Vodka Red Bull (also known as Vodka and Red Bull, VARB, RBV, VRB, VKRB, Speedball or Vod-Bomb) is an alcoholic beverage consisting of energy drink Red Bull and varying amounts of vodka. It is popular among 18- to 30-year olds in bars and nightclubs around the world. Red Bull has been used as mixer in Europe since the 1990s, but the drink became especially popular in North America in the 21st century.
The ratio of Red Bull to Vodka varies but is usually around 3:1. In some places it is customary to serve an entire can with a single shot of vodka; in others, a can may be split between several glasses, each containing several shots of vodka. The Red Bull dominates so that the flavour of the alcohol is not too strong.
Caffeinated alcoholic energy drinks can be hazardous as caffeine can mask the influence of alcohol and may lead a person to misinterpret their actual level of intoxication. However, in 2012 the scientific review paper "Energy drinks mixed with alcohol:misconception, myths and facts" has been published. This review discusses the available scientific evidence on the effects of mixing energy drinks with alcohol. The authors note that excessive and irresponsible consumption of alcoholic drinks has adverse effects on human health and behaviour, but it should be clear that this is due to the alcohol, and not the mixer. They concluded that there is no consistent evidence that energy drinks alter the perceived level of intoxication of people who mix energy drinks with alcohol and found no evidence that co-consumption of energy drinks causes increased alcohol consumption.
In 2001 it was reported in Sweden that two people died after drinking Vodka Red Bull. The Swedish National Food Administration was investigating and as a result continued to permit the sale of Red Bull.
Famous quotes containing the words vodka, red and/or bull:
“A medium Vodka dry Martini—with a slice of lemon peel. Shaken and not stirred, please. I would prefer Russian or Polish vodka.”
—Ian Fleming (1908–1964)
“With two sons born eighteen months apart, I operated mainly on automatic pilot through the ceaseless activity of their early childhood. I remember opening the refrigerator late one night and finding a roll of aluminum foil next to a pair of small red tennies. Certain that I was responsible for the refrigerated shoes, I quickly closed the door and ran upstairs to make sure I had put the babies in their cribs instead of the linen closet.”
—Mary Kay Blakely (20th century)
“Not only the bull attacks his enemies with curved horn, but also the sheep, when harmed fights back.”
—Propertius Sextus (c. 50–16 B.C.)