Cork doctor warns over danger of Red Bull mix

RED Bull gives you wings apparently but its partnership with Jagermeister is the one that’s flying.

The tipple of choice for many party-goers is Jagerbombs — a mixture of Red Bull and German liqueur, Jagermeister.

But emergency consultant Dr Chris Luke has warned of the dangers of the mix: “If it fuels anything, it is the overcrowding on our ED corridors.”

Sales of Jagermeister soared by 17% in Ireland last year and it grew by 33% over the Christmas trading period.

The increasingly popular Jagerbombs can be quite expensive, costing up to €15 in some pubs for two shots. They are created by dividing a can of Red Bull among two glasses and dropping a shot of Jagermeister into each. The drinker usually drinks the shot quickly.

A spokesperson for Barry & Fitzwilliam, the importers of Jagermeister to the Irish market said the drink is one of the fastest-growing spirits on the Irish market.

Corporate communications manager for Jagermeister, Bente Heesch, also said Ireland is a very good market for Jagermeister.

However, creating Jagerbombs though the mixture of Red Bull and Jagermeister spells out many dangers for drinkers.

Dr Luke said the real hazard of Red Bull and similar “energy drinks” is that it enables people to keep drinking way past their “usual” limit, with all the resulting complications such as accidents and violence, further substance use, massive calorie consumption and unplanned sex.

“If it fuels anything, it is the overcrowding on our ED corridors,” he said.

A spokesperson for Red Bull failed to come back with a comment when asked.

In Australia some areas have banned Jagerbombs from pubs and nightclubs on the basis that they encourage binge drinking and irresponsible behaviour.