How to Make a Snakebite (Beer)

Last Updated: September 6, 2016

A snakebite is a beer mix drink that can be made using one of two different variations. A traditional snakebite is a cocktail made from equal parts lager and cider. The second variation of a snakebite involves pouring a dark beer on top of a hard cider. This variation of the recipe takes advantage of the two ingredients’ different densities in order to create a drink with an impressive visual effect.

Ingredients

Traditional Snakebite

Cider
- Any type of apple cider of apple juice will work, but fresh cider will taste the best.
Lager style beer
- Such as: Sam Adams, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Newcastle, Fat Tire, Blue Moon, or Miller High Life.

Dark Beer Snakebite

Hard cider
- Such as: Angry Orchard, Woodchuck, Blake’s, or any other alcoholic cider.
Dark beer (stout or porter)
- Must be a Guinness Stout or Guinness porter due to Guinness’s lower relative density.
- Some other stouts and porters have a low enough relative densities to work as well.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Traditional Snakebite

1
Get a glass. Snakebites are traditionally served in a pint glass but any glass or cup will work.
2
Pour the apple cider into the glass. Pour until the glass is half-full of cider.
- A traditional snakebite is equal parts cider and lager, but you can change that ratio to your preferences.
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3
Pour the lager into the glass. Fill the remainder of the glass with the lager.
4
Stir with a bar spoon. Stir in order to evenly mix the ingredients.
5
Let settle. Let the mixture settle.
6
Top off. Add more lager until the glass is full. Enjoy!

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Dark Beer Snakebite

1
Get a glass. A pint glass or beer flute works best, but any clear glass will be sufficient.
2
Pour the hard cider at an angle into the glass. Pour until the glass is between 2/3 and ¾ full with hard cider.
3
Hold the tablespoon upside-down over the glass. The table spoon will help slow the flow of Guinness into the glass in order to create a layered effect between the hard cider and the Guinness.
4
Pour the Guinness over the center of the tablespoon. Pour the Guinness over the center of the tablespoon to help disperse the flow of Guinness over the hard cider.
- Don’t pour too slowly or else it will flow alongside the can instead of on the spoon and into the glass.
- Pour until the glass is full.
5
Let settle. Let the foam settle.
6
Top off. Add more Guinness until the glass is full. Enjoy!

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Warnings

According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects.

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Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.

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