Ingredients
- 1 - 1 1/2 oz Herbal Liqueur
- 1 - 1 1/2 oz Cinnamon Schnapps
Instructions
Mix the Ingredients:
- In a shaker, pour equal parts herbal liqueur and cinnamon schnapps.
Shake and Serve:
- Mix the ingredients well, then serve in a shot glass.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy the bold, spicy flavours!
Notes
Where it came from
No one's quite sure who first slammed these two liqueurs together and gave it such a provocative name. It's the kind of drink that probably started in a dive bar on a slow Tuesday night, born from a bartender's bored experimentation or a customer's dare. It definitely isn't showing up in any old cocktail tomes.
This isn't a cocktail in the classic sense, more of a potent shot. It belongs to the family of high-proof, two-ingredient concoctions designed for speed and impact, similar to a Jäger Bomb without the fizz. Its simplicity is its defining characteristic, a no-frills hit of flavor and alcohol.
You'd find this one on a late-night bar crawl, at a house party where the good liquor has run out, or as a closer when you're already past caring about delicate flavors. It's a shot for when the night is winding down, or cranking up, depending on your perspective and tolerance.
The name itself is a relic of a less sensitive time in bar culture, common in some circles but definitely not one for every occasion. It's a moniker you'll hear in certain pubs, but it's not exactly printed on menus.
What it tastes like
This shot is a battle between the complex, often bitter and sweet notes of an herbal liqueur and the aggressive, spicy heat of cinnamon schnapps. You get a blast of medicinal herbs upfront, quickly followed by a fiery, almost candy-like cinnamon burn that lingers. It's bold, not delicate, and leaves a warm trail.
With equal parts high-proof liqueurs, this isn't playing around. Assuming an herbal liqueur around 35% ABV and cinnamon schnapps closer to 43.5% ABV, a 2.5 oz shot averages out to roughly 39% ABV. That's about 80 proof, meaning one of these little guys packs the punch of a few standard beers. Treat it with respect, not like a soft drink.
The technique
Building a Screaming Nazi is as straightforward as it gets. You're pouring equal parts into a shaker. Give it a good, hard shake with ice until it's properly chilled, then strain it directly into a shot glass. The goal here is cold and fast, so don't dawdle once it's mixed.
The most important technique for this shot is to get it seriously cold. Those strong flavors benefit from a deep chill that mellows the burn just enough to make it palatable. Don't just give it a lazy stir; really go for it in the shaker. Temperature is key to making this drink go down smoothly.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Herbal Liqueur
- Use
- Jägermeister for its distinctive bitter-sweet profile, or similar European herbal digestifs. Any dark, complex herbal liqueur will do the trick.
- Skip
- Light, floral liqueurs like elderflower or anything too sweet and syrupy. You need that robust, almost medicinal backbone.
- Why
- It provides the deep, earthy base and the complex, slightly bitter counterpoint to the cinnamon's sweetness and spice. It's half the personality of this drink.
Cinnamon Schnapps
- Use
- Goldschläger for its strong cinnamon kick and visual flair with the gold flakes, or Fireball for a more pronounced spicy burn. Any clear, potent cinnamon schnapps works.
- Skip
- Cinnamon whiskey that's too mild or overly sweet. You need the pure, unadulterated spice and heat that schnapps provides.
- Why
- This is where the 'scream' comes from. The cinnamon delivers the fiery, warming sensation that defines the shot's immediate impact and helps cut through the herbal liqueur's density.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Icy Nazi
- Extra cold, extra smooth
- After shaking, strain into a shot glass that's been chilling in the freezer. The colder it is, the more the flavors meld and the less harsh the initial hit.
Creamy Nazi
- For a softer landing
- Add 1/2 oz of Irish cream liqueur or a dairy-based cream liqueur to the shaker. It softens the edges and adds a dessert-like quality, turning a punch into a velvet glove.
Spiced Nazi
- Turn up the heat
- Introduce a small dash of a chili liqueur or a drop of a high-quality hot sauce to the shaker. This amplifies the existing spice, taking the 'scream' to another level of intensity.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Try a strong, dark amaro like Fernet-Branca for a similar bitter profile, though it will be less sweet.
Use a cinnamon-flavored whiskey or infuse some vodka with cinnamon sticks and a touch of simple syrup.
Stir the ingredients vigorously with ice in a mixing glass or even directly in the shot glass if you're in a hurry. Just make sure it gets cold.
A small cordial glass or even a tiny rocks glass will work. The idea is a quick, concentrated serving, not a long drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Screaming Nazi?
A Screaming Nazi is a two-ingredient shot made with equal parts herbal liqueur and cinnamon schnapps.
What does a Screaming Nazi taste like?
It delivers a bold, spicy, and herbal flavor. You get the complex, often bitter-sweet notes of the herbal liqueur upfront, followed by a strong, warming cinnamon kick.
Is the Screaming Nazi a strong drink?
Yes, absolutely. Both ingredients are high-proof liqueurs, making this a potent shot. It's designed for a quick, intense hit of alcohol and flavor.
How should I serve a Screaming Nazi?
Serve it well-chilled, as a shot. The cold temperature helps to smooth out the intense flavors and makes it more palatable.
Can I make a Screaming Nazi into a longer drink?
You could, by adding a mixer like ginger ale or cola, but it would significantly change its character. It's typically consumed as a quick shot.
Are there similar shots to a Screaming Nazi?
Yes, any two-ingredient shot with strong, contrasting flavors, like a Jäger Bomb (though that includes an energy drink) or a mix of different flavored schnapps, falls into a similar category.
Where did the name 'Screaming Nazi' come from?
The exact origin is murky, but it's a controversial name that emerged in certain bar cultures to describe this specific combination of liqueurs. It's not a name you'll find on many formal cocktail menus.
Should I shake or stir a Screaming Nazi?
Shaking with ice is the way to go. It thoroughly chills and combines the liqueurs much faster and more effectively than stirring, which is crucial for a shot of this intensity.
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