United Kingdom 
The snowball drink is a British Christmas institution. Made with advocaat, a thick Dutch egg liqueur, topped up with fizzy lemonade and sharpened with a squeeze of lime, it has been a fixture on British Christmas tables since the 1950s when Warninks advocaat became widely available in UK supermarkets. The combination sounds simple, but the balance between the rich, custardy advocaat and the sharp fizz of lemonade is what makes this snowball cocktail so surprisingly drinkable.
Advocaat is essentially a bottled custard made from egg yolks, sugar, and brandy or grain spirit. Its thick, pourable consistency means it does not mix instantly into lemonade. Instead it swirls through the glass in pale yellow ribbons before settling into a creamy, faintly boozy foam at the top. That visual alone is part of the drink's charm.
The recipe below uses a ratio that gives you a proper snowball: sweet but not cloying, creamy but still fizzy, with enough lime to keep it from being flat on the palate. Use a branded advocaat (Warninks is the classic, Bols is a reliable second) rather than cheap supermarket own-brand, which tends to be thinner and less flavourful.
Equipment
Instructions
Tap each step to track your progress
- 1
Fill a highball glass with ice cubes to the top. A well-chilled glass keeps the drink fizzy longer.
- 2
Pour the advocaat directly over the ice. It will settle at the bottom; this is expected.
- 3
Add the fresh lime juice. Squeeze it directly into the glass over the ice.
- 4
Pour the cold lemonade slowly down the side of the glass to preserve the carbonation. Do not pour it directly over the advocaat or you will lose most of the fizz.
- 5
Give the drink a single gentle stir from the bottom up, just enough to lift the advocaat off the base without deflating the lemonade. The drink should look marbled and creamy, not uniformly mixed.
- 6
Garnish with a lime slice on the rim and a maraschino cherry if using. Serve immediately.
Tips & Tricks
Cold everything, every time
The drink relies on carbonation from the lemonade. Warm lemonade will go flat within seconds of pouring. Keep the lemonade in the fridge until the moment you pour it, and use a well-iced glass.
Pour the lemonade last and slowly
Advocaat is heavy. Pour the lemonade down the inside wall of the glass, not straight down through the advocaat. This preserves the bubbles and creates the characteristic swirled look rather than a uniform beige mixture.
Fresh lime is non-negotiable
The sourness of fresh lime juice is what makes this drink work. It cuts through the eggy sweetness of the advocaat in a way that bottled lime juice does not, because fresh juice is brighter and less aggressively acidic.
Use full-sugar lemonade
Diet lemonade changes the texture of the drink and tends to make the advocaat look slightly curdled. The full-sugar version provides enough body to suspend the advocaat properly and balances the egg richness better.
Make-ahead tip for parties
Measure out advocaat and lime juice into individual shot glasses or small cups up to an hour ahead. Guests add their own ice and lemonade at pour time. This keeps every drink freshly fizzy without you having to make each one individually.
Troubleshooting
My snowball tastes flat and too sweet
The lemonade lost its carbonation, or you over-stirred. Pour the lemonade slowly down the side of the glass and stir only once, from the bottom. Use fresh lemonade straight from a newly opened bottle, not one that has been sitting open.
The advocaat sank to the bottom and won't incorporate
This is normal behaviour for thick advocaat, but if it is completely stuck to the bottom, your glass was not cold enough or there was not enough ice. A single gentle stir from the bottom with a bar spoon is all you need. Do not shake a snowball; you will lose all carbonation.
The drink is too thick and heavy
You used too much advocaat or your advocaat is unusually thick (some brands vary). Reduce the advocaat to 1.5 oz and increase the lemonade slightly. Fresh lime juice is essential here; without it the sweetness has nothing to cut through it.
The lime makes it too sharp
You used bottled lime juice instead of fresh. Bottled lime juice is considerably more acidic and harsh. Stick to fresh lime, and if the drink is still too sharp, reduce to a teaspoon rather than half a lime.
