The Zoksel is a Belgian-style beer cocktail layering a bottle of beer with root beer, lemonade, cola, 7-Up, crème de cassis, and a lemon slice, all combined in a beer pilsner glass. The combination of multiple carbonated drinks with a blackcurrant liqueur accent creates a complex, sweet, and slightly bitter composite drink that is more than the sum of its many parts. It is an inventive, informal drink from Belgian bar culture.
History & Origins
The Zoksel is a modern Belgian drink of disputed origin, reflecting the country's rich tradition of creative beer cocktails and beer mixing that is distinct from the rest of the world's beer culture. Belgium is home to some of the world's most complex ales, and the tradition of enhancing or mixing beer with syrups and other drinks is well established there. The name 'Zoksel' is Belgian in character, though its specific etymology and creator remain unverified.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Beer malt and hop character layered with root beer's vanilla-sassafras, cola's caramel, and lemonade's citrus, all threaded through by crème de cassis's blackcurrant sweetness. Palate: Complex and multi-textured, with the various carbonated drinks creating a lively effervescence; the beer's bitterness grounds the sweetness of the soft drinks, while cassis adds a dark berry depth. Finish: Lightly bitter and slightly sweet with lingering malt and blackcurrant.
Pro Tip
Pour the beer first to form the base, then add the soft drinks and cassis gently to preserve carbonation and achieve the intended complex flavor layering.
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