✔ Updated · real measurements, an alcohol and energy drink caution + an alcohol-free version
A Vegas bomb is a bomb-style party shot: Crown Royal whisky, peach schnapps, coconut rum and a splash of cranberry juice in a shot glass, dropped into a glass of chilled energy drink and drunk right away.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Chill everything first and drop the shot glass gently into a sturdy, wide glass. Then drink it slowly enough that the shot glass stays at the bottom.
To me it tastes like sweet peach and coconut with a tart cranberry edge and plenty of fizz, and it takes about 2 minutes to make. This is an alcoholic drink, with 1 1/2 ounces of spirits in each shot, so it is for adults of legal drinking age only. Because it also contains caffeine from the energy drink, please read the short safety note below, and if you would rather skip the alcohol, there is an alcohol-free version further down.
Why People Order a Vegas Bomb
- Sweet and fruity, with peach and coconut softening the whisky and cranberry adding a tart finish.
- Five ingredients and 2 minutes, with no shaker, syrup or ice needed.
- Easy to adapt, including an alcohol-free version with the same peach, coconut and cranberry flavor.
What Is a Vegas Bomb?
A Vegas bomb is a bomb shot, the same style of drink as a Jager bomb: a shot glass of liquor dropped into a larger glass of energy drink and drunk in one go. The shot itself, Crown Royal, peach schnapps, coconut rum and cranberry juice, is known as a royal flush shot. Dropping it into an energy drink is what turns it into a Vegas bomb.
It tastes much sweeter and fruitier than the whisky suggests, with peach and coconut up front, a tart cranberry finish and lots of fizz. If you like this style of drink, compare it with the classic Jager bomb or the green tea shot, which uses similar peach schnapps flavors without the energy drink.
What You Need
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below. Every measure is 1/2 ounce of spirit, so a single shot holds 1 1/2 ounces of alcohol-containing liquor.
- Crown Royal: the usual pick, which gives the royal flush its name. Any smooth Canadian whisky works.
- Peach schnapps: adds sweetness and most of the fruit flavor. Strength varies by brand, from about 15% to 24% alcohol.
- Coconut rum: a sweet, lower-proof rum with a tropical coconut flavor.
- Cranberry juice: a small splash for color and tartness. Cranberry juice cocktail is fine.
- Energy drink: Red Bull is traditional, but any chilled energy drink works. Sugar-free versions cut about 50 calories.
- Glassware: a heavy shot glass and a sturdy, wide rocks glass or tumbler.
Alcohol and Energy Drinks: A Quick Safety Note
A Vegas bomb combines alcohol with caffeine, and that pairing deserves a moment of thought. According to the CDC, caffeine does not lower your blood alcohol level or make you less impaired. It can, however, mask the feeling of being drunk, so people may feel more alert than they are and end up drinking more than they intended.
Keep it simple: serve it only to adults of legal drinking age, have one rather than a round of them, drink water alongside, and never drive after drinking. Skip it entirely if you are pregnant, take medication that interacts with alcohol or caffeine, or are sensitive to caffeine. The alcohol-free version below is an easy swap.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Chill everything first. A Vegas bomb has no ice, so a cold energy drink and cold juice keep it crisp and stop the fizz from foaming over.
- Use a sturdy, wide glass. A short rocks glass or heavy tumbler lets the shot glass land flat. Thin or delicate glassware can chip or crack when the shot glass drops in.
- Drop, do not throw. Hold the shot glass just above the rim and let it slide in. A gentle drop gives plenty of splash without broken glass. Trust me, nobody wants to sweep up glass mid-party.
- Measure with a jigger. Free-pouring three spirits quickly turns one shot into two. Half an ounce of each keeps the drink balanced and the alcohol in check.
- Pace yourself. Have one, drink water alongside it, and never drive after drinking. If you are hosting, offer the alcohol-free version too.
