Blackcurrants are now legal in the US, after the ban on growing it was lifted a few years ago. Their juice is delicious, and full of all that healthy stuff like flavinoids, vitamin C and antioxidants. And even better, it’s grown domestically (the brands I’ve seen are all here in the Northeast). Less food miles = better for the environment? All though Culpeper does assign rulership of all currants to Venus, I’m going to reassign it to Saturn due to it’s not-so-sweet flavor, and near black color.

I used to live for Snakebites during my summers spent in Scotland. The drinking age started at 16 back then and in US would have me wait five more years before I could legally drink. So, my sister and I, and our British bud, Duart, would get snockered on Snakebites until the wee hours in Edinburgh. And by wee hours I mean 1am. Yup. Last call was at 12:45am. For all the talk of those Scots being able to drink, they sure did’t know how to run a pub. I was later told that serving Snakebites had been outlawed due to it’s aggressively drunken effects leading to one too many pub fights. I must admit that the combination of hard cider and lager goes straight to one’s head. The added shot of blackcurrant helps the pints slide down even easier. Maybe that’s where the name came from… the innebriation kind of creeps up on you, like a slithering snake. The shot of blackcurrant was provided by the famous concentrated blackcurrant juice, RIBENA, which was not sold here in the States. Another item we’d schlep back with us, along with the haggis, blood pudding and spotted dick. Of course I jest, the British Isles weren’t exactly a vegetarian paradise.

One of my all time favorite cities, Edinburgh is built around an ancient stone fortress and it’s streets are packed with fashion, art, culture and fish -n- chips!

SNAKEBITE
* pale lager OR dark stout
* hard cider
* blackcurrant syrup***

Pour glass full of equal amounts lager and cider. Add a shot of blackcurrant syrup and stir.

(if you do not have blackcurrant syrup, RIBENA, or CREME DE CASSIS can be used as a replacement).

***BLACKCURRANT SYRUP:
In saucepot, combine 1 cup blackcurrants, 1/2 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Bring to boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Add shot of vodka and a couple drops of lemon oil to preserve (if you have, great).
***if you don’t have actual berries, make with one cup sugar and two cups blackcurrant juice instead.

HOW HILARIOUS IS THIS LABEL ON THE RIBENA BOTTLE?