Creme de Spooge

The Creme de Spooge is a straightforward two-part mix, hitting the sweet spot between a bitter beer and creamy soda. It is less a craft cocktail and more a casual, low-fuss pour. Expect to see this ordered by those looking for something easy on the palate, perhaps after a shift, or as a quick party starter. It is definitely an acquired taste for some, but surprisingly drinkable for others.

Creme de Spooge

4.53 from 17 votes

Calories: 72kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 1 Part(s) Bitter Beer
▢ 1 Part(s) Cream Soda

Instructions

▢
Mix half a beer with half of a cream soda.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 72kcal (4%)Carbohydrates: 2g (1%)Sugar: 2g (2%)

Where it came from

Given its simple build and playful name, the Creme de Spooge likely originated in a casual setting, perhaps a college dorm room or a dive bar where ingredients were readily available and experimentation was low-stakes. It is not a classic cocktail with a documented history, but rather a late 20th century or early 21st century bar trick or party concoction.

This drink sits squarely in the broad “beer cocktail” family, alongside things like a Shandy or a Black Velvet. Unlike those, which often incorporate citrus or a distinct spirit, the Creme de Spooge focuses solely on the contrast and blend of bitter beer with a sweet, creamy soda. It is a straightforward two-ingredient pour, lacking the complexity of more traditional beer mixes.

You would not find this on a curated cocktail menu. This is a backyard BBQ staple, a house party go-to, or a late-night order at a no-frills bar. It is the kind of drink you make when you have limited ingredients and want something beyond a straight beer, offering a quick, palatable departure from the usual.

What it tastes like

The initial taste delivers the sweetness and vanilla notes of the cream soda, quickly followed by the hoppy bitterness of the beer. The mid-palate is a creamy, effervescent blend of both, with the soda softening the beer’s edge. The finish is a lingering interplay of sweet and bitter, with the cream soda coating the palate slightly, making it surprisingly smooth.

Assuming a typical bitter beer is around 5% ABV, and cream soda is non-alcoholic, mixing them in equal parts results in a drink around 2.5% ABV. This is significantly lower than a standard cocktail, which typically ranges from 15-25% ABV, and half the strength of the beer used. It is a light, sessionable drink designed for easy consumption.

The technique

Building a Creme de Spooge is about as simple as it gets. Grab a pint glass or similar tall vessel. Pour in your bitter beer, then gently top with the cream soda. The key is to achieve an even mix without losing too much carbonation. A brief stir with a bar spoon can help marry the ingredients, but often the pour itself is enough. Serve it up immediately, cold.

The one technique tip that matters most for this drink is the pour. Always pour the cream soda slowly down the side of the glass, or over the back of a spoon, to minimize excessive foaming. If you just dump it in, you will end up with a huge head of foam and a flat, uninspired drink.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Bitter Beer

Use: A standard IPA, Pale Ale, or even a classic English Bitter works well. Think Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Boddington’s Pub Ale, or any local craft IPA that leans into a solid hoppy bitterness. Around 5-6% ABV is ideal.
Skip: Do not use a stout, porter, or a heavily flavored fruit beer. Their profiles will clash rather than complement the cream soda, creating an unbalanced and muddled taste that misses the point.
Why: The bitter component is essential. It cuts through the sweetness of the cream soda, providing the necessary contrast that makes the drink interesting and prevents it from being cloying. Without it, the drink is just sweet soda and flat beer.

Cream Soda

Use: Any good quality cream soda will do the trick. Brands like A&W, Barq’s, or even a premium craft cream soda work perfectly. The key is a distinct vanilla and sweet profile.
Skip: Avoid diet sodas or anything artificially flavored. The artificial sweeteners will taste off with the beer, and the body will be too thin. Do not use ginger ale or root beer; they change the flavor profile entirely.
Why: Cream soda provides the “cream” in the name, delivering a sweet, vanilla-forward base that softens the beer’s edges. It is crucial for the drink’s unique texture and its characteristic flavor profile.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Dirty Spooge

A boozier, darker take.: Add a half-ounce splash of dark rum or whiskey to the mix for an extra alcoholic kick and a deeper flavor dimension.

Fruity Spooge

A sweet, berry-infused twist.: Introduce a small dash of cherry or raspberry syrup before mixing. This adds a layer of fruit sweetness that plays well with the vanilla and bitter notes.

Spiced Spooge

Aromatic and complex.: Add a few dashes of Angostura bitters or use a spiced rum in place of a plain dark rum for a more aromatic and complex flavor profile.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Bitter Beer?

A light lager could work in a pinch, but be aware the drink will lose its characteristic bitter edge and become much sweeter.

No Cream Soda?

Vanilla soda or even a very sweet ginger ale could offer a different, but somewhat similar, sweet counterpoint. The “cream” aspect will be lost.

No pint glass?

Any tall drinking glass will do. The exact vessel is not critical for this simple mix, so use what you have on hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a Creme de Spooge?

A Creme de Spooge is a simple two-ingredient drink made with equal parts bitter beer and cream soda.

Is Creme de Spooge alcoholic?

Yes, it is alcoholic as it contains beer. However, it is about half the strength of the beer used.

What does a Creme de Spooge taste like?

It tastes like a sweet, creamy, vanilla-infused beer with a pleasant bitter finish. It is surprisingly balanced for a simple mix.

Is Creme de Spooge a classic cocktail?

No, it is a simple mixed drink or a casual concoction, not a traditional or classic cocktail with a long history.

What kind of beer should I use?

A bitter beer like an IPA, Pale Ale, or a classic English Bitter works best to provide a necessary contrast to the sweet cream soda.

Can I use diet cream soda?

It is not recommended. Artificial sweeteners will negatively impact the flavor and mouthfeel, making the drink taste thin and artificial.

How strong is a Creme de Spooge?

It is typically around 2.5% ABV, making it about half the strength of a standard beer and much lighter than most cocktails.

Can I make a non-alcoholic version?

Yes, you can make a non-alcoholic Creme de Spooge by using a non-alcoholic bitter beer mixed with cream soda.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read