Snake Bite Black GTI

The Snake Bite Black GTI is a boozier take on the classic pub staple. It adds a shot of vodka to the traditional cider, lager, and blackcurrant mix, making for a potent, sweet, and fruity pint. This is the drink for when you want the familiar taste of a Snake Bite Black but need a faster ride to tipsy. It is a casual, no-fuss pour for those nights out when you are not messing around.

Snake Bite Black GTI

4.73 from 11 votes

Calories: 148kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 2 oz Vodka
▢ 6 0.5 oz Cider Beer
▢ 6 0.5 oz Larger Beer
▢ 1 oz Blackcurrant Squash

Instructions

▢
Pour Vodka into a pint glass. Add both cider and lager and fill with blackcurrant squash. Stir briefly and serve.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 148kcal (7%)Carbohydrates: 2g (1%)Sugar: 2g (2%)

Where it came from

The original Snake Bite Black is a British pub classic, a simple mix of cider, lager, and blackcurrant cordial. It likely emerged in the late 20th century as a popular way to make cheap beer more palatable and potent. The ‘GTI’ addition is a modern twist, a nod to souped-up car models, indicating extra power.

This drink sits squarely in the beer cocktail family, alongside simple pours like the Shandy or the Boilermaker. Unlike a standard Snake Bite, the ‘Black’ denotes the inclusion of blackcurrant, and the ‘GTI’ signifies the vodka kick. It is a step up in complexity and strength from its simpler relatives.

You are most likely to encounter a Snake Bite Black GTI in a student bar, at a casual pub, or as a pre-drinks option before a big night out. It is a utilitarian drink designed for effect and flavor, rather than for a sophisticated cocktail lounge setting. It is a party starter, plain and simple.

What it tastes like

The taste profile opens with a sweet and tart burst of blackcurrant, quickly followed by the crisp apple notes of cider. The middle palate introduces the malty, slightly bitter characteristics of lager, which provides a welcome counterpoint to the fruit. The finish is boozy and sweet, with the vodka adding a warming kick that lingers.

With 2 ounces of vodka, plus 13 ounces of beer, this drink packs a significant punch. Assuming a 40 percent ABV vodka and 5 percent ABV for the beers, you are looking at roughly 9 percent ABV for the entire 16 ounce drink. That is nearly double the strength of a standard pint of lager, making it a surprisingly potent pour that should be approached with respect.

The technique

Building a Snake Bite Black GTI is straightforward. Start with the vodka in a pint glass, as it is the densest liquid. Next, gently pour in the cider and lager simultaneously or sequentially to fill the glass, taking care to minimize excessive foaming. Finish with a generous pour of blackcurrant squash, then give it a brief, gentle stir to combine without losing too much carbonation.

The most important technique here is the gentle pour and minimal stir. Dumping in the beer or over-stirring will flatten the drink, killing the carbonation that gives it life. You want to integrate the flavors without turning it into a flat, boozy syrup. A slow pour down the side of the glass helps preserve those bubbles.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Vodka

Use: A standard neutral vodka like Smirnoff, Absolut, or Gordon’s works best. You want a clean spirit that does not introduce conflicting flavors.
Skip: Flavored vodkas will clash with the blackcurrant and beer notes. Avoid anything with a strong botanical or citrus profile.
Why: The vodka provides the alcoholic backbone and a noticeable kick without altering the core sweet and fruity beer flavors. It is the ‘GTI’ component.

Blackcurrant Squash

Use: A good quality blackcurrant squash or cordial, such as Ribena, is ideal. Its concentrated fruit flavor and sweetness are key.
Skip: Blackcurrant liqueur is generally too sweet and viscous for this application, and will unbalance the drink’s texture and overall sweetness.
Why: This ingredient is essential for the ‘Black’ in the name, delivering the signature sweet and tart fruit notes that define the drink.

Three Variations

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

Snake Bite Black

The original pub classic, no vodka.: This is the base drink, a simple mix of equal parts cider and lager with a splash of blackcurrant squash. It is less potent but equally refreshing.

Snake Bite

Just cider and lager, no blackcurrant.: Omitting the blackcurrant leaves you with a straight Snake Bite, a simple beer cocktail that highlights the crispness of cider and the maltiness of lager.

Depth Charge

A different kind of kick.: For a different flavor profile but similar concept, try adding a shot of Jägermeister instead of vodka. It adds a herbal, bitter edge to the beer mix.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Vodka?

Just make a regular Snake Bite Black. Or, for a different twist, try adding a shot of a spiced rum for a warmer flavor.

No Cider Beer?

Use all lager, or a pear cider for a slightly different fruit note. A fruit-flavored beer could also work in a pinch.

No Larger Beer?

Use all cider. The drink will be fruitier and less malty, but still enjoyable.

No Blackcurrant Squash?

Use blackcurrant cordial or even grenadine, though the flavor profile will shift to a more generic berry sweetness.

No Pint Glass?

Any large drinking glass will work. Just adjust the ingredient quantities proportionally to fit your chosen vessel.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

What is in a Snake Bite Black GTI?

A Snake Bite Black GTI contains vodka, cider beer, lager beer, and blackcurrant squash.

Why is it called Snake Bite Black GTI?

The ‘Snake Bite Black’ refers to the mix of cider, lager, and blackcurrant. The ‘GTI’ is a playful addition, implying it is a souped-up, more powerful version due to the added vodka.

What does Snake Bite Black GTI taste like?

It tastes sweet and tart from the blackcurrant, with crisp apple notes from the cider, a malty backbone from the lager, and a noticeable boozy kick from the vodka.

Is Snake Bite Black GTI strong?

Yes, it is significantly stronger than a standard pint of beer. With 2 ounces of vodka in a 16 ounce drink, it can be around 9 percent ABV.

What is the difference between a Snake Bite and a Snake Bite Black?

A Snake Bite is typically just a mix of equal parts cider and lager. A Snake Bite Black adds blackcurrant squash or cordial to that mix.

What is the difference between a Snake Bite Black and a Snake Bite Black GTI?

A Snake Bite Black GTI adds a shot of vodka to the traditional Snake Bite Black recipe, increasing its alcoholic strength.

Can I make a non-alcoholic Snake Bite Black GTI?

You can make a non-alcoholic version by using non-alcoholic cider and lager, and omitting the vodka. The blackcurrant squash remains the same.

What kind of glass should I use for a Snake Bite Black GTI?

A standard pint glass is the traditional and most practical choice for this long drink, allowing plenty of room for all ingredients and some head.

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