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Food

A Weird Drink Called 'The Badger' Is Delighting and Horrifying the Masses in England

Nothing says “I don’t follow trends” like ordering a pint of Guinness in an old-school pub. Conversely, nothing quite says "teenagers getting drunk at a house party" like Smirnoff Ice.
Photo via Flickr user meddygarnet

Nothing says "I don't follow trends" like ordering a pint of Guinness in an old-school pub. Conversely, nothing quite says "teenagers getting drunk at a house party" like Smirnoff Ice.

These are two separate worlds which should never collide, but inevitably do in the world of presumably drunk bartenders concocting new drinks.

READ: Guinness Is Ditching a Gross Secret Ingredient and Going Vegan

This is what appears to have happened in the small English town of Skegness, at the Marine Boathouse bar, where patrons can pick up a "Badger," which is essentially a cold, dark cloud of Guinness… that floats gently above the silvery sweetness of Smirnoff Ice.

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The name of the cocktail is a reference to the short-legged mammal with pronounced black and white streaks on its face.

Now serving the 'Badger' a bottle of Smirnoff Ice, carefully topped up with creamy extra cold Guinness! #youngfarmerspreparation!!!!!!!! March 4th, 5th and 6th at The Marine Boathouse Skegness! Posted by Marine Boathouse Skegness on Thursday, February 11, 2016

Needless to say, the drink has proved very polarizing, and the initial Facebook post announcing its creation received over 2,000 shares and 1,000 likes, with comments ranging from "You'll feel rough as a badger's arse after a few of them" to "What a waste of good Guinness" to "the weirdest drink ever." Many of the comments also alluded to the fact that this unlikely mix of stout and malty alcopop is hardly new.

Samantha Bartlett, bartender and creator of The Badger, also took to Facebook to thank supporters of her strange, black-and-white cocktail.

"I am totally shocked with the interest and publicity that we have received!" she wrote. "The pub trade is something that myself and family are extremely passionate about and we are very proud of our pub in Skeggy! So here's to "The Badger" bottoms up!"

Regardless of the true origin of The Badger, it's a salient reminder that nothing is sacred for the mixologists whose job it is to get people wasted.