The History of the Snowball Cocktail

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Every year we have dreams of a white Christmas, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way. Depending on where you are in the world, you might get rain, wind, maybe scorching hot sunshine, but the fantasy of building snowmen and making snow angels while you wait for Christmas dinner does not always come true.

Perhaps that is why the Snowball cocktail is such a popular treat at this time of year. We might not be able to throw snowballs, but we can certainly drink them! As you might expect, this is a creamy, decadent drink that tastes like the most luxurious winter you could imagine. Made of Advocaat, lemonade and lime juice, it should obviously be shaken with ice and served in a chilled glass. You might want to pop on another layer of clothing to enjoy this one!

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Snowball

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4.7 / 5

Cocktail glass

Microbadges

Cocktail Of The Day

Base ingredient

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Advocaat

Calories

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151 calories

Garnish

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Cinnamon

Alcohol content

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5.83% | 0.52 units of alcohol ^*

The Snowball cocktail is a creamy, citrusy drink typically enjoyed during festive seasons, particularly around Christmas. Its main ingredient, Advocaat—a rich and velvety Dutch liqueur made from eggs, sugar, and brandy—provides a custard-like base that is both sweet and smooth. The addition of tangy lime juice balances the sweetness with a refreshing zing, while the lemonade adds a fizzy lift to the drink, giving it a lighter mouthfeel. Traditionally served in a cocktail glass, the Snowball is garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon, adding a subtle, spicy warmth that complements the drink's indulgent character.

Ingredients

Lime juice

Lemonade

Advocaat

Method

How to make a Snowball

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes

Shake the lime juice and advocaat together in a cocktail shaker with ice

Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and top up with lemonade

Garnish with a little grated cinnamon and serve

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The Rise of the Snowball

Before we discuss the history of the snowball, it is useful to spend a moment discussing its key ingredient. Advocaat is a Dutch egg yolk-based liqueur that is so named for its ability to lubricate the throat so that you are better able to speak in public, like a lawyer. The word ‘advocaat’ is a literal translation of the word ‘lawyer’.

The original Snowball recipe was created in the 1940s in Britain, although the details are scarce. It actually contained brandy, which helped to cut through the incredibly sweet taste of the other ingredients. However, the drink didn’t become very popular until the 1970s, when people started to leave out the brandy so that they could enjoy the full force of the sweet taste.

The popularity seems to come from the fact that this is an incredibly inexpensive drink to make. Since it is just egg and lemonade in its simplest form, it can easily be reimagined in the kitchen as a mocktail. Even when liqueur is used, it is still a drink with a low alcohol content that makes it a great choice for older kids who want a taste of their first alcoholic beverage. Of course, if you add brandy, it takes on a new personality that is more likely to appeal to after-dinner drinkers who need to reset their palate after a large Christmas meal.

Snowball Variations

If you want to get experimental with your choice of festive drinks, a Christmas Snowball is the way to go. Swap lemonade for Babycham and lime juice for ginger syrup and you get a whole new take on the beverage. A Dirty Snowball pairs vodka and lemonade with the traditional Advocaat, while a Russian Snowball contains Advocaat, lemonade, lime juice and Citron vodka. Basically, as long as your drink contains Advocaat, you can claim it is a snowball of some description!

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Christmas snowball

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4.6 / 5

Highball glass

Base ingredient

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Ginger Syrup

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216 calories

Alcohol content

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6.45% | 1.94 units of alcohol ^*

Babycham may not be in such high fashion as it used to be, but is still put to great use in this ginger and advocaat cocktail.

Ingredients

Babycham

Advocaat

Ginger Syrup

Sugar

Method

How to make a Christmas snowball

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes

Moisten the rim the highball glass with water and then roll in sugar

Into a cocktail shaker with ice, add the ginger syrup with advocaat and shake for 10-15 seconds

Strain into the ice-filled highball glass and top up with the Babycham before serving

~ For added flair we suggest rimming the glass with Christmas sprinkles. ~

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Champagne Snowball

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4.8 / 5

Champagne glass

Base ingredient

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Advocaat

Calories

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170 calories

Alcohol content

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14% | 2.31 units of alcohol ^*

Details

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Classic

The Champagne Snowball is a luxurious and sophisticated cocktail, perfect for celebrations and festive occasions. Featuring a decadent blend of Advocaat, lime cordial, dry sherry, and topped with champagne or prosecco, this cocktail offers a creamy, sweet, and slightly tangy flavor profile that is both unique and refreshing. Served in a cocktail glass, the Champagne Snowball is a dazzling choice for those who appreciate a drink that balances rich, eggy notes with the crisp effervescence of sparkling wine. Ideal for cocktail enthusiasts and lovers of festive beverages, this cocktail is a delightful twist on classic champagne celebrations.

Ingredients

Advocaat

Lime Cordial

Sherry (Dry)

Champagne / prosecco

Method

How to make a Champagne Snowball

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes

Start by pouring champagne into a glass that has been chilled, ensuring the perfect refreshing temperature for your drink

Next, grab your shaker and fill it with ice, which will help chill the other three ingredients effectively

Add the remaining three ingredients into the shaker with the ice

Give everything a vigorous shake for about 10-15 seconds, or until the exterior of the shaker feels frosted to the touch, ensuring the flavors are well-blended and chilled

Finally, carefully strain the shaken mixture over the champagne in your glass, creating a beautifully layered and complex cocktail experience

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