
Is ‘snakebite’ just a mixture of lager and cider, or a chemical reaction between the two?
Asked by: Simon Bartlett, via email
There’s no chemical reaction, because the main ingredients are the same: water, alcohol and carbohydrates. So the drinks just mix together. Despite the fact that some bars refuse to sell snakebite, the beverage is actually no more deadly than a pint of beer or cider alone – both drinks tend to have a similar alcohol content, so mixing them just produces a drink of a similar strength.
The feeling of getting drunk quicker is likely to be purely psychological.
Read more:
- How long do six pints of beer stay in my system?
- How long could you survive on beer alone?
- Why do some people get aggressive after drinking alcohol?
- Does altitude affect how you react to alcohol?
Subscribe to BBC Science Focus Magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun facts.
Authors
Dr Emma Davies is a science writer and editor with a PhD in food chemistry from the University of Leeds. She writes about all aspects of chemistry, from food and the environment to toxicology and regulatory science.
Sponsored Deals

Spring Savings!
- Try your first 6 issues for just £9.99 when you subscribe to BBC Science Focus Magazine.
- Risk - free offer! Cancel at any time when you subscribe via Direct Debit.
- FREE UK delivery.
- Stay up to date with the latest developments in the worlds of science and technology.