Is a Jagerbomb More Dangerous Than a Gin and Tonic?

For better or worse, both Jägerbombs and gin and tonics are popular choices on a night out. Judging by the name — JägerBOMB— you might suspect that the first is more dangerous. The second, on the other hand, sounds vaguely like a health drink. 

But what is the reality behind each one? Is a Jägerbomb more dangerous than a gin and tonic? Before you get caught up worrying about “how many Jägerbombs will kill you,” let’s take a deep breath and look at the facts. While Jägerbombs are, indeed, a bit more dangerous than gin and tonics due to the caffeine content, ultimately it all comes down to how much alcohol we end up consuming.

Jägerbomb vs. Gin and Tonic: Understanding the Contenders

Before we take a closer look at the contenders, there’s one key fact to understand about them: both have alcohol — and a lot of it, at that. The CDC recommends an upper limit of two drinks per day for men and one for women and defines excessive drinking as five or more (and four or more) on a single occasion. 

Drinking too much can have a number of short- and long-term consequences on our body and mind:

• Our judgment takes a hit. Because alcohol temporarily slows down our prefrontal cortex, the decisions we make under the influence — whatever our beverage of choice might be — are usually not the best.
• Our sleep gets disrupted. Whether we’re throwing back Jägerbombs or sipping on gin and tonics, we’re likely to wake up groggy and miss out on the restorative REM sleep phase.
• Depression and anxiety get worse. Ever heard of “hangxiety”? The disruption in neurotransmitter levels in our brain leads to bouts of morning-after anxiety and blues.
• We risk serious health problems over time. Excessive drinking can cause liver and heart problems and even contribute to many types of cancers. 

There are many other adverse outcomes from drinking alcohol, but for now, let’s take a closer look at the components and effects of Jägerbombs and gin and tonics in particular.

Inside the Jägerbomb

The infamous Jägerbomb has two main ingredients:

• Jägermeister: an herbal liqueur containing 56 different herbs, fruits, roots, and spices.
• An energy drink: typically contains large amounts of caffeine and sugar (such as Red Bull).

After exploring each component individually, we’ll see what happens when we mix them.

How Bad is a Jägerbomb? “As Bad as Cocaine”

Why is mixing caffeine and alcohol such a bad idea? There are a few reasons:

• The "wide-awake drunk" phenomenon. As an upper, caffeine tends to mask the effects of booze, making us feel less drunk than we are. The result? We set ourselves on the fast track to alcohol-related accidents and possible alcohol poisoning (not to mention all those late-night phone calls or impromptu table dances we might later regret). Moreover, despite the rumors that suggest otherwise, the CDC reports that “caffeine has no effect on the metabolism of alcohol by the liver and thus does not reduce breath or blood alcohol concentrations (it does not ‘sober you up’) or reduce impairment due to alcohol consumption.”
• Increased risk of binge drinking. Studies show that mixing alcohol and caffeine can also contribute to binge drinking. Because we end up feeling less drunk than we actually are, we are more likely to continue way past the point of intoxication. (Part of the effect is also cultural — we’re less likely to sip Jägerbombs “mindfully” and often throw them back one after another). 
• Heart strain. Studies show that energy drinks are particularly hard on the heart. Alcohol by itself also isn’t all that heart-friendly — it can lead to heart palpitations, arrhythmia, blood pressure fluctuations, and, in severe cases, cardiomyopathy. (For a deeper look, check out our blog:  “Is It Safe To Mix Alcohol and Energy Drinks?”).

According to scientists from Purdue University, all of this put together makes Jägerbombs “as bad for your health as taking cocaine.” The mix not only affects your heart but also your brain. In fact, the mixture can quickly alter our brain neurochemistry, much like cocaine does.  

As for “how many Jägerbombs will kill you”? There’s no exact amount, and they’re not inherently “deadly” in their own right. That said, they do make it more likely that we end up drinking too much — and alcohol poisoning can have a lethal effect.

Inside Gin and Tonic

Now, what about the good old gin and tonic? Is it a safe alternative? Yes and no. 

