A staple of the British pub, the Diesel blends equal parts lager and dry cider with a dash of blackcurrant cordial, the cordial poured in after the lager and before the cider tops the glass. The blackcurrant turns the pale, golden mixture a deep purple-black approaching the color of Guinness. Served in a pint glass at roughly 3.5 percent ABV and about 231 calories, it is a long, sessionable drink rather than a spirit cocktail. The dramatic darkening of the liquid, out of proportion to the small amount of cordial used, is the build's signature visual effect.
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Diesel
Ingredientes
- Lager 1/2 pint
- Cider 1/2 pint
- Blackcurrant cordial 1 dash
Instruções
Pour the lager first then add the blackcurrant cordial. Top up with the cider. The colour sholud be very dark approaching the colour of Guiness.
O Diesel é um clássico dos pubs britânicos que mistura partes iguais de cerveja lager e sidra seca com um toque de cordial de groselha negra. A groselha tinge a mistura dourada e clara de um roxo muito escuro, quase negro, lembrando a aparência da Guinness. É uma bebida longa e sessionável destinada a ser servida num copo tipo pint.
History & Origins
The Diesel is a staple of British pub culture, believed to have originated in the UK during the 1970s or 1980s when blended beer-and-cider drinks became fashionable. It is closely related to the snakebite but distinguished by the addition of blackcurrant cordial. Origin and authorship are disputed and unrecorded.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: yeasty lager malt, dry apple from the cider, and sweet dark berry from the blackcurrant cordial. Palate: lightly malty and crisp with a sweet-tart blackcurrant note running through the mid-palate. Finish: dry apple and berry with gentle carbonation.
Pro Tip
Pour the lager first, add the blackcurrant cordial, and gently top with cider to maintain the carbonation and achieve an even deep-purple color.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ingredients in a Diesel and how is it made?
A Diesel is a British pub cocktail made with equal parts lager beer, dry cider, and blackcurrant cordial (Ribena or similar), served in a pint glass. The three ingredients are combined by pouring the lager first, adding the cider, then the blackcurrant cordial last, which sinks and creates a purple-black colour effect. No shaking or ice is typically used.
What is the origin and cultural context of the Diesel?
The Diesel is a classic British pub drink, part of a broader tradition of mixing beers and ciders with cordials that includes drinks like the Snakebite (lager and cider) and the Lager Top (lager with lemonade). It is particularly associated with pub culture in England and is a popular choice among those who want a fruit-sweetened alternative to plain beer or cider. It has been a pub staple since at least the 1980s.
Are there variations of the Diesel and what is its ABV?
The Diesel's ABV varies depending on the specific lager and cider used but is typically around 4-5% ABV, similar to standard beer strength. Variations include using different flavours of cordial such as lime or raspberry, or adjusting the lager-to-cider ratio. Some versions omit the cider entirely for a simpler Lager and Blackcurrant. In some UK regions it is called a 'Purple Nasty' or similar local names.
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