Snakebite is not illegal. The widespread misconception that this popular mixed drink is banned stems from specific regulations concerning how alcoholic beverages, particularly those served from draught, must be measured and sold in licensed premises.
Understanding the Legal Framework
The core of the issue lies in the legal requirements for serving draught products like cider and lager. To ensure fair trade and consumer protection, alcohol sold from a tap must adhere to precise, legally defined measures.
- Mandatory Measures for Draught Products: In many jurisdictions, including the UK, draught beverages are legally permitted to be sold only in specific quantities, typically one-third pint, half pint, or full pint measures. This regulation ensures consistency and transparency in sales.
- The "Half Pint of Snakebite" Conundrum: The restriction on serving a "half pint of snakebite" as a named menu item arises because snakebite is a combination of two separate draught products: cider and lager. If a pub were to sell a "half pint of snakebite," it would inherently mean serving incomplete, non-standard measures of both its individual components (e.g., a quarter pint of cider and a quarter pint of lager). Since individual draught products must always be dispensed in legal measures, this method of sale is not permissible under licensing laws.
How Snakebite Can Be Legally Served
Despite these specific measurement regulations, snakebite remains a perfectly legal and commonly served drink. Pubs and bars navigate this by adhering to the rules for the individual components:
- Ordering Components Separately: The solution is simple and widely practiced. Instead of ordering "a half pint of snakebite," a customer would typically order "a half of cider and a half of lager." Both the cider and the lager are then poured into the same pint glass, thereby forming snakebite.
- This method complies with the law because each component (the half pint of cider and the half pint of lager) is sold in a legal, measured quantity.
- Composition and Popularity: Snakebite typically consists of equal parts lager and cider, offering a distinct flavor profile that combines the crispness of cider with the lighter body of lager. Some variations include a dash of blackcurrant cordial, known as "snakebite and black" or "diesel." Its popularity stems from its unique taste and often higher alcohol content compared to a single-component pint.
Why the Misconception Persists
The persistent belief that snakebite is illegal often stems from a misunderstanding of specific alcohol licensing and trade measurement laws. It's not the drink itself that is prohibited, but rather certain methods of its sale that would violate regulations designed to ensure accurate measurement of individual alcoholic products. The emphasis is on the legal sale of components rather than the final mixed product when referring to draught measures.
