Vodka Red Bull Mixed Drink

Vodka red bull cocktail with ice in a highball glass

The Spruce Eats

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 drink

Love it or hate it, the Vodka Red Bull is one of the most popular drinks of our time. It owes its fame to the energy drink craze that began with Red Bull in the early 2000s. While it has lost a bit of steam, it is still a drink that many people seek out. Do keep in mind, however, this beverage does come with some warnings.

There is no real trick to the Vodka Red Bull—it is one of the easiest vodka mixed drinks you will find. Simply pour a shot of vodka, fill the glass with ice and the energy drink, and enjoy.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces vodka

  • 1 (8.4-ounce) can Red Bull energy drink

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for vodka Red Bull cocktail recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats

  2. Pour the vodka into a highball glass filled with ice.

    Vodka poured into highball glass with ice

    The Spruce Eats

  3. Fill with Red Bull. Serve and enjoy.

How Strong Is the Vodka Red Bull?

The alcohol content of a Vodka Red Bull is relatively low, weighing in at around 13 percent ABV (26 proof) if you stick to a 2-ounce pour of 80-proof vodka. If you pour more vodka or less than 4 ounces of Red Bull, it will become a much stronger drink.


The amount of alcohol in the Vodka Red Bull is not the biggest concern, however. From a health and safety standpoint, it is the mixture of alcohol and energy drink that can cause serious issues.

Alcohol and Energy Drinks: A Precaution

There is a precaution that should be noted about any mixed drink that combines liquor and an energy drink. Alcohol is a depressant, and the energy drink is a stimulant; combining these two into a single drink can have adverse effects and even lead to serious problems.


The Primary problem is that the ingredients in the energy drink can mask the effects of alcohol. This can lead you to drink more than you'd like because you don't realize how intoxicated you really are.

You're wired, you feel like you have all the energy in the world, and you want to party all night. Two studies have shown that this combination can be detrimental. A 2008 study of college students by Wake Forest University found that students who drank energy drinks with alcohol were more likely than their non-energy drinking peers to get into trouble. This includes drunk driving or getting in the car with someone who's had too much to drink and an increase in risky sexual behavior. A study released in 2014 from Northern Kentucky University also links risky behavior and possible alcohol dependence with the combination of alcohol and energy drinks.


Scientific studies are not alone in their warnings. In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent warning letters to producers of many caffeinated malt beverages. Shortly after this, the majority of these drinks left the market. In the complaints, the FDA also noted the possibility of alcohol poisoning because drinkers don't realize how much they're consuming.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
147 Calories
0g Fat
5g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 147
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 15mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 8mg 38%
Calcium 0mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 4mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
Article Sources
The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. O'Brien MC, Mccoy TP, Rhodes SD, Wagoner A, Wolfson M. Caffeinated cocktails: energy drink consumption, high-risk drinking, and alcohol-related consequences among college students. Acad Emerg Med. 2008;15(5):453-60.  doi:10.1111/j.1553-2712.2008.00085.x

  2. Marczinski CA. Combined alcohol and energy drink use: hedonistic motives, adenosine, and alcohol dependence. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2014;38(7):1822-5.  doi:10.1111/acer.12493

  3. US Food & Drug Administration. Caffeinated alcoholic beverages. November 17, 2010.