Afterburner
/

Afterburner
Cocktail recipe

Rating

3.96 / 5
Afterburner is a strong and intense cocktail that will surely leave a lasting impression. It combines the bold flavors of Sambuca, Absinthe, and Aniseed liqueur to create a complex and fiery concoction. Sambuca, a sweet and potent Italian liqueur, adds a touch of sweetness and licorice notes while Absinthe, known for its high alcohol content, contributes a bold herbal and anise flavor. The addition of Aniseed liqueur, with its distinct licorice taste, ties it all together for a powerful and dynamic drink. The combination of these ingredients creates an intense and electrifying experience that is truly one of a kind. This cocktail is not for the faint of heart and is sure to leave a lasting burn in every sip.
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sambuca
Calories
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
367 calories
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
42.67% | 3.84 units *

Shot glass

Ingredients

oz
ml
cl
Serves:
-
+
cocktail colin avatar

Cocktail Colin says:

4/5

The Afterburner is a triple-threat of anise flavors, combining Sambuca, Absinthe, and Aniseed liqueur. This cocktail is not for the faint-hearted, serving a bold, herbal punch with a distinct licorice twist that lingers with every sip.

Method
How to make a Afterburner

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Add the ingredients to a large shot glass
Stir well and serve

Power tips
Elevate the Afterburner with these master mixologist tips

Upgrade to premium

And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.

Find out more
Subscribe to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.

Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail

·  Stir  · 

Your private tasting notes

~ Register as a user for free to create tasting notes, save your bar and more ~

Can you make this?

Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.

Comments

No comments yet…

You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register

Featured in

~ Not featured in any of your lists, or any public lists, register as a user to create a list and add this cocktail. We'll then show the lists here ~

FAQ's

Alcohol content comparison icon

How does the alcohol content of the Afterburner compare to that of other popular shots?

The Afterburner has an alcohol content of approximately 42.67%, which makes it one of the stronger shot options available. This is significantly higher than many traditional shots, which can range from about 30% to 40% alcohol by volume, depending on the spirits used. Its high potency is due to the inclusion of Absinthe and Sambuca, both of which are high in alcohol content themselves.

Ingredient specifics icon

Can you explain the role of each ingredient in the Afterburner?

In the Afterburner, Sambuca adds a sweet, anise-flavored base, while Absinthe brings a herbal complexity with a slightly higher alcohol content, and the Aniseed liqueur reinforces the anise flavor, making it the dominant taste profile of the cocktail. The combination creates a shot that is both potent and flavored with a deep licorice-like taste, appealing to those who enjoy anise-flavored spirits.

Preparation techniques icon

Why is the Afterburner stirred and not shaken?

The Afterburner is stirred instead of shaken to gently combine the ingredients without diluting the cocktail with ice, as would happen with shaking. Stirring helps maintain the strong flavor and high alcohol content intact, which is a defining characteristic of this shot.

Occasion suitability icon

What type of occasions is the Afterburner best suited for?

Given its high alcohol content and bold flavor profile, the Afterburner is best suited for situations where a strong, impactful shot is desired, such as celebratory toasts, parties with close friends, or as a daring choice at bars. Its intensity makes it more of a special occasion choice rather than an everyday drink.

Customization ideas icon

Are there any popular variations or customizations for the Afterburner?

While the traditional Afterburner is quite straightforward with its three components, it can be customized by adjusting the ratios of the ingredients according to taste preference for a less intense flavor. Some add a splash of water or a few ice chips to slightly dilute the shot and soften the strong anise flavor. Others may garnish with a lemon peel or add a sugar cube to balance the bitterness.

Upgrade your mixology

Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.

  • Save your bar forever
  • Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
  • Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
  • Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
  • Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
  • Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
  • A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
  • And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)

Create your own cocktail menu!

Use our interactive cocktail menu creator for free, and create wonderful looking cocktail menus for your next party, gathering or bar.

Great looking pre-built designed themes, group your cocktails, choose what to show on them and a host more options.

Get creating
build your bar

Create a cocktail

Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.

Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.

Start creating

Build your bar

Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.

Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.

Create My Bar
build your bar light mode image