The Saint Lawrence

The Saint Lawrence is a straightforward, high-volume concoction designed for quick consumption rather than careful sipping. It combines equal parts cider beer and white wine, making for a dangerously drinkable mix that’s more about the party than the palate. This is the kind of drink you serve when you need to keep a crowd happy without fuss, ideal for backyard gatherings or casual get-togethers where speed and quantity trump complexity.

The Saint Lawrence

4.34 from 30 votes

Calories: 592kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 16 oz Cider Beer
▢ 16 oz White Wine

Instructions

▢
Stir. pour into plastic cup and chug.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 592kcal (30%)Carbohydrates: 34g (11%)Sugar: 32g (36%)

Where it came from

The origins of The Saint Lawrence are likely rooted in practicality and expediency, rather than any storied bar or mixologist. This feels like a spontaneous party blend, possibly originating in settings where both cider and white wine were readily available and mixing them seemed like a good idea for stretching supplies or simply getting a crowd buzzed. It’s a DIY approach to a large format drink, favored by those who prioritize easy assembly over intricate flavor profiles.

This drink belongs to a loose family of simple, two-ingredient alcohol mixes, somewhat akin to a basic shandy or a wine spritzer, but with a more robust alcohol content. While a shandy typically cuts beer with soda or lemonade, and a spritzer uses soda water, The Saint Lawrence replaces the non-alcoholic mixer with another alcoholic beverage, giving it a much harder edge and a less refined character. It’s a step beyond the typical mixer.

You would not order The Saint Lawrence at a craft cocktail bar or a fine dining establishment. This is a drink for a house party, a casual BBQ, a tailgate, or perhaps a college gathering. It’s built for volume and approachability, best served in a large, unpretentious vessel where the goal is to keep spirits high and the drinks flowing without any fuss.

What it tastes like

The flavor profile of The Saint Lawrence is a muddled but potent mix of apple and grape. On the front, you get the crisp, often sweet or tart apple notes from the cider, followed quickly by the drier, sometimes fruity or citrusy characteristics of the white wine. The finish is a combined alcoholic punch, leaving a lingering impression of fermented fruit that is both refreshing and surprisingly boozy.

Given 16 oz of 5% ABV cider and 16 oz of 12% ABV white wine, you’re looking at a substantial drink. This 32 oz mix comes in at roughly 8.5% ABV overall. To put that in perspective, it’s considerably stronger than a standard beer, which usually hovers around 4-5%, and roughly equivalent to a strong double IPA. It’s less potent than many spirit-forward cocktails, but its large volume means you’re consuming a significant amount of alcohol in one go.

The technique

Building The Saint Lawrence is as simple as it gets. Combine the cider beer and white wine directly into your chosen vessel. A gentle stir will ensure the liquids are well integrated without losing too much of the cider’s carbonation. The instruction to pour into a plastic cup and chug indicates this is a drink meant for immediate, unceremonious consumption, so presentation is not a concern.

The most important technique tip for this particular type of drink is ensuring both ingredients are thoroughly chilled before mixing. Because The Saint Lawrence is designed for quick consumption and not typically served over ice, starting with cold components is crucial for maintaining its refreshing quality. Warm cider and wine make for a significantly less palatable experience.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Cider Beer

Use: A dry or semi-dry apple cider works best here to balance the wine without making the drink overly sweet. Brands like Strongbow, Angry Orchard Crisp Apple, or even local dry ciders around 5-6% ABV are good choices.
Skip: Avoid very sweet dessert ciders or ciders with strong added fruit flavors, as they can overwhelm the wine and make the entire concoction cloying. Ciders with high hop content might also clash.
Why: The cider provides the primary fruit notes, effervescence, and a significant portion of the alcohol content. Its apple profile is a core part of The Saint Lawrence’s character.

White Wine

Use: A crisp, unoaked white wine is your best bet. Think Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or a dry Riesling. These wines offer bright acidity and clean fruit notes that pair well with cider without adding too much complexity. Aim for 12-13% ABV.
Skip: Steer clear of heavily oaked Chardonnays or very sweet dessert wines like Moscato. Oak can introduce unwanted flavors, and excessive sweetness will make the drink unbalanced and syrupy.
Why: The white wine contributes a layer of grape complexity, additional acidity, and a considerable boost to the drink’s overall alcohol content. It rounds out the cider’s sharpness.

Three Variations

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

Sparkling Saint Lawrence

A lighter, more festive take.: Substitute the still white wine with a dry sparkling wine or Cava for added effervescence and a slightly drier finish, making it a bit more celebratory.

Berry Saint Lawrence

A fruity, colorful twist.: Add a splash of raspberry or blackberry liqueur, or muddle a few fresh berries in the cup before adding the liquids, for an extra layer of fruit flavor and a vibrant hue.

Harder Saint Lawrence

For those who want more kick.: Introduce a 1.5 oz shot of unflavored vodka or gin to the mix. This will significantly increase the ABV without drastically altering the core apple and grape flavors.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Cider Beer?

Try a hard seltzer mixed with a splash of apple juice for similar effervescence and a hint of apple, though the flavor profile will be lighter.

No White Wine?

A dry rosé wine can work as a substitute, offering similar acidity and fruit notes, possibly with a slightly redder fruit character.

No Plastic Cup?

Any large drinking vessel will do the job, from a pint glass to a stadium cup. The goal is volume and easy handling.

No Stirrer?

A quick swirl of the cup or a gentle tilt will help mix the ingredients adequately for this straightforward drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

What is in a The Saint Lawrence?

The Saint Lawrence is made with 16 ounces of cider beer and 16 ounces of white wine.

How strong is The Saint Lawrence?

This drink typically contains around 8.5% alcohol by volume, making it stronger than a standard beer but less potent than many spirit-forward cocktails.

What kind of cider should I use for The Saint Lawrence?

A dry or semi-dry apple cider is recommended to balance the sweetness and acidity of the white wine.

What kind of white wine works best in The Saint Lawrence?

Opt for a crisp, unoaked white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the cider’s flavors without clashing.

Can I make The Saint Lawrence ahead of time?

Yes, you can mix a large batch of The Saint Lawrence and keep it chilled. Just be aware that the carbonation from the cider will diminish over time.

Is The Saint Lawrence served over ice?

While the recipe instructs to “chug” it, serving The Saint Lawrence over ice is perfectly acceptable if you prefer a colder, slightly diluted drink, especially in warmer weather.

Why is it called The Saint Lawrence?

The specific origin of the name “The Saint Lawrence” for this particular drink is not widely documented, but it likely references the Saint Lawrence River or region, perhaps as a local party concoction.

Is The Saint Lawrence a cocktail or a beer cocktail?

Given its mix of beer and wine, The Saint Lawrence falls into the broader category of a mixed drink, specifically a beer and wine hybrid rather than a traditional spirit-based cocktail.

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

Beer, Cocktail, Cider Beer, Photo, Recipe, T, White Wine

The Saint Lawrence

The Saint Lawrence

The Saint Lawrence

Ingredients

Instructions

Estimated Nutrition:

Where it came from

What it tastes like

The technique

Tell us what's in your cabinet.

One drink, one tip, one Tuesday a month.

Ingredient Spotlight

Cider Beer

White Wine

Three Variations

Sparkling Saint Lawrence

Berry Saint Lawrence

Harder Saint Lawrence

What if I don't have…

Frequently Asked Questions

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