This Is Nigella Lawson’s Favourite Christmas Cocktail

Creamy and sweet with a hint of citrus, the Snowball is one of the most classic Christmas cocktails out there. But if you want to jazz it up a bit (or just make it stronger), Nigella Lawson has some ideas. As part of her pre-Christmas Instagram series, Nigella has shared a recipe for the Snowball in Heaven cocktail, which adds vodka into the mix.

What Is A Snowball Cocktail?

When it comes to kitsch Christmas cocktails, the Snowball reigns supreme. The tipple first came about in 1940s Britain, although it didn’t hit its popularity peak until the 1970s – and the details of its origins remain pretty scarce.

It’s traditionally made with advocaat, a traditional Dutch liqueur with a rich, creamy flavour featuring brandy and vanilla, alongside lemonade, often with a maraschino cherry as a garnish. The name comes from the dome of white foam which forms at the top of the drink when the ingredients are mixed together, giving it a decadent, festive feel not dissimilar to eggnog. 

Snowball in Heaven Recipe: Nigella Lawson’s Christmas Cocktail

‘While I have nothing against a straightforward Snowball (and I make mine with one part advocaat to about three parts lemonade, and a spritz of lime), I think we all need something a little stronger this year,’ says Nigella. ‘And so, to bring camp comfort and cheer, I bring you my Snowball in Heaven.’

 

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Ingredients:

• 2 shots vodka
• 1 shot advocaat
• Lemonade to top up
• A spritz of fresh lemon juice or fresh lime juice (optional)
• 1 maraschino cherry (optional)

Method:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add vodka and advocaat (using just 1 shot of vodka and 2 of advocaat if you want a gentler cocktail) and shake well before straining into a martini glass or champagne coupe; these amounts are enough for a glass of 125ml / ½ cup capacity.
3. Top with a splosh of lemonade and, if wished, add a spritz of lemon or lime juice and a maraschino cherry. Chin-Chin!

Recipe created by Nigella Lawson