✔ Updated · rewritten safety-first: no-flame + alcohol-free options
A flaming Dr Pepper is a bar drink for adults of legal drinking age: amaretto and a thin layer of high-proof rum in a shot glass, set alight, then combined with beer. It contains no Dr Pepper at all.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: The flame adds nothing to the flavor. For the safer choice, skip the rum and the flame and just pour the amaretto into the beer.
The almond liqueur and the beer together taste surprisingly like the soda. Because it involves setting alcohol on fire, this page puts safety first: how to do it carefully, a no-flame version that tastes the same and is the safer choice, and an alcohol-free option.
Before You Make It
- Contains alcohol: amaretto (about 28% ABV), 151-proof rum (75% ABV) and beer; about one US standard drink in total.
- Adults of legal drinking age only, and never for anyone driving, pregnant or who has already been drinking heavily.
- The no-flame version is the safer choice and tastes the same; the flame is only for show.
What Is a Flaming Dr Pepper?
The flaming Dr Pepper is a party drink built from three alcoholic ingredients: amaretto, a small amount of 151-proof rum and light beer. Amaretto brings sweet almond and cherry-pit notes, and the malty fizz of the beer rounds it out into a flavor that tastes surprisingly like Dr Pepper soda, even though there is no soda in it.
Traditionally the rum is floated on the amaretto, lit, and the shot is dropped into the beer. That version is the riskiest part of the drink, so the method here keeps the burn short, puts the flame out with a lid and pours the shot into the beer instead.
The Safer Choice: No-Flame Dr Pepper Shot
Skip the rum and the lighter entirely. It tastes the same and removes every fire risk, so it is the version to make at a party. Honestly, it’s the only version I make.
- Fill a pint glass about half full with 6 ounces of cold light lager.
- Measure 3/4 ounce of amaretto into a shot glass.
- Pour the amaretto into the beer, stir once and drink slowly.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Choose the no-flame version. It tastes exactly the same. Skip the rum float, pour the amaretto into the beer, and you avoid every fire risk.
- Never pour from a bottle near a flame. Flames can travel up the stream into the bottle. Measure the rum into a jigger, cap the bottle and move it away before lighting anything.
- Always extinguish before drinking. Cover the glass with a metal lid or saucer to snuff the flame. Never drink a lit shot, never blow it out and never carry a burning glass.
- Keep it clear. Tie back hair, roll up sleeves and keep the glass away from napkins, decorations, curtains and other drinks. A lit alcohol flame is nearly invisible in daylight.
- Have a lid and a damp towel ready. If burning liquid spills, smother it with the lid or a damp towel. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby when serving flaming drinks.
- Mind the glass. Use a heavy, thick-walled shot glass and keep the burn short; thin glass can crack, and the rim gets hot. Pour the shot in instead of dropping the glass, which can chip teeth.
- One at a time, early in the evening. Only one sober adult should handle the flame, one drink at a time, and never once people have been drinking.
Flaming Dr Pepper
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minutesA bar drink for adults of legal drinking age: amaretto topped with a thin float of 151-proof rum in a shot glass, briefly lit, extinguished with a lid, then poured into light beer. It contains about one US standard drink. The no-flame version, with the flame step skipped, tastes the same and is the safer choice.
Ingredients
175 ml light lager beer, cold (6 ounces)
22 ml amaretto (almond liqueur, about 28% ABV) (3/4 ounce)
7 ml 151-proof (75% ABV) overproof rum (1/4 ounce), only for the flaming version
heavy, thick-walled shot glass, a pint glass and a metal lid or saucer that covers the shot glass
Directions
- Set Up Safely
- Clear the area: a stable, nonflammable surface, away from curtains, paper napkins, decorations and open bottles. Tie back long hair and roll up loose sleeves. Have the metal lid or saucer and a damp kitchen towel within reach before you start.
- Pour the cold beer into a pint glass so it is about half full. Set it aside.
