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.
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FAQs
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.
What is the Fireball controversy? ›
The maker of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky has been sued for fraud for selling a beverage that, at a glance, looks like the spicy Fireball spirit famed for its ubiquity at college parties, but which doesn't actually contain much of a key ingredient: whisky.
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.
What happens if you drink an entire Fireball? ›
You need to got to ER and get Liver function test as such heavy Alcohol consumption can cause acute liver injury resulting to vomiting .
Does Fireball still have antifreeze in it? ›
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. We would not dream of putting antifreeze in our product.
What does propylene glycol do to your body? ›
► Contact can irritate the skin and eyes. ► Propylene Glycol can cause nausea and vomiting. ► Exposure can cause headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, and passing out.
Why is Fireball banned in some places? ›
Fireball was recalled due to concerns it contained an ingredient used in antifreeze. This ingredient is propylene glycol, otherwise known as part of the mixture used to de-ice airplanes. In 2014, Fireball was recalled in European countries because propylene glycol levels were deemed too high.
What's the difference between Fireball Cinnamon and Fireball 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 of a bomb? ›
It is a "fireball" because visible radiation is produced by hot plasma (a few thousand Kelvin and upwards) via a number of processes involving electrons interacting with ions or recombining with ions. The visible radiation escapes to us from the outer part of the fireball - a bit like the photosphere of the Sun.
Is Fireball meant to be drank straight? ›
This article has been viewed 104,326 times. Fireball is a Canadian whiskey that's famous for its sweet and spicy cinnamon flavor. Besides taking a shot of Fireball or sipping it as an after-dinner treat, you can also use it in tons of hot drinks as well as cold co*cktails.
For all intents and purposes, the question of whether or not drinking a fifth of vodka every night is too much has a simple answer, which is 'yes. ' In fact, it's hard to even conceive of a situation were drinking a fifth of vodka daily isn't a problem.
Does Fireball give bad hangovers? ›
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.
Why did Fireball get recalled? ›
Drinkers the world over let out a collective gasp this week when Fireball Cinnamon Whisky was recalled in some European countries for containing what regulators deemed an unsafe level of propylene glycol—a chemical found in antifreeze.
What alcohol does not contain propylene glycol? ›
Gin, Natural Flavor Blend contains ethyl alcohol, water and natural flavor. Propylene Glycol Free.
Why is propylene glycol in food? ›
Propylene glycol is also an anti-caking agent, antioxidant, dough strengthener, emulsifier, flavor agent, formulation aid, stabilizer and thickener, glazing agent, texturizer, and antimicrobial agent (helping to kill or slow the growth of microorganisms, like bacteria or fungi that may contaminate food).
What sweetener is in Fireball whiskey? ›
Propylene glycol is used for a variety of industrial, cosmetic, and food production uses. In your Prestone Low-Tox, it's an antifreeze. In Fireball, it's used as a sweetener, its makers say. (And yes, according to the Centers for Disease Control, it's "generally regarded as safe for use in food.")
