Vegas Bomb Cocktail

An explosion of flavor will blast across your taste buds when you detonate a Vegas Bomb Cocktail.

There’s a series of photographs I’ve been fascinated with for the majority of my life. For reasons still not entirely clear to me, I’ll dig them up on the internet and stare at these frozen moments for a good length of time. They show a number of different vistas from Las Vegas, Nevada, in the 1950s. Pool parties, cityscapes, pinup models posing in the desert… all these images have the same thing in common: a giant mushroom cloud in the background from nearby atomic bomb testing.

Believe it or not, tourists flocked to Las Vegas not just for the shows and the gambling, but to see a nuclear weapon explode in the distance. This trend earned Sin City another nickname: Atomic City. One hundred atmospheric tests, above-ground detonations, were set off 65 miles north of the Strip, and could be seen and felt from over 100 miles away.

The equally terrifying and fascinating sight of a mushroom cloud on the horizon was one of the inspirations for the cocktail we’ll be toasting with tonight: the Vegas Bomb. Combining whiskey, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice in a shot glass, this mixture is dropped like a mini booze-bomb—shot glass and all—into a highball glass filled with your preferred high-powered energy drink.

The next time you find yourself in Vegas, try one of its Bombs. They’re all flavor and no fallout.

Which Energy Drink is Best for a Vegas Bomb?

When I moved to Los Angeles, I worked at the Sam Ash on Sunset that is, sadly, no longer there. During my time selling guitars, we had a break room with a fully stocked fridge provided by an energy drink company that shall remain nameless. Their products were free to us, and on really long days you’d see us employees running around, caffeinated out of our minds, thanks to these oversized cans. My point is, for a Vegas Bomb, go small.

What is the Best Whiskey to Use in a Vegas Bomb Cocktail?

You more than likely have a favorite whiskey that you imbibe regularly, so whatever your preferred brand is, that’ll work great in the Vegas Bomb. I recently discovered the joys of Japanese whisky, and the bottle of Toki Suntory I have at home has fast become one of my favorite drams. This spirit leans closer to the side of scotch, flavor-wise, and made a very robust version of tonight’s drink.

Print Recipe

Servings 1 serving

serving 5

Ingredients

1/2 ounce whiskey
1/2 ounce peach schnapps
1/2 ounce cranberry juice
1 can energy drink chilled

Instructions

Chill all ingredients before starting the preparation.
Fill a highball glass halfway with the chilled energy drink and set aside.
In a separate shot glass, combine 1/2 ounce of whiskey, 1/2 ounce of peach schnapps, and 1/2 ounce of cranberry juice.
Carefully drop the shot glass into the highball glass containing the energy drink.
Serve immediately and enjoy the drink by consuming the combined shot and energy drink together.

FAQs & Tips

What kind of glassware is used for a Vegas Bomb?

Pour your choice of energy drink into a highball glass, no ice, and drop your shot glass of the other ingredients directly into it. Drink up and try not to explode.

Can you store a Vegas Bomb Cocktail?

Since most energy drinks are carbonated, this cocktail doesn’t lend itself to mixing and storing for later. Once you drop that shot glass in, enjoy!

How many calories are in a Vegas Bomb Cocktail?

Depending on the style of energy drink you choose, a single serving of a Vegas Bomb can be around 190 calories.

What is the difference between a Royal Flush and a Vegas Bomb?

A Royal Flush is a mixture of Crown Royal Canadian whisky (i.e., rye), peach schnapps, and raspberry liqueur. You don’t drop it into anything except your mouth.