Ingredients
- 12 oz Citrus Soda
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Sour Apple Schnapps
Instructions
- Pour the Vodka and DeKuyper Sour Apple Pucker into a collins glass half-filled with ice cubes. Add the can of Mountain Dew (any flavor. oriGinal preferably). stir. and serve.
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
This concoction feels like a product of the late 1990s or early 2000s, born in a college town bar or a house party where Mountain Dew and Sour Apple Pucker were readily available. It’s likely a bartender’s quick fix for a customer wanting something sweet and green, rather than a drink with a storied past. It’s a pure American dive bar classic, crafted for immediate gratification.
The Beevo Special sits firmly in the highball family, a long drink built over ice with a spirit and a non-alcoholic mixer. Its relatives include the Vodka Soda, the Madras, or even a simple Gin and Tonic. What sets it apart is the specific, almost nostalgic combination of sour apple schnapps and citrus soda, giving it a distinct, bright, and unapologetically sweet personality.
You’d typically find or serve a Beevo Special at a casual bar, a backyard barbecue, or any gathering where the vibe is relaxed and the drinks are flowing freely. It’s not a craft cocktail bar offering, nor would it likely appear on a fancy restaurant menu. This is a drink for fun, not for pretension.
What it tastes like
The first sip delivers a powerful punch of sweet citrus and tart green apple, courtesy of the soda and schnapps. The mid-palate introduces the subtle warmth of vodka, which mostly acts as a background player, allowing the fruit flavors to shine. The finish is clean and refreshing, leaving a lingering sweetness with a pleasant sour edge that encourages another sip.
With 2 ounces of 80 proof vodka and 1 ounce of 30 proof sour apple schnapps in 15 ounces of total liquid, the Beevo Special clocks in around 6.3 percent ABV. This makes it slightly stronger than a typical session beer, but significantly lighter than most standard cocktails. It’s designed to be a longer, more approachable drink that you can enjoy over time.
The technique
Building a Beevo Special is straightforward. Start with a collins glass half filled with ice. Pour in your vodka and sour apple schnapps. Top the glass off with citrus soda, ensuring you leave a little room at the top. Give it one or two gentle stirs to combine the ingredients without sacrificing too much of that precious carbonation, then serve it up.
The most important technique here is a gentle stir. Once the soda is in, you want to incorporate the spirits without flattening the drink. A quick, light rotation with a bar spoon is all it takes. Over-stirring will kill the fizz, making the drink less lively and refreshing, which defeats the purpose of a soda-based highball.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Vodka
- Use
- Any standard, unflavored vodka works well here. Brands like Smirnoff, Gordon’s, or Tito’s are solid choices. There’s no need for anything top shelf, as its flavor will be largely masked by the other ingredients.
- Skip
- Avoid flavored vodkas unless you’re intentionally creating a new variation. Also, steer clear of the cheapest rail vodka that can bring an unpleasant chemical note, even in a sweet drink.
- Why
- Vodka provides the alcoholic backbone without adding competing flavors. Its neutrality allows the sour apple and citrus soda to dominate the taste profile, making it an easy-drinking spirit base.
Sour Apple Schnapps
- Use
- DeKuyper Sour Apple Pucker is the classic choice and often what people expect. Any similar green apple liqueur that delivers a tart, sweet apple flavor will do the trick.
- Skip
- Don’t use plain apple brandy or apple schnapps that lacks the ‘sour’ component. It won’t give the drink its characteristic tart bite. Apple juice is also not a substitute, it lacks the alcoholic punch and intense flavor.
- Why
- This ingredient is the star of the show, providing the signature sweet and tart green apple flavor that defines the Beevo Special. It’s what makes the drink distinctive and memorable.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Cherry Beevo
- A darker, sweeter spin
- Swap the citrus soda for a cherry-flavored soda, like Cherry Coke or a similar brand. The cherry adds a rich, dark fruit note that plays surprisingly well with the apple.
Lemon Lime Beevo
- Bright and zesty
- Substitute the citrus soda with a lemon-lime soda and add a fresh squeeze of lime juice. This version leans into a more traditional sweet and sour profile, enhancing the drink’s zestiness.
Fruity Beevo
- Extra fruit, extra fun
- Add a half ounce of peach or raspberry schnapps alongside the sour apple. This layers in additional fruit complexity without making the drink overly complicated.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use a lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, or even club soda with a fresh lemon or lime wedge. The flavor profile will shift, but the highball structure remains.
Light rum or even a blanco tequila can work in a pinch, though they will subtly change the overall character of the drink.
A green apple liqueur will be the closest match. For a non-alcoholic sour kick, a dash of apple cider vinegar with a little simple syrup could provide a similar tang, but without the ABV.
Any tall glass, like a pint glass or a highball glass, will serve the purpose just fine. The goal is to accommodate the volume and ice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Beevo Special?
A Beevo Special contains vodka, sour apple schnapps, and citrus soda, typically served over ice in a tall glass.
Is the Beevo Special a sweet drink?
Yes, the Beevo Special is definitely on the sweeter side, with a prominent tartness from the sour apple schnapps and the sugary citrus soda.
What kind of soda should I use?
The recipe suggests Mountain Dew, preferably original, but any citrus-flavored soda will work. Experiment with different brands to find your preferred balance of sweetness and tang.
Can I make a non-alcoholic Beevo Special?
You can create a virgin version by combining non-alcoholic sour apple syrup or a splash of apple juice with a squeeze of lime, then topping with citrus soda.
Is this a strong drink?
The Beevo Special is a relatively low-proof cocktail, typically around 6 percent ABV. It’s designed for easy drinking and is less potent than many traditional cocktails.
What’s the best way to serve a Beevo Special?
Serve it in a tall glass, like a collins or highball, filled with ice. A gentle stir after adding the soda is all it needs to combine the flavors without losing fizz.
What food pairs well with a Beevo Special?
This drink pairs well with casual party foods like burgers, wings, or even sweet and sour Asian dishes. Its refreshing and fruity profile can cut through richer flavors.
Can I make a batch of Beevo Special for a party?
Absolutely. Multiply the ingredients by the number of servings, mix the vodka and schnapps in a pitcher, and add the soda just before serving to maintain carbonation. Serve over ice.
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This was a delight to make!
This was a hit with my friends!
This is definitely a crowd-pleaser!
This was a perfect treat!
I love the Beevo Specials unique combo of flavors—like a party in my mouth!
Loving the Beevo Special! The honey twist adds a sweet kick to my night. Cheers!
Wow, the Beevo Special is a tasty twist! Love the unexpected kick of ginger. Cheers!
Wow, the Beevo Special is a tropical delight! Perfect for beach vibes and chill nights.
I never thought of mixing honey and lavender in a cocktail! Beevo Special rocks!
Wow, the Beevo Special is pure magic in a glass! Cheers! 🍹
Wow, the Beevo Special is a game-changer! Love the refreshing twist with honey and mint!
Wow, the Beevo Special is a flavor explosion! Love the unexpected combo of ingredients. Cheers!
Wow, the Beevo Special is a flavor explosion! Love the unexpected kick of ginger.