A snowball is a classic Christmas co*cktail. It’s traditionally made with Advocaat, a mixture of egg yolks, sugar, brandy and vanilla, which can either be homemade or, for ease, purchased from a supermarket.
Brands such as Warninks Advocaat are readily available and they even sell the pre made co*cktail cans if you really want a super speedy festive drink.
What are the ingredients for a snowball?
To complete the famous drink you add cold lemonade, lime juice or lime cordial to the Advocaat and include ice and a maraschino cherry as a garnish.
Advocaat is not to be confused with Eggnog, another popular Christmas drink which has milk, cream and rum in it (as well as the eggs and sugar).
If you're a fan of creamy based co*cktails then why not try our gingerbread cream liqueur, or our blood orange meringue pie co*cktail for a fun festive twist?
Why is a snowball called a snowball?
A pale, custard colour in appearance, a snowball gets its name thanks to the dome of white foam at the top of the drink – which occurs when you mix the ingredients together.
To ensure the drink has it’s essential trademark froth Charles Roche, Warninks Drinks Consultant says: ‘Pour the lemonade at a consistent speed whilst lightly stirring to emulsify the liquids and retain the lemonade’s carbonation.’
One thing that’s guaranteed to ruin a Snowball, according to Charles, is not using good quality lemonade. ‘Use one such as R Whites,’ he says ‘which has good carbonation and intense sweetness.’
How to make a Snowball drink
Snowball Ingredients
- 50ml Warninks Advocaat
- 25ml lime cordial or fresh lime juice
- 150ml Lemonade
Directions
- Shake Advocaat and freshly squeezed lime juice or cordial together with ice.
- Strain into a coupe or martini glass and top up with lemonade.
What other Christmas drinks can be made with Advocaat?
If you fancy tweaking a snowball, Charles suggests using cloudy lemonade and garnishing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to create a Posh Snowball drink or adding mini meringue or Custard Cream on the side.
You can also make a Snowball Fizz which is 50ml or advocaat, 20ml of vanilla syrup and then top with prosecco. Plus you can add little bit of icing sugar, dusted over the glass for seasonal effect.
Or you could try award winning mixologist Courtney McNair’s Winter Spice Snowball Sharer (serves four). Gently heat 200ml of Advocaat in a pan with 25 ml honey, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 3-4 cloves and a star anise, infusing festive flavours. Once cool add to a jug with lots of ice, 50ml of lemon juice and 200ml of soda water, stir well and garnish with a clove studded slice of orange or a cinnamon stick. Sounds delicious.
Courtney also suggests using Advocaat in an indulgent Nutcracker’s Ball with 37.5 ml advocaat, 12.5ml Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, a teaspoon of hot chocolate powder, and 50ml of your favourite type of milk. Combine in a shaker with ice, then serve over ice and topped with whipped cream and crushed hazelnuts. Add a sprinkle of edible glitter if you’re feeling particularly festive.
If you’re looking for something fancy, Andrei Marcu — Bar Manager at London’s Coupette — batch makes Snowballs with Champagne! Using 150ml of the fizz with 150ml Vin Jeune (substitute with dry sherry), 200ml almond milk, 150ml sugar syrup, 6 egg yolks and 4 scoops of champagne sorbet. You can substitute with vanilla ice cream or sorbet and add an extra 100ml of Champagne. Mix with a hand blender/ blender (Serves 6).
For a grown up twist the Mr Advocate is a fizz free alternative by Gianfranco Lozzi, Novikov’s senior bartender and uses 35 ml of homemade cane sugar Advocaat (full recipe below) with 35ml Cognac 25ml Sherry (Amontillado or similar) and 10ml coconut cream. Stir all ingredients then serve in a martini glass garnished with grated nutmeg.
The MR Advocat
How to make your own advocaat
Recipe by Gianfranco Lozzi, Novikov
Ingredients:
- Large egg yolks 4
- Dark soft brown cane sugar (gives a slight molasses taste) 1/2 cup
- Salt 1 pinch
- Half A vanilla Pod
- Brandy 175ml
- Vanilla extract 1/2 tsp
How to make homemade Advocaat:
- Beat the egg yolks, sugar, salt and vanilla seeds until well mixed and the sugar diluted, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- While still beating, slowly pour in the brandy and continue beating until well mixed.
- Pour the mixture into the top of a double boiler over Low heat, continuously whisking, for about 5 minutes or until thickened but does not reach a boil.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract.
How to make a Snowball co*cktail Tart
And if you're a real fan of a Snowball drink then we have taken inspiration from the seasonal co*cktail and turned it into a dessert fit for the festive season.
The Snowball co*cktail tart has a custard made from Advocaat, poured into a pastry case, and topped with a lemon jelly.
We've piped cream on top as a nod to the snowball drinks trademark frothiness (and nostalgia value) and added maraschino cherries on top.
SNOWBALL co*ckTAIL TART
The best Christmas co*cktails to enjoy over the festive season
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