Oh, Fireball. The cheap and syrupy cinnamon spirit was made for newbie drinkers and Solo cup college parties, and that's as far as it should have made it. Yet somehow it remains a popular order at bars nationwide. But this is wrong. So completely, sadly, and utterly wrong.
Sure, it might serve its purpose in a big batch Jell-O shot, but if it's your favorite booze, then you really need to sort out your priorities. Because there are more than enough reasons to not drink Fireball.
Okay, but these Fireball Margaritas are pretty cool.
1. It Tastes Like Red Hots Soaked In Water.
Actually make that Big Red gum soaked in pee. Just the thought of sipping this syrupy mess is enough to make you gag and start dry-heaving. These grandmas trying it for the first time agree with me.
2. Fireball Has The Worst Recipe Ideas With Even Worse Names.
Any drink that ends in "balls" or "nuts" is best left behind. Same goes for the eye-roll–inducing fragile masculinity of the"Man-mosa." And don't even get me started on adding cinnamon to lemonade. Barf.
3. It's Always Ordered By The D-bags At The Bar.
You know who I'm talking about: the bros with popped-collar Polos and gingham button-ups, finance guys who always cut you in line and touch your lower back while doing it, sorority girls and college freshmen (with fake IDs, obviously) looking to get plastered on a Thursday night, dudes bragging about how much they can lift.
4. Sorry, But It's "Whiskey" Not "Whisky."
The makers of Fireball, Sazerac, are based in Louisiana. So there's no need to use the United Kingdom's spelling of whiskey. According to the brand, the drink contains Canadian Whisky. Our friends to the north apparently drop the "e," hence the spelling choice, but we're not sold.
5. It's Weak As Hell.
At 66 proof, Fireball has 20 percent less alcohol than a true whiskey, which typically clocks in at somewhere between 86 and 100 proof.
6. It Always Leads To Terrible Decisions.
It's cheap and weak so no one orders a single shot of Fireball. And since it's only ever consumed in excess, it inspires ridiculously drunk behavior—like peeing in public and starting fights with the bouncer. Hate to break it to you, Fireball, but no good story ever started with "Well, we were drinking Fireball..."
7. It Will Give You The Worst Hangover.
Sugar and spice and everything not so nice. The morning after drinking this nasty concoction should be enough to make you quit it for good.
8. It Used To Contain A Chemical Used In Anti-Freeze.
This fact was so unsettling to Europeans that sales of Fireball were "temporarily halted" in Norway, Sweden, and Finland in 2014, which Fireball said was "due to a small recipe-related compliance issue." The chemical that came under fire was propylene glycol, which supposedly enhances flavor by absorbing water. It's a slightly less toxic compound than ethylene glycol, which was—until recently—most often used in anti-freeze. According to the FDA, propylene glycol is "generally recognized as safe" when used in food "at levels not to exceed current good manufacturing practice," but nonetheless, Fireball removed the chemical from its recipe.
This story has been updated with information from Sazerac.
Follow Delish on Instagram.
FAQs
Fireball is 100% safe to drink. Fireball does not contain any antifreeze at all, and the suggestion is ridiculous. Sadly, this is the media's way of crafting attention grabbing headlines, but it simply is not true.
What is the truth about Fireball? ›
It's not technically “whiskey.”
Whiskey is defined as a spirit that's at least 40 percent alcohol by volume. Clocking in at a lower 33 percent ABV, Fireball is more of a flavored whiskey, or, to get technical, a “specialty” distilled spirit. This is also why Fireball shots are just so easy to knock back.
Does Fireball have antifreeze? ›
Is there an antifreeze in Fireball whiskey? No, there is no antifreeze in Fireball Whiskey. This rumor though, does have a kernel of truth in it's center. Fireball whiskey, and some other flavored whiskey-like products contain one of the main ingredients of some antifreeze types called propylene glycol.
Will two shots of Fireball get you drunk? ›
For most people, 3-4 shots will be enough for you to at least feel tipsy.
What are the toxic ingredients in Fireball whiskey? ›
This fact was so unsettling to Europeans that sales of Fireball were "temporarily halted" in Norway, Sweden, and Finland in 2014, which Fireball said was "due to a small recipe-related compliance issue." The chemical that came under fire was propylene glycol, which supposedly enhances flavor by absorbing water.
How long does Fireball last in your system? ›
In general, a blood test can measure alcohol in your body for up to 6 hours after your last drink, while breathalyser tests work for between 12 and 24 hours. Urine tests, such as the ethyl glucuronide (EtG) test, are also effective for around 12 to 24 hours after use.
Why is Fireball banned in Europe? ›
Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, a flavored-liqueur popular with college students, was recalled in Finland, Norway and Sweden because it contains an ingredient found in antifreeze. The liqueur was not recalled in the U.S.
What is the Fireball rumor? ›
The problem arose in January 2023 when a Chicago woman named Anna Marquez filed a lawsuit alleging that she purchased a bottle of Fireball Cinnamon expecting to receive a whiskey-based libation and instead she discovered what she purchased was ultimately a malt liqueur-based beverage that contained no whiskey at all.
How many Fireball shots equal a beer? ›
How many shots are equivalent to one beer? The general rule is that one 12-ounce (354-ml) beer with 5% ABV equals one shot of 40% ABV liquor.
Why is Fireball being discontinued? ›
Fireball Whisky is being pulled from shelves in Europe because it contains too much propylene glycol – an additive that prevents evaporation and is a stabilizer in foods. But it's not going anywhere in the United States.
► Propylene Glycol can cause nausea and vomiting. ► Exposure can cause headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, and passing out.
What is the difference between Fireball Cinnamon and Fireball Cinnamon whiskey? ›
The difference between the two drinks is that Fireball Cinnamon is actually a malt-based beverage with 16.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), while Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is whisky-based and has an ABV of 33%. “The labels look almost identical,” he wrote. “That is intentional.”
What is the Fireball controversy? ›
Those mini-bottles of Fireball Cinnamon at gas stations don't actually have any whisky in them. A class-action lawsuit has been filed in Cook County, Illinois against the makers of Fireball Cinnamon over what the plaintiff alleges is purposefully misleading packaging.
What soda mixes well with Fireball? ›
That's right — Fireball and cream soda make a dessert-like drink that brings out the best of both beverages. It's such a good combination that Fireball itself recommends it. The company suggests making your co*cktail with one part Fireball and three parts cream soda and pouring the whole thing over ice.
How fattening is Fireball? ›
Fireball Cinnamon Whisky (43 ml) contains 27g total carbs, 27g net carbs, 0g fat, 0g protein, and 108 calories.
Is Fireball the most powerful alcohol? ›
Even Fireball Cinnamon Whisky—the Fireball with whiskey—has a lower alcohol content than most whiskeys. It's only 33% alcohol by volume (or 66 proof), according to Sazerac's website.
How much alcohol does 1 Fireball have? ›
The difference between the two drinks is that Fireball Cinnamon is actually a malt-based beverage with 16.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), while Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is whisky-based and has an ABV of 33%.
Is Fireball whiskey full of sugar? ›
Just one shot of fireball contains 11 grams of sugar. Let's break that down a bit. A standard shot glass can hold around 1.5 ounces of booze. The 11 grams of sugar in a shot of Fireball accounts for 0.38 ounces — that means ¼ of the shot is pure sugar, according to the site Drink Spirits.
