Fireball

Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is a Canadian whisky-based liqueur blended with natural cinnamon flavoring, bottled at 33% ABV (66 proof). One of the best-selling spirits in the United States by volume. Available in 750ml, 1L, 1.75L, 50ml shooters, and the 5L party keg. The Dragon Reserve is a limited edition aged in dragon-charred barrels, adding light oak character to the classic cinnamon profile.

Fireball was originally developed in Canada in the 1980s as a flavored schnapps, then reformulated and relaunched by the Sazerac Company in the early 2000s. Its rise to one of America's top-selling spirits was driven almost entirely by word-of-mouth and on-premise bar culture — it became the dominant shot at college bars and sporting events through the late 2000s and 2010s. At 33% ABV it is stronger than most flavored liqueurs (typically 15–20%) but lighter than standard spirits (40%), which contributes to its reputation as an approachable shot. The cinnamon flavor is from natural cinnamon oil, producing genuine heat rather than candy sweetness.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fireball gluten-free?

This is the most common question about Fireball, and the answer requires nuance. Fireball is made from Canadian whisky — which is distilled from grain including wheat and rye, both of which contain gluten. However, distillation removes proteins including gluten from the final spirit, and most celiac and gluten-sensitivity organizations consider distilled spirits made from gluten-containing grains to be safe for people with gluten intolerance, because the gluten protein does not carry over through distillation. The Sazerac Company does not officially certify Fireball as gluten-free. People with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity should consult their physician before consuming any grain-based distilled spirit. Those with mild gluten sensitivity generally tolerate distilled spirits well, but individual responses vary. Fireball does not add any post-distillation gluten-containing ingredients.

How much alcohol is in Fireball?

Fireball is bottled at 33% ABV (66 proof). This is higher than most flavored liqueurs and schnapps — which typically range from 15–23% ABV — but lower than standard spirits like vodka, whiskey, and gin at 40% ABV. A standard 1.5oz shot of Fireball contains approximately 0.6 standard drinks, slightly less than a standard 1.5oz shot of 80-proof spirits.

What is the Fireball 5L keg and how does it work?

The Fireball 5L keg is a party-sized format containing approximately 169 standard 1oz shots of Fireball in a pressurized mini-keg dispenser. The keg uses a simple tap mechanism — no CO2 cartridge needed — and is designed for tabletop use at parties and events. It dispenses the same 33% ABV Fireball Cinnamon Whisky as the standard bottles. At roughly 3–4x the per-ounce cost savings compared to 750ml bottles, it is primarily a convenience and novelty purchase rather than a pure value play.