First, let’s take a deeper look inside at the ingredients and their nutritional content.

• Gin. This distilled alcoholic drink derives its predominant flavor from juniper berries. A single shot (1.5 ounces) has about 97 calories. Unlike Jägermeister, it’s sugar-free but is slightly higher in ABV (alcohol by volume) — about 40%.
• Tonic water. Tonic water is a carbonated soft drink made from quinine. While it helps a bit with hydration, it also adds sugar to the drink.

At first glance, it looks like gin and tonic is a healthier choice — and in many ways, it might be. But there’s more to the story.

Gin and Tonic: Not That Innocent Either

While there might be fewer obvious disadvantages when comparing a gin and tonic to a Jägerbomb, that’s true of most drinks when pitted against a liquor-loaded Red Bull. In reality, a gin and tonic isn’t as “pure” as it looks:

• It looks deceptively “light.” Despite looking like water and having the word “tonic” (rather than “bomb” in the name), a gin and tonic isn’t all that harmless. This drink is very strong and contains more alcohol than a Jägerbomb.
• “Tonic” sounds deceptively healthy. Even by itself, tonic water isn’t necessarily the “health drink” that it sounds like. Research sheds light on the negative effects of quinine, which has been touted for its supposed health benefits (and even used to treat malaria) for generations. 
• Tonic water has hidden calories. Not to be confused with sparkling water, tonic water clocks in at about 124 calories per can — more than a Red Bull!
• Gin shares all the health hazards of alcohol. Just as other alcoholic beverages — especially hard liquors — gin comes with many of the potential health hazards we touched on earlier. While some point to the health benefits of juniper berries as a redeeming factor, the reality is that most of their antioxidant properties are lost in the production process.

As we can see, the “tonic” might be a bit healthier than the “bomb,” but not by much. It certainly comes with its own set of potential hazards.

Jägerbomb vs. Gin and Tonic: The Verdict

In the end, both Jägerbombs and gin and tonics have their dangers. Still, the risks of mixing energy drinks with alcohol are significant enough to earn the first contender the “more dangerous” label. Gin and tonic, on the other hand, “wins” in terms of having fewer immediate dangers.

That said, it’s crucial to keep in mind that both are alcoholic drinks, which automatically puts them in the risky beverage category. Both are based on liquors that are high in ABV (especially gin), and both come with risks to our physical, mental, and emotional health.

Tips To Sip Safely

Given the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption in general, it’s wise to err on the side of safety when it comes to booze. Here are some tips for the journey:

1. Watch your intake. Regardless of what you choose to drink, try to set a limit and stick to it. Be mindful of your intake by using an accountability buddy (or an app such as Reframe!). Alternating each drink with water (or a non-alcoholic option) can also help.
2. Avoid mixing booze and caffeine. While no alcohol is safe, especially in large amounts, mixing booze and caffeinated drinks adds another level of danger. So while Jägerbombs might be all the rage in some circles, they aren’t the healthiest choice in the long run.
3. Explore mocktails. If interesting flavors are your thing, why not give mocktails a try? You might discover a new favorite!
4. Branch out into herbal teas. Intrigued by the herbal mix in Jägermeister? Exploring herbs and their flavors doesn’t have to come with a hangover the next day. Why not dive into the world of herbs in a safer way by exploring the many flavors of teas out there? From calming chamomile to refreshing hibiscus or zesty lemongrass, there’s something for everyone!

Keep these tips in mind and remember — there’s so much more to your night out than what’s in your glass. Focus on soaking in the joy of laughter with friends, authentic connections, and adventures to remember!

Have Fun, but Stay Safe

Our daily choices matter, and when it comes to choosing between a Jägerbomb and a gin and tonic, it’s helpful to look at the science behind each in making our decision. It’s also crucial to keep the bigger picture in mind so that a fun night out doesn’t turn into a dangerous one, regardless of which drink you choose. Instead, focus on nourishing and taking care of your body. We’re cheering you on and are here to support you every step of the way!