Fireball Cinnamon whisky (not “whiskey” – I’ll explain later) is a staple in the college student diet. It’s a little hot, a little spicy, tastes okay, and is alcoholic. That’s basically all it takes.
For those who love the “hot cinnamon” taste (think: gum), or need to assert their strength by swallowing liquid fire, Fireball is a way of life. But unless you’re making your own, this spicy drink has a few stories under its cap.
1. It was recalled for resembling antifreeze.
Gif courtesy of blogs.disney.com
Three different European countries recalled Fireball when they received a shipment from North America and realized that it had higher levels of propylene glycol (used to enhance flavor by absorbing water) than usual. While the FDA says propylene glycol’s generally safe to consume, Norway, Sweden, and Finland usually receive Fireball shipments with lower PG levels than American and Canadian shipments.
Propylene glycol can have toxic effects, but Fireball issued a statement saying that pharmaceutical-grade propylene glycol (which is found in food, and what they use) has stricter regulations than non-pharmaceutical (which is used in antifreeze). Still, it’s a little iffy.
2. It’s old and Canadian.
Gif courtesy of Tumblr
Just like your non-violent grandparents. Fireball was first introduced in Canada in the mid-1980s (supposedly by someone looking for a liquid solution to frostbite). It found its way down to the U.S. via smugglers until it took off, and now it’s sold all over.
Also, that’s why they call it “whisky” and not “whiskey.” It’s a Canadian thing, eh?
3. It’s made with real cinnamon.
Gif courtesy of Tumblr
Glozell knows about the dangers of cinnamon. All the same, it’s kind of refreshing (unlike Fireball, which is more of a scorching) to find out that at least one drink ingredient is actually legitimately what it claims to be, and not just some festering chemical party falsehood.
But what kind of cinnamon? Fireball won’t say. That’s why their hair is so big, it’s full of secrets.
4. You don’t have to drink it straight.
Gif courtesy of Imgur
Even though you might be used to straight Fireball shots, there’s a whole host of cool mixed drinks that you can make.
And if you’re looking for a quieter, Fireball-sipping evening, go simple: heating some fireball with normal apple cider in your favorite mug really hits the spot.
5. It’s probably Kosher and probably gluten free, but no promises.
Gif courtesy of Tumblr
They really skirt the issue on this one. Basically, Fireball claims that their production adheres to Kosher guidelines, and they sell it in Israel. But it’s not Kosher certified.
Same for gluten free. They don’t use ingredients that should harm people with gluten intolerance, but they can’t guarantee anything because they’re not certified.
6. They have a gaming app.
Gif courtesy of Tumblr
It’s called “Dragon, Dice and Dares” – download it and get five rounds of a Fireball-centered game. You supposedly roll dice (in-app), flip cards, slay dragons, and do a bunch of dares. All while drinking Fireball, of course.
My only issue with this is how close it sounds to Dungeons and Dragons.
7. Calorie-wise, it’s only okay.
Gif courtesy of brightestyoungthings.com
A shot of Fireball clocks in at 108 calories, but if you consider all the sugar, that’s probably not that bad. An average shot of whiskey (at 86-proof, versus Fireball’s 66 proof) is only 70 calories. And the average whiskey has a higher alcohol content, if you didn’t notice.
Then again, it’s not easy to find low-calorie drinks.
8. You can buy Fireball sauces (hot and otherwise).
Gif courtesy of Tumblr
I sincerely hope these hot sauces don’t taste like cinnamon. You can get hot sauce, BBQ sauce, or wing sauce for $5-$7 a bottle. It looks like they’re all out of stock for now, but be sure to check back in a bit. It could be a good gift for a friend who loves Fireball.
Or as a polite reminder that they never shut up about Fireball and need to stop drinking all the time to let their liver heal, for crying out loud.
9. You can also buy Fireball ear-warmers, earrings, hats or duffel bags.
Gif courtesy of hercampus.com
I guess they think a shot will burn your ears off. But seriously, their store offers all of these things (and more) for the craziest of Fireball fans. I mean, flasks are an obvious choice, but if you know an addict, anything (a shirt, a hat, or even Fireball string lights) will do.
Don’t forget the inflatable chair or the Battleship game. If you like Fireball enough, seems like you have plenty of ways to show it.