Bring back The Snowball

The Snowball. A simple, sweet cocktail, born of a combo of advocaat and lemonade that was, for a time, a symbol of Christmas. At least in the UK. Now it’s as nostalgic as watching a proper ol’ Coca-Cola advertisement with a regulation-size* tin of Quality Street. A slice of 1970s fever dream soundtracked by a Noddy Holder-esque shout of: “It’s CHRISTMAS!!!!

Advocaat itself is a Dutch classic made from egg yolks, vanilla, sugar and alcohol, basically custard with a kick, which explains the appeal. But, as is so often the case in life, the thing that makes you is the thing that breaks you. Boozy custard lost out to more “enlightened” options like Champagne or nettle juice or whatever the hell it is that fine and dandy people drink. The Snowball fell from grace. 

Maybe it was also the fact that people weren’t enthused to pull out a sticky bottle with a crusty lid that had been banished to the back of the cupboard for 10 months of the year (egg yolks, folks. Gotta watch ‘em). Or that the youth of the day were tainted because the always-cursed first sip of adulthood was a swig of this glorious gloop. Maybe we just got bored. 

Whatever the cause, we think it’s time to bring back The Snowball. Right into the mainstream. Perhaps we can convince you. 

Bring back The Snowball

Eggs and booze have been knocking about together for ages, from old English possets and flips made with booze, spices, milk or cream and eggs. Sometimes they were poked with a bit of red-hot metal to leave the ale ‘nogged’. How eggnog got its name, some say. The Americans ran with it, piling on eggs, booze, dairy and enough sugar to stun a horse, not far off advocaat. But in the UK, it was The Snowball that stole the post-war show. 

It reigned for a few decades, then slid into the realm of mild national shame. But a slow comeback is on. Especially for those of us who get all tinsel-eyed at this time of year. For Christmas Romantics like yours truly, this is a season of taking it all in. I’ll indulge in a mulled wine, a drink I would never otherwise look at from Hogmanay to Halloween. I’ll sling back a Bailey’s if you’re offering. A sherry? Don’t mind if I do. Some Port? Rude not to. 

Nothing needs tradition like Christmas. Without it, the whole thing would stop. Winding back isn’t an indulgence so much as a duty. For Drummer Boy and Country, leading up to, and on Christmas 2025, I will blend a Dutch liqueur with lemonade and freshly squeezed tropical fruit. It’s proper British culture, as my roommate would say. 

The people yearn for nostalgia. They long to not have to be so desperately cool and pretend they want something “sophisticated”. They want a drink that tastes delicious, requires fuck-all prep, and suits the season. Santa hat, terrible jumper, Snowball. That’s how I’ll be rollin’ this ‘mas. Why not you? Tell ya friends. Spread the word. Turn a mumour into a shout. Bring back The Snowball.

How to make a Snowball

This Snowball recipe is the classic. That means advocaat from Warninks, part of the mighty De Kuyper group. Unlike cauliflower, it is traditional**. If you’re going really 1970s, you need R White’s Lemonade, especially with Mace and Consort in short supply. Most recipes now will have fresh lime juice, too, which is a nice touch. Rose’s Lime Cordial will keep the nostalgia train running if you’re not one for manual labour. 

Remember, keep your advocaat in the fridge once opened. But if you’re at the right party, that bottle will be empty and go straight into the recycling. 

Here’s the recipe:

50ml Warninks Advocaat

25ml fresh lime juice

150ml lemonade

Pop your advocaat and lime juice in a shaker with ice, then pour into an ice-filled highball glass. Top up with lemonade and stir. Or you can serve it straight up in a coupe, just make sure you use chilled lemonade. Garnish with a Maraschino Cherry.

The Spicy Snowball

If The Snowball isn’t Christmassy enough for you, then here’s a Master of Malt twist. It’s still sweet, but adds wintery spice and everything nice with rum flavoured with real Christmas pudding.

How to make a Spicy Snowball

30ml Project #173 Christmas Pudding Rum

50ml Warninks Advocaat

25ml lime cordial or fresh lime juice

150ml lemonade

Fill a glass with ice, then add the lime juice or lime cordial. Pour the rum, advocaat, and lemonade over the ice and stir gently until the outside of the glass feels cold.

Have a Merry Christmas, everyone. 

*Not that load of PG-rated, Disney-assed, Which? magazine-approved, childproof, high-vitamin, fucking bullshit you get nowadays. Yes, I like Peep Show.

**Bring back The Snowball!