Hayden Panettiere rubbed elbows this week with 2012’s biggest country stars as the host of Saturday’s CMT Artists of the Year special, and a run-in with a certain red solo cup-wielding singer left the biggest impression.

When Nashville star, who co-hosted the event with Rascal Flatts, crossed paths with Toby Keith on the Artists of the Year red carpet, she got a taste of what the country megastar keeps inside.

“What’s in the cup?” Hayden asked, according to People magazine.

Toby offered the actress a big sip, which revealed Toby’s AOTY drink of choice was whiskey.

“Yeaaah! I’ve got Fireball in the trailer,” Hayden responded.

See how those whiskey ways impacted Hayden’s hosting when the 2012 CMT Artists of the Year premieres Saturday at 10/9c only on CMT.