Vegas Bomb Shot
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minutesA Vegas bomb is a bomb-style shot for adults of legal drinking age: Crown Royal whisky, peach schnapps, coconut rum and a splash of cranberry juice in a shot glass, dropped into a glass of chilled energy drink and drunk right away. It contains alcohol and caffeine, so have one and pace yourself.
Ingredients
- For the Shot
1/2 oz Crown Royal or another Canadian whisky
1/2 oz peach schnapps
1/2 oz coconut rum
1/4 oz cranberry juice
- For the Glass
4 oz energy drink, well chilled (about half an 8.4-oz can)
Directions
- Make the Shot
- Chill the energy drink, the cranberry juice and, if you like, the spirits for at least an hour so the finished drink is ice cold without any ice.
- Pour 4 oz (1/2 cup) of the chilled energy drink into a sturdy rocks glass or short tumbler that is wide enough for a shot glass to sit flat on the bottom.
- Using a jigger, measure 1/2 oz each of Crown Royal, peach schnapps and coconut rum into a heavy shot glass, then add 1/4 oz of cranberry juice.
- Drop and Serve
- Hold the shot glass just above the rim of the larger glass and drop it in gently. Do this over a counter or tray, since it splashes.
- Drink it right away while it is fizzy, tilting the glass slowly so the shot glass does not slide toward your teeth. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and have one, not a round of them.
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Alcohol-Free Vegas Bomb
The same peach, coconut and cranberry flavors work without any alcohol. Make it exactly like the recipe with this shot instead:
- In the shot glass: 1/2 oz peach nectar, 1/2 oz cranberry juice and 1/4 oz cream of coconut or coconut syrup, stirred together.
- In the glass: 4 oz chilled energy drink for adults. For a caffeine-free version that suits everyone, use ginger ale or lemon-lime soda instead, since energy drinks are not recommended for children.
- Drop and serve the same way, gently, over a counter or tray.
- For more alcohol-free drinks, try our virgin Shirley Temple, blue lagoon mocktail or cherry limeade.
Variations
- Royal flush shot: skip the energy drink and serve the shot on its own, shaken briefly with ice and strained.
- Mixed in one glass: stir the shot ingredients into the energy drink over ice for a tall drink with no splash.
- Different schnapps: swap the peach schnapps for apple or cherry schnapps.
- Sugar-free: use a sugar-free energy drink to save about 50 calories.
- More drinks: browse our rum cocktails, the coconut rum cocktail and peach jello shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in a Vegas bomb?
A Vegas bomb is Crown Royal Canadian whisky, peach schnapps and coconut rum, about 1/2 ounce of each, with a splash of cranberry juice. The shot glass is dropped into roughly 4 ounces of chilled energy drink. The shot on its own, without the energy drink, is often called a royal flush shot.
Is a Vegas bomb a strong drink?
Each Vegas bomb contains about 1 1/2 ounces of spirits, which works out to roughly two-thirds of a US standard drink, depending on the proof of the schnapps and rum. It is drunk quickly and also contains caffeine, so it can feel milder than it is. Have one and pace yourself.
Is it safe to mix alcohol and energy drinks?
Health agencies such as the CDC advise against it. Caffeine does not reduce how drunk you are, but it can make you feel more alert than you really are, which can lead people to drink more than they planned. Limit yourself to one, drink water and never drive.
What can I use instead of Crown Royal?
Any smooth Canadian whisky works, as does a mild bourbon or Irish whiskey. I often just use whatever's already in my cabinet. The peach schnapps, coconut rum and cranberry carry most of the flavor, so the whisky mainly adds warmth. Use the same 1/2-ounce measure whichever one you choose.
Can I make a Vegas bomb without alcohol?
Yes. Fill the shot glass with 1/2 ounce peach nectar, 1/2 ounce cranberry juice and 1/4 ounce cream of coconut or coconut syrup, then drop it into 4 ounces of energy drink, or into ginger ale or lemon-lime soda for a caffeine-free version anyone can have.
