Snowball Cocktail Recipe
Snowball Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour in the advocaat.
- Top slowly with lemonade or lemon-lime soda.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry and serve immediately.
Why This Cocktail Belongs on Your Party Menu
This drink is a great option for guests who like the creamy, custard-like flavor of eggnog but want something lighter and fizzier instead. It’s also one of the fastest drinks on this list to build, since it’s just two ingredients poured over ice.
Because it’s on the sweeter, lighter side, it works well earlier in the evening or as a starter drink before moving on to something stronger later in the night.
Everything You’ll Need
- 2 oz advocaat
- 4 oz lemonade or lemon-lime soda
- Maraschino cherry, for garnish
- Ice
Bottle Picks & Easy Swaps
Advocaat can be a little tricky to find depending on where you shop, but it’s worth seeking out at a well-stocked liquor store or ordering online, since it’s what gives the Snowball its distinctive custardy flavor. If you can’t find it, a mix of eggnog and a splash of brandy makes a reasonable substitute, though the texture will be a bit thicker. For the mixer, cloudy lemonade is the more traditional choice in the UK, but lemon-lime soda works well too if that’s what you have on hand.
Bar Tools You’ll Want
- Tall glass or highball glass
- Jigger
- Bar spoon
A jigger helps keep the advocaat properly measured so the drink doesn’t end up too heavy or too thin. This jigger makes it easy to pour a consistent amount every time. A large ice cube also helps keep the drink cold without watering it down too quickly as the lemonade fizzes. This large ice cube mold is a good one to have stocked for drinks like this.
Let’s Mix It Up
- Fill the glass with ice: Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Add the advocaat: Pour in the advocaat.
- Top with lemonade: Slowly top off with lemonade or lemon-lime soda.
- Stir gently: Give it a light stir to combine without losing too much fizz.
- Garnish and serve: Drop in a maraschino cherry and serve immediately.
Host’s Tips for the Best Snowball
Pour the lemonade in slowly rather than dumping it in, since a hard pour can cause the advocaat to foam up and overflow the glass. Stir gently and only once or twice, just enough to combine without knocking out too much of the carbonation. If you’re serving several at once, pre-measure the advocaat into each glass ahead of time so all that’s left is adding ice and topping off with lemonade as guests arrive.
Easy Ways to Make It Your Own
Add a splash of lime juice for a bit more tartness to balance the sweetness. A small pour of vodka or gin turns this into a slightly stronger version if you want more of a kick. For a fizzier finish, top with a splash of soda water on top of the lemonade.
Perfect Occasions & What to Serve Alongside
The Snowball is a great pick for an early evening cocktail hour, a holiday brunch, or as a lighter option next to heavier eggnog and mulled wine on the drink table. It pairs well with mince pies, shortbread, or a simple cheese board.
Make-Ahead & Serving Notes
This one is best mixed fresh, since the lemonade will lose its fizz if it sits pre-mixed for too long. If you want to save time during a party, you can pre-portion the advocaat into individual glasses ahead of time and simply add ice and lemonade as guests arrive.
Still have a question? Here are a few of the most common ones readers ask before making this drink.
What is advocaat and where can I find it?
Advocaat is a rich, creamy Dutch liqueur made from eggs, sugar, and brandy. It’s available at many well-stocked liquor stores or can be ordered online if your local shop doesn’t carry it.
Can I make this cocktail without alcohol?
A non-alcoholic eggnog or custard-style drink topped with lemonade gets you close to the same flavor and texture, though it won’t have the same depth as real advocaat.
What’s the best substitute for advocaat if I can’t find it?
A mix of eggnog with a small splash of brandy makes a decent stand-in, though the texture will be a bit thicker and less smooth than traditional advocaat.
Can I batch this for a party?
You can pre-measure the advocaat into individual glasses ahead of time, but wait to add the ice and lemonade until you’re ready to serve so the drink stays fizzy.
Is lemonade or lemon-lime soda better for this recipe?
Traditional British-style cloudy lemonade is the classic choice and gives a slightly softer sweetness, but lemon-lime soda works well too and is easier to find in many places.
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