Snakebite And Black

The Snakebite And Black is a pub workhorse, a simple mix of lager, cider, and a splash of blackcurrant. It’s not a craft cocktail, but it serves a purpose for those seeking a sweeter, fruitier twist on a standard pint. Often ordered by students or anyone looking for a familiar, unpretentious drink that’s easy to session. It’s dependable, predictable, and delivers exactly what it promises.

Snakebite And Black

4.46 from 22 votes

Calories: 32kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 0.5 Pint(s) Larger Beer
▢ 0.5 Pint(s) Cider Beer
▢ 1 Dash(s) Blackcurrant Squash

Instructions

▢
Put blackcurrant squash in first up to about 1cm in glass. Then add the lager and cider one after another.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 32kcal (2%)Carbohydrates: 3g (1%)Sugar: 2g (2%)

Where it came from

The Snakebite And Black is a quintessential British pub invention, likely emerging in the 1980s or 90s. Its exact origin is unknown, but it quickly became a staple in student bars and casual pubs across the UK. It’s a drink born from the desire to mix what’s on tap, a common practice in more relaxed drinking establishments.

This drink falls into the broad category of beer cocktails, sharing DNA with the Shandy (beer and lemonade) and the Black Velvet (stout and sparkling wine). Its distinctive feature is the combination of lager and cider, plus the tart sweetness of blackcurrant. It’s less about delicate balance and more about straightforward flavour combination.

You’ll typically find the Snakebite And Black served in a bustling pub, a student union bar, or at a casual backyard barbecue. It’s a drink for social settings where the focus is on good company and easygoing sips, rather than intricate mixology or quiet contemplation. It’s a no-fuss option for a relaxed evening out.

What it tastes like

The initial taste is a hit of sweet, tart blackcurrant, which quickly mellows into the crisp apple notes of the cider. This is followed by the familiar malty bitterness of the lager, providing a refreshing counterpoint. The finish is clean, slightly fruity, and leaves a pleasant balance of sweet and dry on the palate, making it remarkably drinkable.

Given half a pint of average lager (around 4.5% ABV) and half a pint of average cider (around 5% ABV), a Snakebite And Black clocks in at roughly 4.75% ABV. This puts it squarely in line with a standard beer or cider, making it considerably less potent than most spirit-based cocktails. You can expect to enjoy a few without getting too wobbly too quickly.

The technique

Building a Snakebite And Black is straightforward. Grab a standard pint glass. First, add your dash of blackcurrant squash to the bottom. Next, slowly pour in the half pint of lager, aiming for a steady stream to minimise excessive head. Follow this with the half pint of cider, again pouring gently. The liquids will naturally combine, creating the signature layered appearance before mixing completely.

The key technique here is to pour the carbonated components slowly and steadily. Rushing the pour will result in a massive head of foam, leading to lost carbonation and a drink that’s mostly bubbles. A gentle pour maintains the effervescence, ensuring the drink stays crisp and refreshing from first sip to last.

Drink Buddy Exclusive

Tell us what's in your cabinet.

Our Cocktail Builder takes whatever bottles you've got and hands you every drink you can actually make tonight.

Open the Builder →

Get the Drink Buddy newsletter

One drink, one tip, one Tuesday a month.

Plus the recipes we drop before they hit the site. Zero spam.

Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Lager Beer

Use: Any standard, unpretentious lager works best here. Think brands like Budweiser, Stella Artois, or Carlsberg, typically in the 4-5% ABV range. Their crisp, clean profile provides the perfect base.
Skip: Avoid anything too hoppy or heavy like an IPA, stout, or dark ale. Their strong, complex flavours will clash with the cider and blackcurrant, creating an unbalanced mess.
Why: The lager provides the essential malty backbone and a significant portion of the carbonation. Its neutral flavour profile allows the cider and blackcurrant to shine without being overpowered.

Cider Beer

Use: A dry or medium-dry apple cider is ideal. Brands like Strongbow, Bulmers, or Magners (around 4-5% ABV) offer the right balance of apple tartness and effervescence without being overly sweet.
Skip: Steer clear of overly sweet or heavily flavoured fruit ciders, unless you’re intentionally making a variation. They can make the drink cloying and throw off the intended balance.
Why: Cider introduces a crucial layer of apple fruitiness and a different kind of tang, complementing the lager and adding to the overall refreshment. It also contributes to the drink’s signature fizz.

Three Variations

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

Classic Snakebite

The original two-ingredient blend: This is simply lager and cider, without the blackcurrant. It offers a drier, more straightforward mix of beer and apple notes.

Diesel

A boozier blackcurrant kick: Instead of blackcurrant squash, this version uses a shot of blackcurrant liqueur, such as creme de cassis. It adds more depth of flavour and a slight increase in alcohol content.

Turbo Snakebite

Extra spirit for extra punch: For those seeking more of a kick, add a shot of neutral spirit like vodka or gin to the mix. It ups the ABV without significantly altering the core flavour profile.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Larger Beer?

A pale ale or light ale can work in a pinch, though it might introduce more hoppy or malty notes than a standard lager.

No Cider Beer?

You could use more lager for a blackcurrant shandy, or a very dry white wine for a different kind of fruit acidity, but it won’t be a true Snakebite.

No Blackcurrant Squash?

Creme de cassis is the classic alternative for a ‘Diesel’. Grenadine can provide sweetness and colour, but the flavour profile will shift to cherry-pomegranate.

No Pint Glass?

Any large highball glass or a large drinking vessel will suffice. The volume is key, not the specific glassware’s shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

What is in a Snakebite And Black?

A Snakebite And Black typically contains half a pint of lager beer, half a pint of apple cider, and a dash of blackcurrant squash.

Is Snakebite And Black alcoholic?

Yes, it is alcoholic, as it’s made from a mix of beer and cider, both of which contain alcohol.

What does a Snakebite And Black taste like?

It tastes sweet and tart from the blackcurrant and cider, balanced by the crisp, malty notes of the lager. It’s fruity, refreshing, and easy to drink.

Why is it called Snakebite?

The name ‘Snakebite’ likely comes from the ‘bite’ or kick of mixing two alcoholic drinks, or possibly the visual effect of the blackcurrant bleeding into the lighter liquids.

Is Snakebite And Black a strong drink?

Its alcohol content is similar to that of a standard beer or cider, typically around 4.5% to 5% ABV. It’s not considered a particularly strong drink compared to spirit-based cocktails.

Can you make a Snakebite And Black with different flavours?

Yes, you can experiment with different fruit squashes or even use a flavoured cider for variations, though this will alter the traditional taste.

What’s the difference between Snakebite and Diesel?

A Snakebite And Black uses blackcurrant squash, while a Diesel uses blackcurrant liqueur, such as creme de cassis, for a boozier, richer blackcurrant flavour.

Is it illegal to serve Snakebite in the UK?

No, the notion that it’s illegal to serve Snakebite in the UK is a common urban myth. It is perfectly legal to sell and consume.

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