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    Home Β» Recipes Β» Drinks

    Maraschino Snakebite Drink

    Published: May 13, 2016 Β· Modified: Jun 30, 2020 by Alyssa Β· This post may contain affiliate links.

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    A maraschino snakebite drink is a fun beer and cider beverage with a twist! Maraschino cherries (and some of their liquid) are added for an extra layer of flavor. It's a great lower-alcohol option for sipping in the summer heat -- or anytime.

    Two snakebites in beer glasses next to a large jar of maraschino cherries and two beer caps

    I'm motioning we rename 'Friday' to 'Fri-yay', and I suspect I'd get a lot of support given the sheer number of Instagram posts and Facebook memes that surface this time of week.

    I'm not a huge fan of going out on Friday nights as I tend to be pretty tired, but I'll muster a 'Fri-yay!' as I pour myself a drink and settle on into the couch to watch Netflix.

    Speaking of Netflix, we (finally) finished Mad Men and I'm getting agita thinking about the lack of shows we're in the midst of. I would love your suggestions!

    It's only fitting that I share this maraschino snakebite drink on a Friday, because the odds are good that this will be what I'm sipping on tonight while I convince my husband to watch all the true crime documentaries. It's a simple fancied up beer beverage that's taken to the next level with those homemade maraschino cherries I posted a few weeks ago.

    An overhead picture of two snakebites next to a big glass jar of maraschino cherries, a spoon, and two beer caps

    What is a snakebite?

    A snakebite drink has UK origins, and is traditionally comprised at its base of equal parts lager beer and hard cider.

    Some variations include something extra such as a splash of liqueur for sweetness and a bit of flavor. Blackcurrant liqueur (otherwise known as crème de cassis) is a popular liqueur for this purpose, which turns snakebites into a darker, slightly pinky color.

    Fun! But I'll be real with you. I don't have many liqueurs on hand as we have zero room in our small kitchen, so I decided to take some liberties with this version and make this snakebite drink with an easy store-bought (or homemade!) staple.

    Drink ingredients

    The first part of this drink is a lager beer. Lagers come in a wide range of colors, but my personal preference is to use a lager that's on the lighter (in color) side. Some favorite varieties of mine are Yuengling Lager, Heineken, and Peroni Nastro Azzurro.

    That said, it's also not uncommon to see darker lagers used in snakebite drinks. I totally enjoy sipping on black lagers from craft breweries by themselves, but I'm not so much a fan of them here in a snakebite.

    Now for the hard cider. I like to use a hard cider that's fairly moderate in terms of sweetness. If you've sipped them before, you know that some have a higher sugar content than others.

    Use whichever kind you like, but some less sweet varieties I like to use here are Strongbow and Crispin.

    An overhead shot of a large glass jar of homemade maraschino cherries next to an empty rocks glass and spoons

    Once those two lovelies are added to a glass, stir in about one tablespoon of maraschino cherry liquid from the jar of cherries and garnish with a cherry or two.

    While I love using homemade maraschino cherries here, store-bought totally works, too. The maraschino cherry ingredients add a subtle flavor that complements the beer and cider combo nicely! While this snakebite drink is slightly unconventional, it's a version made easier with an extra ingredient you may just as well have in your refrigerator already.

    Two snakebite drinks in glass jars with a jar of maraschino cherries in the background

    Maraschino Snakebite Drink

    A maraschino snakebite drink is a fun beer and cider beverage with a twist! Maraschino cherries (and some of their liquid) are added for an extra layer of flavor. It's a great lower-alcohol option for sipping in the summer heat.
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    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: British
    Prep Time: 3 minutes
    Total Time: 3 minutes
    Servings: 1 drink
    Calories: 184kcal
    Author: Alyssa

    Ingredients

    • 6 oz. lager beer
    • 6 oz. hard cider
    • Β½ oz maraschino cherry liquid (1 tbsp)
    • 1-2 maraschino cherries or to taste
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    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients to a glass and stir to combine. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Nutritional info is an estimate, and will vary depending on your chosen varieties of lager and hard cider. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1drink | Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 13.3g | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Tried this Recipe?Tag @mysequinedlife - I love to see what you're making!

    Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.

    Food Safety and Nutrition Disclaimer

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Desarae says

      September 15, 2016 at 9:55 pm

      Hi! I'm interested in where you purchased the glasses that the drink is in? The ones with the dogs on them. I love a good mason jar and dogs.... And these combine both! Thanks!!

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        September 15, 2016 at 10:16 pm

        Hi Desarae! I love those glasses, too. They're from Lagunitas Brewing Company but I randomly got them from a liquor store in southern California a few years ago. I just looked at the Lagunitas website though and they're available for sale through there (and pretty affordable!). Here's the link: http://store.lagunitas.com/store/CUSTOM%21FTF/Mason+Jar πŸ™‚

        Reply
    2. NAncy says

      June 13, 2016 at 6:50 pm

      I'm responding to your request for a show recommendation. You can't go wrong with "Bloodline" on Netflix. 2 seasons so far. It's brilliant!

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        June 13, 2016 at 7:20 pm

        Thanks so much for the suggestion, Nancy! I just read a description and it's intriguing! Definitely up my alley. πŸ™‚

        Reply
    3. marcie says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:01 pm

      I just bought some expensive natural maraschino cherries yesterday and then I remembered your recipe that I've got to try! This snakebite looks like a delicious cocktail that's perfect for summer!

      Reply
    4. Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says

      May 16, 2016 at 6:40 am

      The name of this cocktail made me smile. How clever is that?? πŸ˜€ And seriously, it sounds like the BEST combo of flavors ever! Perfect for a chillaxing-on-the-couch kinda Friday! Or Monday?? πŸ˜‰

      Reply
    5. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      May 13, 2016 at 7:28 am

      So now I really need to get on making those cherries πŸ˜‰

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        May 15, 2016 at 9:22 pm

        Haha I've been enjoying sneaking them into different things! I mean, they're just sitting there. πŸ™‚

        Reply
    6. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

      May 13, 2016 at 6:34 am

      Oh it's definitely Fri-yay with this pretty drink! I'm the exact same as you once Friday night hits, I'd rather relax on the couch with a drink. I love the name of this, Alyssa! And how easy is this to make?! Sounds perfect!

      Reply
      • Alyssa says

        May 15, 2016 at 9:23 pm

        Thanks Gayle!!

        Reply

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