Snakebite (beer cocktail)

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For other uses, see Snakebite (disambiguation).

Facts at a glance

Snakebite
Type:	Beer cocktail
Primary alcohol by volume:	Beer
Served:	"Straight up"; without ice
Standard drinkware:	Pint glass
Commonly used ingredients:	One part Beer One part Cider
Preparation:	Mixed in equal volumes in a standard beer glass

Snakebite is a cocktail made from cider (the alcoholic drink known as hard cider in the United States) and lager beer.

Contents 1 Basic snakebite 2 Common misconceptions 3 Availability 4 Variations 4.1 With blackcurrant cordial 4.2 With stout 4.3 Unblended variations 4.4 With grenadine 4.5 With stronger beer 4.6 With distilled spirits 4.7 With Blue Sourz 4.8 A Student Favourite

[edit] Basic snakebite

The basic snakebite is a mixture of equal parts of lager and cider (or alternatively a 1:2 mix), typically served in pint or half-pint servings. Though it is often served mixed, some variants "float" the beer atop the cider in separate layers.

[edit] Common misconceptions

There are several common misconceptions associated with the Snakebite.

• The lager and cider will ferment after they are combined and create a more alcoholic drink- While it would be theoretically possible for this to occur, most commercially produced beer and cider has no active yeast in the final product. If any live yeast did remain, it could only produce trace amounts of alcohol in the time that it would take to consume the beverage.

• A Snakebite will get you drunker than either lager or cider separately- No chemical reaction occurs by mixing the two ingredients which has any noticeable physiological effects on the consumer. This misconception is probably the result of the sweeter and smoother combination causing the consumer to drink more alcohol faster than they typically would.

[edit] Availability

In some jurisdictions, places that serve beers, wines, or ciders require an additional or different liquor license to serve mixed drinks. As a result, some bars and pubs do not serve snakebites, stating it would be illegal to do so. Others sell the individual components for the drink, but will not served them mixed.

However, it is far more common for a proprietor to refuse to serve snakebites because some people tend to drink them quickly and become drunk and belligerent, rather than there being a legal prohibition against it.

In June, 2001, former U.S. President Bill Clinton was refused the drink when he ordered one at a pub in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.[1]

[edit] Variations

[edit] With blackcurrant cordial

In the Snakebite and Black (confusingly also known as Snakebite, Diesel, Snakey B, Purple Nasty, Purple, Black, or Red Beer) variation, a shot of blackcurrant cordial (or crème de cassis) is added to the lager and cider. Alternative variations can be made by using Bénédictine or green Chartreuse liqueurs. With or without blackcurrant cordial, this version of snakebite or snakebite and black is stereotypically associated with several post-punk subcultures, most notably Goth. Purple Nasty/Snakey B is the drink of choice for field hockey players, especially during hockey festivals.

[edit] With stout

The name snakebite is commonly mistakenly applied to a combination of stout (often Guinness ) and cider. This is properly referred to as a Poor Man's Black Velvet.

[edit] Unblended variations

A variation on the Snakebite involves not blending the beer and cider, such that the two ingredients form distinct layers in the glass. This is commonly done by pouring the first layer into the glass and then pouring the remaining ingredient onto a bent spoon held just above the rising top of the liquid. A Black Adder is cider on the bottom, stout on the top. A Crown Float is a branded version of this with Strongbow cider on the bottom and Guinness stout on the top.

[edit] With grenadine

In the popular Australia backpacker pub, Scubar, a Snakebite consists of beer and grenadine only. This concoction was created by David McNeill and is available in many other Australian pubs.^{[citation needed]} This same mixture is commonly called a "grenadine" or a "Monaco" in the French-speaking parts of Europe.^{[citation needed]} It is also known as "grena-beer" or "Christmas beer."

[edit] With stronger beer

A higher-alcohol version of the snakebite, known by names such as deadly diesel or super snakebite is made by combining a super lager with an ABV of at least 8% (usually Special Brew or Tennent's Super) with a cheap cider such as White Lightning.

[edit] With distilled spirits

Another variation (snakebite with venom, poison snakebite, turbo diesel) involves adding a shot of a spirit to the mix (usually vodka). Vodka can also be added to the Snakebite and Black variant, this is generally know as a Turbo Snakebite and Black or a Snakebite and Black GTI

[edit] With Blue Sourz

Known for its very high alcohol content. Commonly referred to as a "Blue Mod" or an, "I Went Back in Time and Voted For Hitler", especially in the North East of England. In the United States, it is known as a "Jason Squire Surprise".^{[citation needed]}

[edit] A Student Favourite

With the addition of 1 shot Midori melon liqueur and 1 shot Blue Curacao, and a little stirring, a snakebite becomes a Green Monster. Popular in student bars across Britain, the "green monster" derives its name from its bright green appearance.^{[citation needed]}

Popular drink at the London School of Economics.