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Flaming Dr Pepper

The Flaming Dr Pepper is a theatrical drink that combines the sweetness of cola and amaretto with the punch of spiced rum, all finished with a dramatic flaming presentation. It's perfect for parties, celebrations, or any moment when you want to impress friends with something bold and visually stunning.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 3 minutes
Servings: 1 drink
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 0.5 ounce amaretto liqueur
  • 0.75 ounce spiced rum
  • 5 ounces cola Coca-Cola works best
  • 0.5 ounce high-proof rum or 151 proof rum for flaming

Equipment

  • Shot glass (1.5 ounce capacity)
  • Rocks glass or pint glass
  • Bar spoon or long spoon
  • Jigger
  • Long-handled lighter or kitchen torch
  • Heat-resistant surface
  • Cocktail strainer (optional)

Method
 

  1. Set up your workspace on a heat-resistant surface away from anything flammable, overhead items, or people. Have your lighter or torch within arm's reach, and make sure you have plenty of room to move safely around the shot glass.
  2. Pour 5 ounces of cold cola into a rocks glass or pint glass. You want enough cola to create a substantial drink when you drop the shot into it, but not so much that it overflows when the shot glass goes in.
  3. Use a jigger to measure exactly 0.5 ounce of amaretto liqueur. Precision matters here because the balance between sweet and boozy depends on getting the proportions right.
  4. Pour 0.75 ounce of spiced rum into an empty shot glass. The spiced rum goes in first because it becomes the base layer of your shot before the flaming component.
  5. Slowly pour the 0.5 ounce of amaretto over the back of a bar spoon into the shot glass to layer it on top of the spiced rum. Layering creates visual separation and allows the high-proof rum to float on top for easier ignition.
  6. Pour 0.5 ounce of 151-proof rum over the back of the bar spoon so it floats on top of the amaretto layer. This top layer is what you'll actually light on fire, so keep it separated from the lower layers.
  7. Using a long-handled lighter or kitchen torch, carefully ignite the high-proof rum on top of the shot. The flame should catch almost immediately and burn with a bright blue flame.
  8. Holding the shot glass with a thick cloth or napkin (to protect your hand from heat), drop the entire flaming shot glass into the cola. The mixture will hiss and fizz, and the flame may go out when it hits the cold cola, which is perfectly normal.
  9. Let the drink settle for 5 to 10 seconds so it cools slightly and the flavors meld. Never try to drink it immediately after dropping it in, as the liquid inside will still be extremely hot and dangerous.

Notes

Keep the 151-proof rum cold in your freezer before making the drink. Practice the layering technique multiple times without fire before attempting the actual shot. Use a thick bar napkin or cloth to hold the shot glass when dropping it into the cola. Make sure your cola is cold and freshly opened. Never attempt this on a night when you're exhausted, distracted, or impaired. Always wait for the flame to go out and the liquid to cool slightly before drinking.