Dr Pepper and Fireball is a two-ingredient highball: about 1 1/2 ounces of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky over ice, topped with 4 1/2 to 6 ounces of cold Dr Pepper. I would expect it to land somewhere between a spiced cherry cola and a cinnamon candy, depending on how heavy your pour is. Like every cocktail here, it is for adults of legal drinking age, so please drink responsibly.
Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is a Canadian whisky with cinnamon flavor and sweeteners, and the Fireball FAQ gives the original at 66 proof (33% ABV), a little lighter than a standard 80-proof whiskey. Because it is already sweet, I would use less soda than in a whiskey and cola.
This is the standard bar build, written up from how the drink is usually made rather than one I have taken through my own kitchen yet, so treat the ratio as a starting point.
What is the best ratio for Fireball and Dr Pepper?
I would start at 1 part Fireball to 3 parts Dr Pepper: 1 1/2 ounces of Fireball to 4 1/2 ounces of soda in a rocks glass full of ice. Both are sweet, so I would expect a heavier pour of whisky to make it hotter rather than better. If the cinnamon is too much, stretch it to 1:4, which is 1 1/2 ounces to 6.
| Style | Fireball | Dr Pepper | Glass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highball (1:3 to 1:4) | 1 1/2 fl oz | 4 1/2 to 6 fl oz | Rocks or highball, full of ice |
| Lighter (1:6) | 1 fl oz | 6 fl oz | Highball, full of ice |
| Shot | 1 fl oz | 1/2 fl oz | Shot glass, chilled |
Does Dr Pepper mix well with Fireball?
I would expect so. Dr Pepper already leans toward cherry, vanilla and warm spice (the 23 flavors fans argue about), so the cinnamon should land on something that is already halfway to a spiced soda rather than sitting on top of it.
How to make a Dr Pepper Fireball shot
Pour 1 ounce of chilled Fireball into a shot glass and top it with about 1/2 ounce of cold Dr Pepper. Some versions add a little vanilla vodka for a cream-soda note. Keep shots small and spaced out, and do not confuse this with the Flaming Dr Pepper, a different shot built from amaretto and beer that has nothing to do with cinnamon.
Variations
- Cherry Fireball Pepper: use Dr Pepper Cherry for a cinnamon-cherry version.
- Fireball cream soda: use Dr Pepper Cream Soda and add a splash of half and half for something closer to dessert.
- Lighter on sugar: Dr Pepper Zero Sugar cuts the soda's sugar, though Fireball itself is sweetened.
- Dirty Fireball Pepper: the dirty Dr Pepper build (coconut syrup, cream, lime) with a shot of Fireball in it. Still for adults of legal drinking age only.
Is all Fireball whisky?
No. According to the Fireball FAQ, products labelled "Fireball Cinnamon" without the word "Whisky" are malt-based (33 proof, 16.5% ABV) or wine-based (42 proof, 21% ABV), made so they can be sold in beer, malt beverage and wine stores. There is also a lower-strength Fireball Whisky 42 Proof. Bottle size is not a guide either, since the FAQ lists Cinnamon Whisky in sizes down to 50 mL. Check the front label for "Cinnamon Whisky" and the ABV. The mini-bottle labelling was the subject of a 2023 lawsuit reported by NPR. For this recipe I mean the original 66-proof Fireball Cinnamon Whisky.
More whiskey pairings are in Jack and Dr Pepper and the full Dr Pepper drinks and cocktails guide, and everything else is in the Dr Pepper recipes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the drink with Dr Pepper and Fireball called?
Most people just call it Fireball and Dr Pepper. You will also see it called a Dr Pepper Fireball, and as a small pour, a Dr Pepper Fireball shot. There is no settled cocktail name for it.
How much Fireball do you put in Dr Pepper?
About 1 1/2 ounces of Fireball to 4 1/2 to 6 ounces of Dr Pepper over ice, which is a 1:3 to 1:4 ratio. For a shot, 1 ounce of Fireball to 1/2 ounce of Dr Pepper.
Can you make it with Diet Dr Pepper or Zero Sugar?
Yes. Diet Dr Pepper or Dr Pepper Zero Sugar both work and cut the soda's sugar. Fireball still contains sweeteners of its own, so the drink is lower in sugar, not sugar-free.
Does Fireball and Dr Pepper have caffeine?
Yes, from the Dr Pepper. Keurig Dr Pepper's product facts give approximately 41 mg in a 12 fl oz can, so a glass using 4 1/2 to 6 ounces has roughly 15 to 21 mg. The CDC notes that caffeine does not reduce the effects of alcohol but can make you feel less affected than you are, so pace yourself. More detail is in how much caffeine is in Dr Pepper.
