Ingredients
- 15 ml Jagermeister bottom layer
- 15 ml Goldschlager middle layer
- 15 ml Rumple Minze peppermint schnapps top layer
Instructions
- Pour the Jagermeister into a chilled shot glass.
- Slowly float the Goldschlager over the back of a bar spoon.
- Float the Rumple Minze on top the same way.
- Serve immediately. Down in one shot.
- Alternative: shake all three with ice and strain for a non-layered version.
Notes
Where it came from
The Liquid Cocaine emerged in late-90s American bars as one of the original “high-octane party shots”, combining three of the most distinctive shooter liqueurs of the era. There is no single inventor; it was the kind of drink that showed up everywhere at once.
Several variations exist (some swap in 151 rum, some add Bacardi 151 or Wild Turkey) but the German trio of Jager, Goldschlager and Rumple Minze is the canonical version.
Why three liqueurs
Each one delivers a different sensation. Jagermeister is bitter and herbal. Goldschlager is hot cinnamon with real gold leaf flakes that you swallow with the shot. Rumple Minze is 100-proof icy peppermint that hits like menthol toothpaste. Together they cover the full range from bitter to sweet to cooling, all in one swallow.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
The Jagermeister
- Use
- Standard Jagermeister, chilled
- Why
- Provides the bitter herbal backbone that holds the other two together
The Goldschlager
- Use
- Original Goldschlager (the cinnamon schnapps with real gold leaf flakes)
- Try
- Hot Damn or Fireball as cheaper but cinnamon-only alternatives
- Skip
- Anything without the gold, the visual is half the drink
The Rumple Minze
- Use
- Rumple Minze 100-proof peppermint schnapps
- Try
- Peppermint schnapps (50-proof, milder)
- Why
- The 100-proof Rumple is what makes the cooling hit so intense. Milder schnapps softens the drink
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Any herbal bitter liqueur (Fernet, Underberg, Becherovka).
Fireball or any cinnamon whisky. The gold flakes are missing but the spice carries.
Any peppermint schnapps. Lower-proof versions soften the drink.
Add a 7ml float of overproof rum (Bacardi 151) on top. Some bars call this “Liquid Cocaine 8”.
Swap Jager for Kahlua. Loses the herbal note, gains coffee sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Liquid Cocaine shot?
Equal parts Jagermeister, Goldschlager (cinnamon schnapps with gold flakes) and Rumple Minze (peppermint schnapps). Standard build is 15ml of each, layered or shaken into a shot glass.
Why is it called Liquid Cocaine?
The drink hits hard and fast: high-proof, intensely flavoured, and a strong rush from the cinnamon, mint and herbal liqueurs all at once. The name is American bar slang from the late 1990s. There is no actual cocaine in it.
Is there gold in a Liquid Cocaine?
Yes. Goldschlager contains real edible gold leaf flakes (around 10mg of 24-karat gold per litre). They are harmless to swallow and pass through the body. The flakes are the visual signature of the drink.
How strong is a Liquid Cocaine shot?
Around 40 to 45 percent ABV. Goldschlager is 40 percent ABV, Rumple Minze is 50 percent ABV, Jagermeister is 35 percent. Mixed equal parts the result is a strong shot.
Can I shake it instead of layering?
Yes. Many bars shake all three with ice and strain into a chilled shot glass. The flavours blend into a single hit instead of layering on the tongue. Layered looks better; shaken is faster.
What does Liquid Cocaine taste like?
Bitter herbal upfront from the Jager, then hot cinnamon and a touch of metallic sweetness from the Goldschlager, finishing with a freezing peppermint blast from the Rumple Minze. Like swallowing Christmas in three different flavours.
Is the drink dangerous?
It is high-proof and easy to drink because the flavours mask the alcohol. Treat it like any other strong shot: pace yourself, drink water and know your limits. The name is meant to be funny, not a dare.
What food goes with a Liquid Cocaine?
Heavy bar food. Burgers, pizza, German sausages. The drink is a digestif as much as a party shot, so it works after dinner too.
