I’ll never forget the first time I tried a Snowball cocktail. I’d been handed a glass by my mother-in-law at a bustling Christmas gathering, utterly clueless about what I was about to sip. Honestly, I barely knew what advocaat was – much less that this creamy, pale yellow liqueur forms the backbone of one of Britain’s most charming, under-the-radar festive drinks. “It’s not Christmas without a Snowball,” she told me, and after one frothy mouthful, I finally understood what all the fuss was about.
For a few decades, the Snowball was all the rage in the UK – especially in the 1970s – before falling out of the spotlight. But lately, it’s enjoying a bit of a nostalgic revival. I can see why: cool, creamy advocaat gets whisked together with tart, fizzy lemonade (think Sprite or 7-Up, or better yet, any proper European-style lemonade), and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. The result is a drink that’s a little retro, unexpectedly delicious, and, frankly, fun. Imagine eggnog if it ditched its heaviness and donned a sparkly party dress.
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What struck me most was how much lighter and more refreshing the Snowball tasted compared to my expectations. The advocaat lends the whole thing a vanilla-custard richness, but the sparkling lemonade keeps it lively, and the tang of lime sharpens every sip. There’s something festive about it even when it’s not Christmas – sometimes I’ll make a batch in the summer, throw open the windows, and laugh at the notion that this is just a winter treat.
Here’s what you need to make a classic Snowball:
- 2 ounces (60ml) advocaat
- 4 ounces (120ml) fizzy lemonade (don’t use American-style still lemonade!)
- 0.5 ounce (15ml) fresh lime juice
- Ice cubes
- A lime wheel or twist, for garnish
Pour everything into a tall glass filled with ice. Give it a gentle stir (not too vigorous, or you’ll lose all that beautiful fizz). Top with a twist of lime. That’s it! The drink fluffs up a little as the bubbles hit the advocaat – hence the “Snowball” name.
Over the years, I’ve played around with different variations. If I’m feeling adventurous (or just out of lemonade – a very real possibility around here), I’ll swap in half orange juice and half club soda for a more citrus-forward version. Around the holidays, I sometimes use ginger ale instead of lemonade for what my friends now call the “Spicy Snowball.” Its gentle ginger bite works surprisingly well with advocaat’s velvety sweetness.
As for food pairings, don’t overthink it. Snowballs love a salty snack – think sharp cheddar, creamy brie, or tangy blue cheese. They’re also fantastic with smoked salmon on little rye toasts. I’ve even served these with deviled eggs and not a single glass went unfinished.
A quick word to the wise: my first time, I stirred so enthusiastically I managed to flatten the whole drink. Now, I just nudge it with a spoon, enough to mix but not ruin the effervescence. It’s worth the minimal effort.
The Snowball may never rival margaritas or negronis for cocktail bar fame, but it has personality to spare: playful, just sweet enough, with a creamy sparkle that’s utterly its own. If you want a drink that feels like a celebration – even if the only thing you’re celebrating is making it to Friday – give the Snowball a try. You might be surprised, like I was, at how quickly it becomes a personal favorite.
