Flaming Moe: How to Make the Signature Drink from The Simpsons

The search for alcohol (and sometimes the desperation it brings) has led Homer Simpson into some very strange situations. From licking under the seats at football stadiums to becoming “the beer baron”, Homer seems to have no limits. One of the most memorable cases is the accidental invention of the “Flaming Homer” drink, quickly stolen by Moe and turned into “Flaming Moe”. Several beverage enthusiasts have tried to reproduce its formula, and today we’re going to share one of the most interesting versions… without cough syrup, of course.

Another unbearable visit from Patty and Selma, the boredom of their slides, the last beer disappearing. Homer needs something to survive the experience, and he becomes a master of improvisation by combining tequila, crème de menthe, schnapps, Krusty brand cough syrup, and two or three more liqueurs. A pinch of ash from Patty’s cigarette falls into the mix, and thus the “Flaming Homer” was born.

The rest is history: In a moment of scarcity, Homer shares the recipe with Moe, Moe steals it (no surprise there), renames it “Flaming Moe”, and everything ends as it began. A typical Simpsons episode, right? However, for fans of the series who invent words and consume alcoholic beverages with some frequency, the Flaming Homer/Moe has become a kind of Holy Grail and a source of experimentation at the same time.

The How To Drink Version

The version from the How To Drink channel on YouTube takes some logical liberties. For example, Homer uses a blender only for liquids (without adding ice or fruits) which doesn’t make much sense, and there’s no problem eliminating it from the equation. The cough syrup is technically a medication, so it would be crazy to recommend it in a “YouTube edition”. The final list includes the following:

• A dash of absinthe
• Two dashes of Angostura bitters
• 15 ml. of grenadine
• 15 ml. of Punt e Mes
• 8 ml. of Chambord liqueur
• 8 ml. of Drambuie liqueur
• 30 ml. of rye whiskey
• 30 ml. of white Barbancourt rum
• Ice
• Shake and serve

The last part includes a sugar cube on fire (soaked in lemon extract) floating on a “boat” made with lime, and a small cinnamon storm. In honor of the original drink, the host of the channel (Greg) decided to serve his Flaming Moe in a beer mug with a straw... causing an accident. The mug fell on his foot, and he ended up with a broken toe.

In short, there’s plenty of room to experiment. Some of the mentioned liqueurs are very expensive, and if you want to replace them, go ahead. Just try not to end up too drunk (?), and don’t even think about driving after something like that.