work in a pinch, though it might lack the full alcoholic punch and complexity.

No Bitter Beer?

Any standard cold lager or light pilsner will do. While it might not have the same bitter bite, the carbonation and cold temperature are still key for the drink’s structure.

No Frosted Mug?

A regular pint glass or a chilled beer mug is perfectly acceptable. The ‘frosty’ element is lost, but the drink itself functions the same way. Just make sure the glass is cold.

No Shot Glass?

A small, sturdy measuring cup can work to hold the schnapps, but be sure it’s stable enough to drop into the beer without tipping and spilling too much.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a Hot `n` Frosty?

A Hot `n` Frosty contains 1 ounce of cinnamon schnapps and 10 ounces of bitter beer. The schnapps shot is dropped into the beer just before serving.

What kind of beer works best for a Hot `n` Frosty?

A cold, crisp bitter beer like a lager, pilsner, or a session IPA works best. The bitterness helps to balance the sweetness of the cinnamon schnapps.

Can I use a different type of schnapps?

Yes, you can experiment with other schnapps flavors like peppermint, apple, or peach for different variations, though the classic uses cinnamon.

Is this a strong drink?

At about 7.3% ABV, the Hot `n` Frosty is stronger than a typical beer but generally less potent than many traditional mixed cocktails. It’s designed for a quick, flavorful kick.

Why is it called Hot `n` Frosty?

The ‘hot’ comes from the warming, spicy kick of the cinnamon schnapps, while the ‘frosty’ refers to the ice-cold, often frosted mug of beer it’s served in.

What’s a bomb shot?

A bomb shot is a type of drink where a shot glass containing a spirit or liqueur is dropped into a larger glass of another beverage, often beer or an energy drink, and then consumed quickly.

How do you drink a Hot `n` Frosty?

Once the shot glass is dropped into the beer, the drink is typically consumed quickly, as the flavors mingle and the carbonation is still fresh. It’s not meant to be slowly sipped.

Can I make a Hot `n` Frosty without alcohol?

While you can drop a shot of cinnamon syrup into a non-alcoholic beer, it won’t be a true Hot `n` Frosty. The alcoholic kick from the schnapps is a key component of the drink’s character.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read