What is a Snakebite Drink?
A snake bite beer is a mixed drink which combines equal parts hard apple cider and beer as its ingredients. It is served in a pint glass and without ice - in the spirit of other popular beer cocktails.
The libation is original to the United Kingdom where it became popular in pubs in the 1980s and is still enjoyed today, mostly favored by younger patrons. No one seems to know exactly how it got its name, but bar stories abound.
There are several variations and some of them are also known by alternative names - we look at how to mix them below.
NOTE: The snakebite drink is not to be confused with the snake bite shot. A shot snake bite starts with the warmth of whiskey, brightens it with the acidity of citrus and incorporates the spicy kick of hot sauce.
What Does the Snake Bite Drink Taste like?
Essentially a mixture of a fermented fruit drink and a hops bittered fermented grain drink a snake bite drink is quite light and easy to imbibe.
Depending on your tolerance for sweetness you might say that it tastes balanced, sweet or even overly sweet. The apple essence punch of the hard cider is of course diluted.
With the lager version the added carbonation makes the mixed drink taste very bright and refreshing.
The Guinness version is richer and the bitter notes of the roasted barley create a much more elegant flavor profile than cider can attain on its own.
How to Mix Snakebite with Lager
Hard apple cider with lager beer is the classic Snake bite cocktail.
- Begin by filling a pint glass half way with cider.
- Next top with lager.
Snake Bite Black
When a couple of dashes of blackcurrant liqueur is added to the cider and lager version of snakebite the resulting drink is known as snakebite and black in the UK.
Alternative names for the cocktail are diesel (not to be confused with the German beer cocktail by the same name combining coke and lager) and a purple nasty.
As a side note to that last name - many say that because the libation becomes so sweet when the fruit syrup is added the hangovers associated with it are quite unpleasant.
How to Mix Snake Bite with Guinness
The cider and Irish stout version of the beer cocktail is popular mostly in the US and is very similar to black velvet cocktail or black and tan beer in that Guinness is layered on top of the hard cider to float in contrast to its lighter color.
To mix this variation of the cocktail:
- First fill a pint glass halfway with cider.
- Next use the back of a spoon to deflect a steady pour of Guinness stout on top. Hold the spoon at an angle and position it near the rim of the glass versus the center to minimize the possibility of spills.
Alternatively, you can use a layering tool or the special Guinness black and tan spoon.
NOTE: The reason the Guinness floats on top of the cider layer is its lower density.
Irish stouts are typically much lighter than cider as their alcoholic content is lower - i.e. they have lower specific gravity.
Cider contains more sugars which make it denser. In essence it supports the lighter stout.
Snakebite Shooter
A snakebite shot is different from the two-ingredient drink discussed above. It is made by mixing 1 ½ ounces Yukon Jack, Canadian whiskey made with honey, in a cocktail shaker with a bit of lime juice. It is then served in a shot glass.
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Recipe
Snakebite Drink Classic Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz hard apple cider
- 12 oz lager or dry Irish stout such as Guinness
- dash of blackcurrant cordial optional
Instructions
CIDER & LAGER SNAKEBITE DRINK
- Divide the cider between two pint glasses.
- Top with the lager (6 oz per glass) and enjoy.
- OPTIONAL: To make Snakebite & Black add a dash of blackcurrant cordial to the above.
CIDER & STOUT SNAKEBITE DRINK
- Divide the cider between two pint glasses.
- Top with stout. Use the back of a spoon to deflect the stout as you slowly and steadily pour it over the cider. Position the spoon near the rim of the glass. Alternatively use a layering tool to pour the stout.
Katherine | Love In My Oven
I think I've been drinking snakebites for the last few years without knowing they were called snakebites!! Hah! Apple cider and beer is perfect together. I find cider too sweet on its own, so the mix of beer is just perfect.
CraftBeering
Too funny:) Absolutely agree with you that cider alone is way too sweet. We also cannot drink it unless it is mixed with some beer:)
Leanne
You guys really are my go-to for all things beer - recipes and cocktails! I can't tell you how many times I've finished reading your blog post and then sent it on to my hubby! I've never heard of a snakebite so I'm pretty sure I've been living under a rock. Sounds like a cocktail for me and the hubs to whip up this weekend! Have a good one!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
I've heard of a snakebite before and always thought it was a cute name, but I never knew exactly what it was. Thank you for the education! It sounds like a lovely drink to enjoy this time of year!