Scotland's luminous green pint
The Venom cocktail
The Venom is a bright green Scottish party drink made with vodka, Southern Comfort, blue WKD or VK and orange juice, served over ice in a pint glass. It was created in Glasgow in 2008 by DJ and cocktail creator Ross McGregor.
Jump to the recipe- Created byRoss McGregor
- WhereGlasgow
- When2008
Who created the Venom?
The Venom was created by Ross McGregor, a Glasgow DJ and cocktail creator, in 2008.
How it came about
Ross came up with the drink in Glasgow in 2008. He and his team were looking for a cocktail bars could build quickly from simple products, poured straight into the glass with no shaker or specialist kit. Ross was a big fan of Southern Comfort, so it went in alongside vodka, blue WKD or VK and orange juice.
Why it's called the Venom
The name is a twist on the snakebite, the classic pub mix, with a bite of its own.
Within a few years the Venom had spread from Glasgow's clubs to pubs and bars across Scotland, and it is now one of the best known party drinks in the country.
Its popularity went well beyond what anyone expected. Bars began serving it by the pitcher and in towers, Scottish bars abroad such as the famous Highlander in Ibiza put it on the menu, bars made their own versions in other colours, and drinks brands started selling Venom flavoured cans and premixes.
Ross went on to become a director of the company behind Cocktail Week, which brings signature cocktails to the best bars in towns and cities across the UK and Ireland.
He is also a co-owner of Temple Lane, a late night cocktail bar in Dundee and the wristband pick-up point for Dundee Cocktail Week. It features in our guide to the best cocktail bars in Dundee.
How the Venom spread
- 2008Ross McGregor creates the Venom in Glasgow: a simple built cocktail with Southern Comfort at its heart, named as a twist on the snakebite.
- Glasgow clubsIt becomes a favourite in the city's clubs, poured by the pint.
- Across ScotlandPubs and bars around the country add it to the menu, with pitchers and towers to share.
- AbroadScots take it with them, and Scottish bars around the world pour it, like the famous Highlander in Ibiza.
- New coloursBars create their own spin-offs, such as the Pink Gin Venom with strawberry WKD or VK and lemonade.
- 2018Dragon Soop launches a Venom flavoured alcoholic energy drink.
- 2019WKD launches WKD Venom and WKD Anti Venom, ready-mixed cocktails in 440ml cans.
- LockdownGlasgow cocktail delivery services keep it going at home, including Venom slushes.
- PremixesBottled versions arrive, such as Pure Venom from Gorbals Drinks Co.
- 2022Ross helps launch Cocktail Week, which has since run in 23 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland.
- 2024GlasgowWorld publishes the history of the Venom, crediting Ross as its creator.
- TodayStill one of Scotland's best known party drinks.
How to make a Venom
Ingredients
- 25ml vodka
- 25ml Southern Comfort
- 275ml bottle of blue WKD or VK
- Orange juice, to top up
- Ice
Method
- Fill a pint glass with ice.
- Pour in the vodka and Southern Comfort.
- Add the bottle of blue WKD or VK.
- Top up with orange juice and give it a stir. It turns luminous green.
Why is it green?
The colour is the whole trick. Blue WKD or VK on its own is bright blue. Add orange juice and the two mix to a glowing, acid green.
Many bars make their own version, so you will find small changes from place to place: a different vodka, or a pitcher made to share.
Venom variations
The original
Vodka, Southern Comfort, blue WKD or VK and orange juice, served by the pint.
Pink Venom
25ml pink gin, 25ml vodka and a 275ml bottle of strawberry WKD or VK, topped with lemonade.
Pitchers and towers
The same mix scaled up to share, which is how many Scottish bars serve it on a busy night.
Venom questions
Who created the Venom cocktail?
The Venom was created by Glasgow DJ and cocktail creator Ross McGregor in 2008.
What is in a Venom?
Vodka, Southern Comfort, a bottle of blue WKD or VK and orange juice, over ice in a pint glass. The usual measures are 25ml vodka, 25ml Southern Comfort and a 275ml bottle of blue WKD or VK, topped up with orange juice.
Why is the Venom green?
Blue WKD or VK and orange juice mix to make green. That is what gives the Venom its luminous colour.
Why is it called the Venom?
Ross McGregor named it as a twist on the snakebite, the classic pub mix.
How did the Venom come about?
In 2008 Ross and his team in Glasgow wanted a cocktail bars could build quickly from simple products, with no shaker or specialist kit. Ross was a big fan of Southern Comfort, so he combined it with vodka, blue WKD or VK and orange juice.
Where does the Venom come from?
Glasgow, Scotland, where Ross McGregor created it in 2008. It spread to clubs and pubs across Scotland.
How strong is a Venom?
Made with 25ml vodka, 25ml Southern Comfort and a 275ml bottle of blue WKD or VK, a pint of Venom is roughly 3 UK units of alcohol. The UK Chief Medical Officers advise not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week. Pace yourself and have water between drinks.
What is a Pink Venom?
A Pink Venom, or Pink Gin Venom, swaps in pink gin and strawberry WKD or VK and is topped with lemonade instead of orange juice.
Find your next signature cocktail
Cocktail Week brings signature cocktails from £5 to the best bars in towns and cities across the UK and Ireland, ten days at a time.
Sources
- GlasgowWorld, "History of the Venom: Glasgow's green cocktail origins, variations, and recipes", 6 April 2024.
- The Scottish Sun, "Dragon Soop launch own version of Venom cocktail", 19 October 2018.
- Club Tropicana, "Scotland's Famous Venom Drink", 4 March 2022.
- Scottish Grocer, "WKD is ready to bite back", 3 July 2019.