Snowball Special Cocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Snowball Special sits in the Snowball family of drinks, built around advocaat’s rich, eggy liqueur and lengthened into an easy highball. While the classic Snowball is best known as a retro party staple, this “Special” twist leans into bolder, more playful accents rather than strict tradition, keeping the same creamy backbone but pushing it into a spicier, brighter direction.
You’ll find advocaat brings a thick, vanilla-custard sweetness that immediately sets a smooth, dessert-like base. Ginger wine layers in warming spice and a vinous sweetness that cuts through the richness, while lemonade lifts everything with fizzy, sugary brightness. A dash of lime sharpens the edges, keeping the drink from feeling heavy, and a dash of Tabasco adds a quick, peppery heat that snaps against the creamy liqueur and ginger.
Serve it tall and cold when you want something indulgent but not cloying—think festive gatherings, winter parties, or any time you’re craving a nostalgic highball with attitude. It’s ideal if you like creamy drinks yet still want citrus sparkle and a little kick in the finish.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail Colin says:
Advocaat brings a thick, eggy vanilla richness that’s brightened by fizzy lemonade and a sharp dash of lime, while ginger wine adds warming spice and a Tabasco dash pricks the finish with peppery heat. It works because the ginger and Tabasco cut through the creamy sweetness and the citrus-lift keeps it from cloying; ideal for drinkers who like dessert-like highballs with a spicy kick.
Method
How to make a Snowball Special
- Advocaat 60ml, Ginger wine 30ml, Lemonade Top up, Lime Dash, Tabasco Sauce Dash
-
- In a tall glass pour advocaat and ginger wine, squeeze half a fresh lime, and add Tabasco sauce
-
- Top up to pint with lemonade
-
- Stir and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Snowball Special with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Upgrade to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail
· Stir ·Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What can be used as a substitute for Advocaat in the Snowball Special?
If Advocaat is unavailable, a good substitute for the Snowball Special is eggnog. While slightly different in texture and taste, eggnog can mimic the creamy and rich flavor profile of Advocaat, making it a suitable alternative for this cocktail.
How can I achieve the best mix of flavors when preparing a Snowball Special?
For the best flavor mix in a Snowball Special, start by adding the Advocaat and ginger wine to your highball glass. Then, add a dash of lime and Tabasco sauce for that unique spicy kick. Top up with lemonade and stir gently to combine. This method ensures a balanced distribution of the creamy, spicy, and sweet flavors.
What is the ideal serving temperature for a Snowball Special?
The Snowball Special is best served cold. You can chill the glass beforehand and use cold ingredients to ensure the drink remains refreshing from the first sip to the last. Ice isn't typically required due to the use of cold lemonade, but a few cubes can be added if a colder temperature is preferred.
How does the alcohol content of the Snowball Special compare to other popular cocktails?
The Snowball Special has an alcohol content of 4.9%, which is relatively low compared to many classic cocktails. For instance, Margaritas and Martinis often have an alcohol content of around 20-30%. This makes the Snowball Special a lighter option, suitable for those who prefer drinks with lower alcohol content.
What are some creative garnishing ideas for the Snowball Special?
To enhance the presentation of the Snowball Special, consider adding a twisted lime peel or a thin lime wheel on the rim of the glass. A sprinkling of grated nutmeg or a cinnamon stick could also complement the drink's flavors, adding an aromatic touch to its visual appeal.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Enjoy this creamy banana and orange infusion with rum.
Beach blonde
Overproof rum, Advocaat, Orange juice, Banana
Experience this creamy fusion with a citrusy fizz
Snowball
Advocaat, Lime juice, Lemonade
Savor this creamy mix of vodka and advocaat
Christmas candy
Vodka, Advocaat, Cream, Chocolate ice cream, Cinnamon
Discover this smooth blend of vanilla and advocaat
Crème Anglaise
Vanilla vodka, Advocaat, Cream
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments