Shandy made with equal parts of lager or stout and cider
For other uses, see Snakebite (disambiguation).
A snakebite is an alcoholic drink. Traditionally, in the United Kingdom it is made with equal parts of lager and cider with a dash of blackcurrant cordial. Through the seventies and early eighties, bar staff included the blackcurrant cordial less and less until customers became fed up complaining and began asking for a “snakebite & black”.
Most people think of a snakebite as just equal parts of lager and cider, asking for a “snakebite and black” if they want it the traditional way with a dash of blackcurrant cordial.
Stout may be used instead of lager in the United States.[1]
Availability in the UK[edit]
Snakebite is typically served in pints. Serving a snakebite from separate cider and lager taps or bottles is not illegal in the UK, despite sources that suggest otherwise.[2] In 2001, former US President Bill Clinton was refused a snakebite when he ordered one at the Old Bell Tavern in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Pub manager Jamie Allen said “It’s illegal to serve it here in the UK”.[3]
Snakebite is also the traditional drink of several universities; it is known as a Purple at the University of Warwick, a Nasty at Loughborough University, a “Snakey-B” at the University of East Anglia, and a “Diesel” at Newcastle University. Its colour lends its name to Purple Wednesday, the official student night at Portsmouth University.[citation needed]
