How to Make a Flaming Dr Pepper Shot

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Flaming Dr Pepper shot with lit amaretto dropping into a beer glass with dramatic blue and orange flames on a bar counter

Ready to impress (and slightly terrify) your friends? The Flaming Dr Pepper is the cocktail equivalent of a mic-drop — a flaming shot that, once dunked into beer, tastes suspiciously like the soda it’s named after. It’s theatrical, loud, and absolutely party-worthy. Read the safety notes, grab your goggles (kidding, but not really), and let’s set something on fire responsibly.

Ingredients

  • 4 (12 fl oz) cans or bottles of light beer (lager or pilsner)
  • 3 oz amaretto liqueur (about 3/4 oz per shot)
  • 1 oz overproof rum (151-proof or 75–80% ABV) — about 1/4 oz per shot, for the float
  • Optional: 4 maraschino cherries (for garnish)
  • Optional: 1 can of cola or a splash to tweak flavor (if you want it sweeter)

Instructions

  1. Chill everything: Put your beer, amaretto, and shot glasses in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Cold beer makes the drop less dramatic and helps control the flame.
  2. Prep the beer glasses: Pour each 12 oz beer into a pint or beer glass, filling to about three-quarters full (leave room for the flaming shot to enter).
  3. Build the shot: In each shot glass pour 3/4 oz amaretto. Carefully float about 1/4 oz of overproof rum on top — pour slowly over the back of a spoon so it sits as a separate layer.
  4. Safety check: Remove anything flammable from the area (napkins, paper menus, long hair, loose sleeves). Have a lid or metal tray and a damp towel nearby to smother flames if needed. Never lean over a flaming drink.
  5. Ignite: Using a long lighter or BBQ lighter, carefully ignite the rum layer on the first shot glass. The flame will be blue and subtle at first. Don’t panic if you don’t see a huge flame — it’s hotter than it looks.
  6. Drop and dunk: Holding the flaming shot by the non-burning base (or using tongs), quickly drop the lit shot glass into the beer glass. The flame will extinguish on contact and the flavors will mingle to create that nostalgic Dr Pepper-esque profile. Drink immediately.
  7. Repeat: Do the same for remaining shots, one at a time. If you prefer, stagger the shots so each person has time to drop and drink safely.
  8. Aftercare: If a flame persists or something spills, smother it with the damp towel or metal lid. Do not move a glass with a live flame inside.

Tips & Notes

– Use a sturdy, thick-walled shot glass to avoid sudden temperature stress. Thin glass can crack under heat.

  • Overproof rum is flammable — do not substitute with lower-proof rum if you want the flame. If you can’t or won’t use 151, skip the flame and enjoy a cold Amaretto & beer drop instead.
  • Want it sweeter? Add a splash of cola to the beer before dropping the shot.
  • Practice the float with water and a little oil first if you’ve never layered spirits.
  • Consider using metal shot cups or tongs for extra safety when dropping live flames.

Always prioritize safety — flaming drinks look cool, but they are open flames around alcohol. If you’re serving in a busy environment, consider skipping the fire and calling it a “Cold Dr Pepper Drop.”

Weird Fact

Weird fact: The Flaming Dr Pepper doesn’t actually contain any Dr Pepper soda — tricked you! The combination of sweet amaretto, the caramel-burnt notes from beer, and the boozy flash of overproof rum fool your brain into tasting the classic cola. It’s a convincing alcoholic illusion.