cocktaildna

United Kingdom

Snakebite

Also known as Snake Bite, Lager and Cider, Diesel

A simple, half-and-half mix of lager and hard cider that lands somewhere between a beer and a refreshing cooler.

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%

ABV

Difficulty

Snakebite

Overview

What this drink is like

The first sip gives you the dry, crisp bite of the cider right away, followed by the bready, mild sweetness of the lager rolling in underneath. It drinks easy and wet, with a quick, clean finish that barely lingers.

Who will like it

This is for beer drinkers who want something a bit fruitier and lighter, or cider fans who find a full pint of straight cider too sweet.

When to drink

Drink this on a warm afternoon or as a session starter when you want something cold and easy-drinking but not spirit-heavy.

Ordering tip

Ask for a half lager and half hard cider; if you want it darker and maltier, request a stout or porter instead of the lager.

Ice: NoneTemp: ColdCost: $3–$6Glass: PintBatch-friendlyHome bar friendly

Flavor

Taste profile

This is a straightforward, highly drinkable beer cocktail with no hidden depths. The apple flavor from the cider hits first, sweet and a little tart, backed up by the bready, plain flavor of the lager. It goes down fast and easy, making it a solid choice for hot weather when you want volume and refreshment over strength or nuance.

Finish: The finish is short and clean, leaving just a faint trace of apple tartness and dry malt on the tongue.

Primary tastes

sweetsourfruity

Secondary

earthy

Aroma

applemaltbread
  • Bitternesslow bitterness

    The lager brings a faint hop presence, but the cider sweetness drowns out most bitter notes.

  • Sweetnessmoderately sweet

    The apple cider adds a clear, fruity sweetness that sits right up front.

  • Sournessmild acidity

    A light tartness from the cider gives the drink a bit of a sharp edge without making it sour.

  • Strengthlow strength

    This is a low-alcohol session drink, usually landing between 4 and 6 percent ABV.

  • Refreshingvery refreshing

    Cold, highly carbonated, and light on its feet, this drinks like water on a hot day.

  • Complexityvery simple

    There are only two ingredients, so what you taste is exactly what you get.

Recipe

Make it at home

Built · Pint · equal parts on Lager. A standard British or American lager works best; avoid highly hopped IPAs

Before you start

Make sure both the lager and cider are well chilled before you start, since you aren't adding ice to this drink.

Ingredients

  • LagerOtherHalf a pint284ml
  • Hard CiderOtherDry English-style cider recommended284ml

Tools

  • Pint glass · Serving

    Holds the drink and shows off the color of the mixed beers

  • Bottle opener · Other

    Opens the lager and cider bottles

Ingredients and tools to make Snakebite
Ingredients and tools

Steps

  1. 1

    Tilt a pint glass at a 45-degree angle and slowly pour the lager down the side until the glass is half full. Straighten the glass as it fills so you get a decent head on the beer without overflowing.

    Step 1 — how to make Snakebite

    !Pouring too fast will foam up the lager and leave no room for the cider.

  2. 2

    Top off the glass by slowly pouring the hard cider into the center of the glass. The cider will mix naturally with the lager as it fills the rest of the pint.

    Step 2 — how to make Snakebite

    !Dumping the cider in too aggressively kills the remaining head and makes it go flat fast.

Serve

Serve it right away in the pint glass while it is still cold and carbonated. No ice goes in this drink.

Variations

Ingredient substitutions

Each row shows what you can swap in place of an original ingredient, and how the drink changes.

Swap options for Lager

  • LagerStout
    Match
    Common availability

    Lager → Stout: Adds a roasted, coffee-like depth and dark color, turning the drink into a Diesel.

  • LagerPale Ale
    Match
    Common availability

    Lager → Pale Ale: Increases the hop bitterness and gives a slightly fruitier, bolder beer backbone.

Swap options for Hard Cider

  • Hard CiderSweet Cider
    Match
    Common availability

    Hard Cider → Sweet Cider: Makes the drink noticeably sweeter and less tart, pushing it toward a juice-like profile.

Related

Similar cocktails

Cousin drinks that share DNA with this one — each profile stands on its own.

Shandy

Similar cocktail

Shandy

A Shandy cuts the lager with lemonade or soda, making it more citrusy and less fruity than the apple-forward Snakebite.

Match

The Shandy drinks brighter and more tart, while the Snakebite leans into a softer, sweeter apple profile.

In common: low ABV, highly refreshing, beer-based, built in a pint glass

Ingredients

Both share

Lager

Only in Snakebite

Hard Cider

Only in Shandy

Lemonade

Both drinks split a lager with a non-alcoholic or low-ABV mixer, but the Snakebite uses hard cider to add alcohol and apple flavor, while the Shandy uses lemonade for a sharp citrus bite.

Flavor

Shared flavors

Light body, high carbonation, bready malt base

How Shandy differs

Snakebite is fruitier and slightly sweeter, while Shandy is sharper and more lemony.

View recipe & details →

Black Velvet

Similar cocktail

Black Velvet

Black Velvet uses stout instead of lager, making it much darker, heavier, and richer.

Match

The Black Velvet is a sipping drink with real weight and depth, whereas the Snakebite is a light, sessionable cooler.

In common: beer-based, built in a pint glass, two-ingredient mix

Ingredients

Both share

Hard Cider

Only in Snakebite

Lager

Only in Black Velvet

Stout

Swapping lager for stout completely changes the weight and flavor, moving the drink from light and crisp to heavy and roasted.

Flavor

Shared flavors

Apple notes from the cider, dry finish

How Black Velvet differs

Black Velvet is heavier with coffee and chocolate notes, while Snakebite is light and bready.

View recipe & details →

History

Origin

The Snakebite emerged in UK pubs in the 1980s as a cheap, easy-drinking way to mix draft lager and cider. Some British pubs refuse to serve it due to its reputation for causing rapid intoxication, though its actual ABV is quite low.

Era
1980s
Confidence

The Snakebite is a pub culture staple rather than a craft cocktail, so specs vary widely by region and personal taste.

Practical

Tips & pitfalls

What works at home and what to skip when making this drink.

Tips

Worth knowing before you pour

  • Use a dry cider to keep the drink from tasting like apple juice.
  • Chill both bottles for at least a few hours before mixing.
  • Pour slowly to keep the carbonation intact and avoid a flat drink.

Avoid

Common mistakes

  • Do not add ice, as it will water down the flavor quickly.
  • Avoid sweet dessert ciders, which make the drink cloying.