- Measure the amaretto into the shot glass with a jigger.
- Measure the rum into a jigger, close the rum bottle and move it well away. Then pour the rum from the jigger slowly over the back of a bar spoon so it floats on the amaretto. Never pour from a bottle near a flame. For the safer no-flame version, skip the rum float and go straight to the last step.
- Light, Extinguish, Combine
- Using a long lighter, light the surface of the shot at arm’s length. The flame is pale blue and hard to see in bright light, so dim the lights a little. Let it burn for no more than 5 to 10 seconds. Never carry, lift or tip a lit glass.
- Extinguish the flame by setting the metal lid or saucer flat over the shot glass for a few seconds. Lift it and check the flame is completely out. Never blow on it.
- Let the glass cool for a moment, then pour the shot into the beer (rather than dropping the glass in). Drink slowly and never drink anything that is still lit.
Notes
- Whilst shots are normally quick way to feel ‘merry’ sooner rather than later, this Flaming Dr. Pepper Shot recipe isn’t too strong. The stronger spirit doesn’t feature too heavily as a main ingredient. So, provided that you follow our recipe, each shot will be around the same level of alcohol as a 12oz regular beer.
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Alcohol-Free Dr Pepper-Style Drink
For guests who are not drinking, or are under the legal drinking age, this gives the same almond-and-malt flavor with no alcohol and no flame. I make it for designated drivers.
- Pour 6 ounces of cold 0.0% alcohol-free beer into a glass. Many non-alcoholic beers contain up to 0.5% ABV, so check the label if you need zero alcohol.
- Stir in 3/4 ounce of almond syrup (orgeat) and 1 or 2 drops of almond extract.
- For a version kids can have too, skip the beer and use cream soda or chilled Dr Pepper itself, with a scoop of ice cream for a Dr Pepper vanilla float.
If Something Catches Fire
- Burning liquid in the glass: cover it with the metal lid or saucer and wait. Do not try to carry the glass to a sink.
- Spilled burning liquid: smother it with a damp towel or the lid. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby whenever you serve flaming drinks.
- Clothing or hair on fire: stop, drop and roll, or smother the flames with a towel.
- Burns: cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes and get medical help for anything larger than a small surface burn. Call emergency services if a fire is not quickly controlled.
More Drinks to Try
For more mixed drinks, browse my classic rum cocktails. For alcohol-free options, try a virgin Shirley Temple or an old fashioned mocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in a flaming Dr Pepper?
A flaming Dr Pepper is amaretto topped with a thin float of 151-proof rum in a shot glass, briefly set alight, then combined with light beer. It contains no Dr Pepper soda. Amaretto and beer together taste remarkably like the soda, which is how the drink got its name.
How much alcohol is in a flaming Dr Pepper?
This version uses 3/4 ounce of amaretto (about 28% ABV), 1/4 ounce of 151-proof rum (75% ABV) and 6 ounces of light beer. Together that is roughly one US standard drink. Bar versions are often stronger, so it is easy to drink more alcohol than you expect.
Is a flaming Dr Pepper safe?
Setting alcohol on fire carries real burn and fire risks, especially at parties. If you make one, follow the safety steps: never pour from the bottle near a flame, keep hair and flammables away, keep the burn short and put the flame out with a lid before drinking. The no-flame version is the safer choice.
Can you make a flaming Dr Pepper without fire?
Yes. Skip the rum float and the lighter, and pour 3/4 ounce of amaretto into 6 ounces of cold light beer. Some people call this a Dr Pepper shot or depth charge. It tastes the same, because the flame adds nothing to the flavor.
Is there an alcohol-free version?
Yes. Stir 3/4 ounce of almond syrup and a few drops of almond extract into 6 ounces of alcohol-free beer for a similar flavor, or simply serve chilled Dr Pepper. Note that many non-alcoholic beers contain up to 0.5% ABV, so choose a 0.0% beer if you need zero alcohol.
