This easy Cherry Bomb Shot recipe is the perfect blend of cherry vodka, Red Bull, and grenadine!

Cherry Bomb Shot over a red cocktail shot on a white coaster surrounded by fresh cherries

Cherry Bomb Shot Recipe

Contents show

I love easy, delicious cocktail shots that take barely a minute to prepare. This Cherry Bomb Shot is flavor-packed.

This cocktail shot is excellent for parties. You can line the shot glasses up and pour them in a row so everyone can enjoy them together.

This delicious drink is quick and easy to make while tasting fantastic. You can't go wrong with a cherry cocktail.

There is no need for a cocktail shaker when making this recipe. You don't want to shake the red bull that is already carbonated and create a giant mess.

Cherry vodka, Red Bull and Grenadine bottles

What is in a Cherry Bomb Shot

Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make an epic Cherry Bomb Shot! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

You only need 3 ingredients to make this great cherry shot cocktail recipe.

Grenadine
Cherry Vodka
Red Bull Energy Drink

Equipment Needed

2-Ounce Shot Glasses: We love these 2 oz shot glasses, especially for layered shots.
OXO Angled Jiggers: These angled jiggers are our go-to measuring tools for cocktails. They work perfectly for pouring in layers for cocktails.

How to make a Cherry Bomb Shot

I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.

red liquid in a glass shot glass surrounded by fresh cherries

Step 1 - Add a splash of Grenadine syrup to the Shot Glass.

red liquid pouring into a shot glass on a white coaster surrounded by fresh cherries

Step 2 - Pour vodka into the shot glass.

Red Bull pouring into a shot glass surrounded by fresh cherries

Step 3 - Top with Red Bull until you reach the top of the shot glass

Cheers!

Preparation and Storage

Make Ahead: For the best results, we recommend making the Cherry Bomb Shot to order. Red Bull is a fizzy ingredient that eventually goes flat.

Freezing/How to Freeze: We have yet to try it with this recipe, but we’ve seen people make slushies and popsicles from the cocktail ingredients as we did in our Black Cherry Lemonade Cocktail Popsicles.

Recipe Variations

Substitutions:

If you don't have cherry vodka, you can use regular vodka, cherry schnapps, or cherry liqueur. The shot will not have the same cherry flavor.

If you are not a fan of Red Bull, you can switch it to lemon-lime soda (Sprite or 7-up) or tonic/seltzer water to still have the bubbles in the cherry bomb cocktail.

We have seen this shot served with a maraschino cherry in the bottom of it. If you serve it this way, warn people before they shoot the drink quickly so no one chokes on the cherry. A safer alternative for serving this shot with a maraschino cherry would be to stick it on a cocktail pick and place it on top of the glass.

Another way to make this cocktail is to mix the grenadine and cherry vodka in a pint glass. Add Red Bull to a pint glass, then drop the cherry vodka and grenadine into the pint glass with the Red Bull.

This drink is similar to a Jager Bomb or a Vegas Bomb Shot.

Vegetarian Option: This cocktail recipe should be vegetarian, as none of its ingredients, including Red Bull, are animal-derived.

Vegan Option: Based on the ingredients, the Cherry Bomb Shot should also be vegan. Vegans may want to use a substitute for Red Bull, as the brand’s statement confirms being vegetarian but does not confirm being vegan.

Gluten-Free: Gluten-free drinkers should use gluten-free substitutes for grenadine and cherry vodka, as they may contain flavorings unsafe for a gluten-free diet. Red Bull confirms being gluten-free and free of many common allergens.

Alcohol-Free Option: Swap the cherry vodka with an NA alternative to make this cocktail shooter non-alcoholic.

Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: The written recipe makes one Cherry Bomb Shot to fill a 2-ounce shot glass. Scale it up for a full-sized cocktail!

Sugar-Free: Use sugar-free grenadine and Red Bull to make this cocktail sugar-free.

red cocktail shot on a white coaster with a can of Red Bull and Fresh cherries near it.

Tips for the Best Cherry Bomb Shot

You can serve the Cherry Bomb Shot in a small glass, like a highball glass, if you want to add more Red Bull.
We like to serve this as a Christmas Cocktail or a Valentine's Day Cocktail to celebrate the bright red color of this epic drink.

What to Serve with a Cherry Bomb Shot

Serve this fruity and fizzy Cherry Bomb Shot with other party favorite appetizers and beverages for a Royal Flush of a party! Here are some menu planning suggestions.

Sides: 3-Ingredient Ranch Dip, 7-Layer Taco Dip, Funeral Potatoes, Candy Corn and Peanuts Snack Mix, CrockPot Mushrooms, CrockPot Bourbon Little Smokies, Super Easy Marinated Olives, Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip, CrockPot Sriracha Chicken Dip, BLT Dip