Snowball Cocktail Recipe

Looking for a retro cocktail that’s fun and easy? The Snowball just might be what you’re after. It’s creamy, light, and has a little fizz that sets it apart from other classics.

The Snowball cocktail is a simple mix of advocaat, lemonade, and a squeeze of fresh lime.

Honestly, I like this drink because it walks that line between sweet and refreshing. It’s quick to throw together, and you definitely don’t need any fancy gadgets or rare ingredients.

The combo of advocaat and lemonade gives it this smooth, almost nostalgic texture that’s hard to beat.

This recipe fits in at a casual get-together or just a quiet night at home. You’ll find everything you need, step-by-step directions, and a heads-up on what flavors to expect when you take that first sip.

Snowball Cocktail Recipe

I love how this drink pulls creamy advocaat together with sharp citrus. It manages to feel festive, but it’s not fussy.

The smooth texture really makes it pop compared to a lot of other cocktails.

Equipment

To make this, I usually just grab a few basics. A cocktail shaker is great for blending the advocaat and citrus juice until it’s nice and smooth.

A strainer helps pour the drink clean, so you don’t end up with random ice chunks.

I’ll serve it in a highball glass if I want something tall, or a cocktail glass for a smaller, more classic look. A bar spoon is handy for giving it a gentle stir after topping with lemonade or lemon-lime soda.

Sometimes I go for a sugar rim on the glass, just for a little extra. A knife and cutting board come in handy for slicing up lemon or lime wedges.

And if I’m feeling fancy, I’ll toss in a few maraschino cherries for garnish.

• Cocktail shaker
• Strainer
• Highball glass or cocktail glass
• Bar spoon
• Knife and cutting board
• Sugar for rim (optional)
• Ice cubes

Ingredients

The main thing here is advocaat, a Dutch liqueur made with eggs, sugar, and brandy. It’s what gives the cocktail its creamy base.

You’ll want something tart to balance it out. Fresh lime juice or lemon juice does the trick.

I usually top it up with lemonade or lemon-lime soda for that fizzy, fresh finish. Sometimes I’ll throw in a splash of amaretto if I’m in the mood for a little nutty twist.

Ice keeps it chilled, and a good garnish makes it look like you put in more effort than you actually did.

• 2 oz advocaat (Dutch liqueur)
• 1 oz lime or lemon juice
• 3–4 oz lemonade or lemon-lime soda
• Optional: 0.5 oz amaretto
• Ice cubes
• Lemon wedge or wheel for garnish
• Maraschino cherry for garnish
• Sugar for rim (optional)

Instructions

I usually start by chilling my glass with some ice cubes. If I’m in the mood for a sugar rim, I’ll rub a lemon wedge around the edge and dip it in sugar.

Then I add advocaat and lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Give it a good shake until it’s smooth and a bit frothy.

Strain that into your glass. Top it off with lemonade or lemon-lime soda, and stir gently with a bar spoon.

To finish, I’ll add a lemon slice and a maraschino cherry on top.

• Chill glass with ice
• Rim glass with sugar (optional)
• Add advocaat and lime juice to shaker with ice
• Shake until smooth
• Strain into glass
• Top with lemonade or lemon-lime soda
• Stir gently
• Garnish with lemon slice and cherry

Notes

I’ve found this cocktail is way better when you use fresh citrus. Bottled juice just tastes kind of flat and can make things too sweet.

If I want it lighter, I go heavier on the soda and lighter on the advocaat. For something creamier, I’ll use more advocaat and skip the amaretto.

The glass you pick actually changes the vibe. Highball glasses feel more laid-back, while cocktail glasses give it a touch of class.

Sometimes I’ll play with the garnish too—maybe a lemon wheel and a cherry if I want extra color.

Tasting Notes

When I take my first sip of a classic Snowball, the creamy texture is the first thing that hits me.

The fizz from the lemonade lifts everything, so it somehow feels lighter than you’d expect.

The snowball taste is this nice balance of sweet and tart. The advocaat gives it that custardy richness, but then the citrus steps in with a gentle sharpness that keeps things from getting too heavy.

Sometimes I catch these subtle vanilla notes hiding in the background.

They mix with the eggy sweetness, and honestly, it almost tastes like a soft dessert—just a bit.

The finish is pretty clean, not overpowering at all.

I like that the sweetness hangs around a little, but never takes over.

For me, the Snowball is best in small sips.

It feels festive, but it’s also just really easy to drink—maybe that’s why I keep coming back to it at relaxed get-togethers.