Jager Bomb Recipe

✔ Updated October 19, 2026 · fixed ratio + calories, added safety facts and a non-alcoholic version

A Jager bomb is an alcoholic bomb shot: a shot of Jägermeister, a 35% ABV (70 proof) German herbal liqueur, dropped into a glass of chilled energy drink and drunk in one go.

It is for adults of legal drinking age only (21 and over in the US). The classic ratio is 1 oz of Jägermeister to about 4 oz of energy drink, which makes one fizzy, sweet, licorice-and-herb drink of about 155 calories. Because it mixes alcohol with caffeine, it is worth knowing the facts below before you make one, and there is a non-alcoholic version for anyone who isn't drinking.

What to Know About the Jager Bomb

• Two ingredients: Jägermeister and a chilled energy drink, nothing else.
• It contains alcohol and caffeine: about 0.6 US standard drinks plus roughly 40 mg of caffeine per glass.
• Non-alcoholic option: a caffeine-free herbal soda version that anyone can enjoy.

What Is a Jager Bomb?

Jägermeister is a German herbal liqueur made with dozens of herbs, roots and spices, with notes of licorice, anise, citrus peel, ginger and clove. It is 35% alcohol by volume. In a Jager bomb, it is served in a chilled energy drink, whose sweet, tart, fizzy flavor softens the bitter herbal taste.

The "bomb" part comes from dropping the shot glass into the larger glass just before drinking. I’ll be honest, it isn’t my kind of drink, but it became a bar staple in the 2000s and is one of the best known bomb shots, alongside the Vegas bomb.

Alcohol and Energy Drinks: The Facts

A Jager bomb contains alcohol and is only for adults of legal drinking age (21 and over in the US). Each drink made with a 1-ounce shot contains about 0.6 US standard drinks, and it also contains caffeine from the energy drink.

The CDC advises against mixing alcohol with energy drinks. Caffeine is a stimulant and alcohol is a depressant, and the caffeine can make you feel more alert and less drunk than you are. It does not lower your blood alcohol level or make you safer to drive. People who mix the two tend to drink more and are more likely to binge drink.

• Have one drink, not a round of them, and alternate with water.
• Never drive or operate machinery after drinking, whatever you feel like.
• Skip it if you are pregnant, take medication that interacts with alcohol or caffeine, are sensitive to caffeine, or have a heart condition.
• Serve the non-alcoholic version below to anyone under the legal drinking age or not drinking.

Step-by-Step Photos

Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.

Tips for Success

• Serve it ice cold. Chill the Jägermeister in the freezer and the energy drink in the fridge. Ice dilutes the drink and gets in the way of the shot glass.
• Use sturdy glasses. A thick shot glass and a short, heavy-based glass are less likely to crack. Never drop a shot glass into a thin pint or highball glass.
• Pour, don't drop. Pouring the shot into the energy drink tastes exactly the same and avoids chipped glasses, splashes and the risk of the shot glass hitting your teeth.
• Measure the shot. Use a jigger: a 1-ounce pour is about 0.6 US standard drinks. A full 1.5-ounce shot is close to one standard drink.
• Keep track. Bomb shots go down fast. Have one, alternate with water and plan a safe ride home.

Non-Alcoholic Jager Bomb (Virgin Bomb)

This alcohol-free version is the one I would make: it keeps the herbal, licorice-like shot and the fizz, but leaves out both the liqueur and the caffeine, so it is suitable for anyone.

• Make the herbal shot: steep 1 licorice or anise herbal tea bag and 1 star anise pod in 1/4 cup boiling water for 5 minutes, stir in 1 teaspoon of honey or sugar and a squeeze of orange juice, then chill.
• Fill the glass: pour 4 oz of cold caffeine-free ginger ale or lemon-lime soda into a sturdy glass.
• Bomb it: pour 1 oz of the chilled herbal shot into the soda, or lower the shot glass in gently, and serve right away.
• Quick swap: a shot of chilled root beer or black cherry juice in ginger ale is another easy, family-friendly version.

Variations

• Sugar-free: use a sugar-free energy drink to save about 50 calories per drink.
• Jäger and cola: swap the energy drink for cola or cherry cola, which most often has less caffeine. Use the same 1-to-4 ratio.
• Jäger chaser: serve the shot and the energy drink side by side instead of combining them. The alcohol and caffeine content are the same.
• Other bomb shots: see the Vegas bomb and green tea shot, and our guide to how many ounces are in a shot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in a Jager bomb?

A Jager bomb is Jägermeister, a German herbal liqueur that is 35% alcohol by volume (70 proof), served in a chilled energy drink. The usual ratio is 1 ounce of Jägermeister to about 4 ounces of energy drink. It is an alcoholic drink for adults of legal drinking age only.

How many calories are in a Jager bomb?

About 155 calories with 1 ounce of Jägermeister and 4 ounces of regular energy drink: roughly 100 from the liqueur and 55 from the drink. A 1.5-ounce shot brings it to about 205 calories. Sugar-free energy drink cuts around 50 calories.

Is it safe to mix alcohol and energy drinks?

Health authorities including the CDC advise against it. Caffeine can mask how drunk you feel without lowering your blood alcohol level, and people who mix the two are more likely to binge drink. Stick to one, drink water and never drive after drinking.

How strong is a Jager bomb?

With a 1-ounce shot, it contains about 0.35 ounces of pure alcohol, roughly 0.6 US standard drinks, plus around 40 mg of caffeine from half an 8.4-ounce can of energy drink. Check the energy drink label, since caffeine content varies by brand and can size.

Can I make a Jager bomb with Dr Pepper or another soda?

Yes. Jägermeister with cola or cherry cola is a common swap and contains less caffeine than an energy drink, though most colas still contain some. Use the same 1-to-4 ratio. For an alcohol-free drink, use the non-alcoholic version on this page.