My snowball looks grey and unappetising
The lemonade was not cold enough or was flat before you started. Always use refrigerator-cold lemonade. Room temperature lemonade makes the advocaat look dull and murky rather than pale yellow and creamy.
Variations
Sparkling Wine Snowball
Replace the lemonade with chilled Prosecco or Cava for a more grown-up, festive version. The dry fizz cuts through the sweetness of the advocaat more assertively. Use the same quantities and pour the Prosecco gently over the back of a spoon to preserve bubbles. This version is less sweet and notably more alcoholic.
Snowball Punch (for a crowd)
Scale up for a party by mixing 1 bottle (700ml) advocaat with the juice of 4 limes in a large jug. Pour over a block of ice in a punch bowl and top with 2 litres of cold lemonade. Stir gently once and serve immediately. Do not make this more than 10 minutes ahead or the carbonation will be flat.
Non-Alcoholic Snowball
Replace the advocaat with a non-alcoholic advocaat alternative (available from specialist retailers) or make a quick mock version: blend 2 tablespoons of good vanilla custard with 1 tablespoon of double cream until smooth and pourable. The result lacks the egg-brandy depth of real advocaat but has the right creamy texture and colour.
Spiced Snowball
Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg on top of the finished drink. The bitters add complexity and a faint spiced warmth that makes the snowball feel more festive and less candy-sweet.
Serving & Gifting
Serve the snowball immediately after assembling while the lemonade is still fizzing; it does not hold well as the carbonation dissipates within a few minutes. At a Christmas party, set up a tray with pre-measured advocaat in small cups and lime juice ready, so guests can pour their own lemonade and stir. A snowball pairs naturally with mince pies, sausage rolls, or Christmas cake, where its sweetness acts as a dessert drink. For a smart presentation, frost the rim of the glass by briefly pressing it into a saucer of fine sugar.
Storage & Freezing
Advocaat keeps for up to 12 months unopened and 3-4 months refrigerated after opening; check the bottle for the manufacturer's recommendation. Once assembled, a snowball must be drunk immediately as it cannot be stored. Do not pre-mix batches with lemonade; always add the lemonade at the last moment. Leftover advocaat can be used in trifle, poured over ice cream, or stirred into whipped cream as a dessert topping.
Common Questions
What is advocaat and where do I find it?
Advocaat is a Dutch liqueur made from egg yolks, sugar, and spirits (typically brandy or grain alcohol). It tastes like rich, boozy custard with a thick, pourable consistency. In the UK it is widely available in supermarkets around Christmas, with Warninks being the most recognised brand. Outside the UK, check specialist drinks shops or order online.
Can I make a snowball without alcohol?
Yes. There are non-alcoholic advocaat alternatives available from specialist retailers. Alternatively, blend 2 tablespoons of thick vanilla custard with 1 tablespoon of double cream until smooth and pourable. It will give you a similar creamy texture and yellow colour, though the flavour will be milder.
What lemonade should I use in a snowball cocktail?
Use a British-style clear fizzy lemonade such as R Whites, Schweppes, or a supermarket premium fizzy lemonade. Avoid American-style still lemonade; it is completely different and will not work. The carbonation is essential to the drink. Always use full-sugar, not diet.
How much advocaat goes in a snowball?
The classic ratio is 2 oz (60ml) advocaat to 4 oz (120ml) lemonade, plus fresh lime juice. Some people prefer a stronger snowball at a 1:1 ratio (2 oz each), but this makes for a much richer, heavier drink. The 1:2 ratio is the most balanced.
Is a snowball cocktail very alcoholic?
A standard snowball made with 2 oz advocaat is relatively low in alcohol. Advocaat typically runs at around 17-20% ABV, so a single serving contains roughly 1 standard UK unit of alcohol. It is one of the lower-alcohol Christmas cocktails, which is part of its broad appeal.
Why does my snowball separate in the glass?
Separation is natural because advocaat is much denser than lemonade. The two do not emulsify completely. A single gentle stir from the bottom will bring the drink together; this is the correct technique. If you want a more thoroughly mixed drink, stir twice, but accept that you will lose some carbonation in the process.
