Mountain Dew

This Mountain Dew is a classic bomb shot, perfect for dive bars, party nights, or when you need a quick, no-fuss drink. It combines a light beer and lemon-lime soda with a shot of vibrant melon liqueur dropped right in. It is a sweet, fizzy, and surprisingly approachable drink, often ordered by those looking for something fun and visually distinct without venturing into complex cocktails. It is a crowd-pleaser for casual settings.

Mountain Dew

4.75 from 16 votes

Calories: 94kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 0.5 Glass(s) Draft Beer
▢ 0.5 Gallon(s) Lemonade
▢ 1 oz Melon Liqueur

Instructions

▢
Fill a beer glass half-way with beer. Fill the other half with 7-up. (If you have the patience. pour a little of one. then a little of the other. until the glass is full.) Fill a shot glass with melon liqueur. Drop the entire shot glass into the glass

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 94kcal (5%)Carbohydrates: 12g (4%)Sugar: 12g (13%)

Where it came from

The bomb shot genre, which the Mountain Dew belongs to, largely emerged from casual bar scenes in the late 20th century. Drinks like the Jager Bomb and Irish Car Bomb paved the way, focusing on quick consumption and a dramatic presentation. This particular combination of beer, lemon-lime soda, and melon liqueur likely developed in college towns or high-volume bars, where speed and a playful aesthetic were prioritized over intricate mixology.

This drink sits squarely in the “bomb shot” family. Its closest relatives include the Jager Bomb, which uses Jagermeister and energy drink, or the Sake Bomb, which involves sake dropped into beer. What sets the Mountain Dew apart is its specific flavor profile, leaning into sweet melon notes and the lighter, fizzier base provided by beer and lemon-lime soda, distinguishing it from the often more intense or herbal flavors of its kin.

You would typically find or serve a Mountain Dew in a lively, unpretentious environment. Think a busy college bar, a neighborhood pub on a Friday night, or a backyard barbecue where the goal is good times and easy drinks. It is not a cocktail you order in a quiet speakeasy or a high-end lounge; it is for when the music is loud and the vibe is relaxed.

What it tastes like

The Mountain Dew offers a distinctly sweet and fruity flavor profile upfront, dominated by the bright, artificial melon liqueur. This quickly builds with the crisp, fizzy notes of the lemon-lime soda and the subtle malty background of the beer. The finish is clean and refreshing, with the melon sweetness lingering briefly, balanced by the carbonation and a hint of the beer’s bitterness. It is a vibrant, easy-drinking concoction.

Regarding its potency, this drink is surprisingly mild for a “bomb” style shot. Using a typical 5% ABV light beer and 1 oz of 21% ABV melon liqueur in a 16 oz glass (8 oz beer, 8 oz soda), the total alcohol content hovers around 4% ABV. This puts it on par with a standard light beer, making it considerably less potent than many spirit-forward cocktails, which often range from 18-25% ABV or higher. It is a sessionable option.

The technique

To build a Mountain Dew, grab a standard beer glass. Fill it halfway with your chosen draft beer, then top it off with lemon-lime soda until the glass is full. In a separate shot glass, measure out 1 ounce of melon liqueur. The final step is to carefully drop the entire shot glass, liqueur and all, into the beer glass. This creates the signature “bomb” effect and initiates the mixing.

The most important technique for this drink is the drop itself. Ensure the shot glass is fully submerged and released quickly to create a splash and rapid mixing of the liqueur into the beer and soda. If you simply pour the liqueur, you lose the theatrical element and the immediate, thorough integration of flavors that defines a bomb shot. The visual and kinetic impact is part of the experience.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Melon Liqueur

Use: Midori is the classic choice, offering a bright green color and sweet, artificial melon flavor. Bols Melon is another reliable option. Aim for a liqueur that is vibrant and distinctly melon flavored.
Skip: Avoid anything labeled ‘honeydew schnapps’ unless you want a drier, less vibrant profile. Do not substitute with other fruit liqueurs like apple or peach, as it will fundamentally change the drink’s signature flavor and color.
Why: Melon liqueur is the load-bearing ingredient here, providing the drink’s namesake color and its primary sweet, fruity flavor. Without it, you just have a beer and soda mix, lacking the ‘Mountain Dew’ character.

Draft Beer

Use: A light lager or pilsner works best. Think Bud Light, Miller Lite, or a similar crisp, neutral-flavored beer. The goal is a clean, bubbly base that does not overpower the melon or soda.
Skip: Do not use IPAs, stouts, porters, or sour beers. Their strong hop bitterness, roast notes, or tartness will clash terribly with the sweet melon liqueur and lemon-lime soda, creating an unpleasant flavor profile.
Why: The beer provides the carbonated volume and a subtle malty foundation. It gives the drink body and a slight alcoholic kick without dominating the vibrant melon and lemon-lime flavors, ensuring it remains refreshing.

Three Variations

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

Actual Mountain Dew Bomb

The soda that started it all: For a less alcoholic version that truly leans into the name, swap the lemon-lime soda for actual Mountain Dew soft drink. Keep the light beer and melon liqueur for the bomb effect.

Melon Bomb

A different base for the melon: Experiment with different light beers or even a hard cider as the base. You can also try swapping the lemon-lime soda for ginger ale for a spicier, less sweet alternative, keeping the melon liqueur as the star.

Green Tea Shot

A common bomb shot cousin: While not a Mountain Dew, the Green Tea Shot uses Jameson Irish Whiskey, peach schnapps, and sour mix, often served as a bomb into an energy drink. It offers a similar party vibe with a different flavor profile.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Melon Liqueur?

Peach schnapps can provide a similar sweetness and fruitiness, though the flavor profile will shift from melon to peach. Green apple schnapps is another option for a tart, fruity alternative.

No Draft Beer?

Any light lager or pilsner from a bottle or can will work just fine. Just make sure it is well chilled and not too hoppy or dark.

No 7-up or Lemonade?

Sprite, Sierra Mist, or any other clear lemon-lime soda will perform identically. For a slightly different twist, ginger ale can be used, adding a spicier note.

No Shot Glass?

You can carefully pour the melon liqueur directly into the beer glass. However, you will lose the dramatic ‘bomb’ effect and the immediate, thorough mixing that comes with dropping the shot glass.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

What is in a Mountain Dew?

A Mountain Dew cocktail typically contains light draft beer, lemon-lime soda, and a shot of melon liqueur.

Is a Mountain Dew a bomb shot?

Yes, the Mountain Dew is a classic bomb shot, where a shot glass containing the liqueur is dropped into a larger glass of mixed beer and soda.

Why is it called a Mountain Dew?

The drink gets its name from its vibrant green color, which is reminiscent of the popular Mountain Dew soft drink, and its sweet, fruity flavor profile.

What does a Mountain Dew taste like?

It tastes sweet and fruity from the melon liqueur, fizzy and citrusy from the lemon-lime soda, with a light, crisp beer background. It is generally refreshing and easy to drink.

Is it strong?

No, a Mountain Dew is relatively mild. Its ABV is usually around 4%, comparable to a light beer, making it less potent than most spirit-forward cocktails.

Can I use actual Mountain Dew soda?

Yes, you can substitute the lemon-lime soda with actual Mountain Dew soft drink for an even more on-the-nose flavor and color, though it will be very sweet.

What kind of beer works best?

A light lager or pilsner is ideal. You want a neutral, crisp beer that will not overpower the sweet melon and citrus flavors.

Is it green?

Yes, thanks to the melon liqueur, a properly made Mountain Dew cocktail will have a distinct, bright green color.

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