Snake Wine of Laos: Up Close with Bottled Snakes and Other Critters

By Meenakshi J

On a trip to Laos, just across the Mekong from Thailand’s Golden Triangle, I encountered a curious and slightly unsettling sight — bottles of rice wine with snakes and other critters preserved inside.

Known as snake wine, this traditional infusion and unusual drink is rooted in local belief and folk medicine, and is today as much a cultural showpiece as it is a traveller’s curiosity along the Laos border.

And, it is not unusual for travellers to find bottles of rice wine with scorpions, other creatures, and entire snakes preserved inside, at roadside markets near the Golden Triangle.

Snakes and Me

Of course, as a teetotaller, this is not a story about me drinking snake wine. But snakes, in one form or another, have always been part of my life.

They seem to follow me on my travels too — from the forests of Sri Lanka to the Singing Hills of Dalhousie, where I once stumbled upon a lone snake plant by the roadside, almost like a small, silent marker in the landscape.

Living on guarded military campuses, surrounded by thick vegetation, these uninvited visitors are not uncommon. There has hardly been a posting where a snake has not quietly glided into our home or garden, announcing its presence and disappearing just as silently.

Over the years, such encounters have stopped startling me. In fact, I now consider them strangely auspicious.

Perhaps the feeling runs deeper. The snake is also our family deity, and like millions of Indians, we worship it with reverence. So yes — snakes and I go a long way back, in belief, in history, and quite literally, in everyday life.

From Belief to the Border

My trip to Thailand, and subsequently to Laos, turned out to be an education in many ways. Both the countries feel uncannily close to India in their rhythms and faith, and yet so distinct in their everyday expressions.

I shall return to that sense of cultural ‘erudition’ some other time. For now, let me take you to one curious, unforgettable sight along the Laos border — the world of bottled critters, more popularly known as snake wine.

Interesting Parallel from My Other Cultural Work

Below is a short reference to an article I wrote about how faith and conservation come together in India — a reminder that belief systems around animals vary widely but often carry deep meaning:

A Trip to Laos from Thailand

Travelling and exploring new places has always been a way of life for our family. It has helped us break barriers of prejudice, embrace unfamiliar cultures, learn local recipes, make new friends, and above all realise that change and learning are the only constants in life.

On one such journey from Chiang Mai in Thailand, we travelled towards the Golden Triangle near Chiang Saen in Chiang Rai province.

And no — the trip was certainly not in search of snake wine.

What is the Golden Triangle?

The Golden Triangle is a stretch of land along the banks of the Mekong River where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.

This region of Southeast Asia is historically infamous for its role in the illegal opium trade. Yet today it remains a fascinating place to visit.

A boat ride across the Mekong offers sweeping views of the landscape. On the Thai side, a majestic golden Buddha statue greets visitors, while across the river lie verdant hills, fertile farmlands and the slow, expansive waters of the Mekong.

On a clear sunny day, the scenery feels almost postcard perfect.

If you are travelling in northern Thailand, you may also want to explore the cultural and natural attractions around Chiang Mai.

Explore the Golden Triangle from Chiang Mai

If you are travelling in northern Thailand, the Golden Triangle can easily be explored on a day trip from Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. Many tours combine the Mekong boat ride, border markets and nearby temples.

You may want to check these curated experiences:
• Golden Triangle Day Tour from Chiang Mai
• Chiang Rai Temples and Golden Triangle Tour
• Mekong River Boat Trip at the Golden Triangle

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How to Plan a Trip to Laos from the Golden Triangle?

With the advent of the monsoons, the Mekong was gushing and gurgling with strong undercurrents on the day of our visit to Chiang Rai.

We quickly purchased our tickets for a boat ride from the Thailand side of the Golden Triangle. The instructions were clear — we could spend only about 90 minutes exploring the Laos side before returning to Thailand.

Did I mention that visitors must deposit their passports with the Thai authorities before boarding the boat? Yes, and I was quite tense doing it. But do not worry — the officials keep them safely until you return.

On a Boat Ride To Laos and Across the Mekong

Our boat first took us past the Myanmar side of the river, where a large casino stood along the bank.

After a short detour, we began moving towards Laos, which too had a casino along its shoreline.

Curious, I asked one of the locals why Thailand did not have a casino in this region. I was told that the villagers had resisted the idea, as they strictly followed Buddhist principles and did not approve of gambling establishments.

Impressive, I must say.

Stepping into Laos without a Visa

The first sight that greeted us as we stepped onto Laos soil was a group of village children urging visitors to share some eatables.

Not an unfamiliar scene in many parts of Asia, yet still heart-wrenching.

It was almost noon when we arrived, and the heat was intense. Perhaps that explained the sparse crowd, despite this being a well-known tourist stop.

(You may want to check a list of top tips for planning a Laos trip)

Finding Snake Wines at a Laos Market

The small market on the banks of the Mekong sold the usual assortment of souvenirs — bags, wooden toys, trinkets and decorative items.

Nothing seemed particularly unusual after having explored the lively night bazaar of Chiang Mai.

Until I walked closer to one shop.

Rows and rows of bottles lined the shelves — each containing snakes, scorpions and other creatures preserved inside.

My eyes nearly popped out.

The shopkeeper explained that these bottles contained rice wine and alcohol infused with snakes. The labels, however, called them snake whiskey and snake wine.

Eeks.

What is Snake Wine?

In simple terms, snake wine is alcohol or rice wine in which snakes — and sometimes other creatures such as scorpions — are preserved.

But the preparation is more elaborate than it sounds.

The process involves infusing fermented rice wine or strong alcohol with dead snakes, occasionally along with herbs and other ingredients. The mixture is then left to steep for several months.

During this time, the ethanol in the alcohol denatures the venom proteins of the snakes and scorpions, rendering the infusion safe for consumption. This method is commonly referred to as steeped snake wine.

Why Are Snakes Preserved in Bottles of Alcohol?

One question that many travellers ask when they see these bottles is simple — why place a snake inside alcohol in the first place?

In traditional Southeast Asian practice, the alcohol acts as a preserving liquid while the snake and herbs are believed to infuse medicinal properties into the drink. The bottles therefore serve both as a form of folk remedy and as a striking display item in markets along the Laos border.

Snake Blood Wine

We were also told about another variety in which fresh snake blood is mixed with rice wine and consumed immediately.

Rice wine itself is a speciality across much of Southeast Asia, made by fermenting sticky rice. Several regions of Northeast India and parts of eastern India also have their own traditional rice wines.

But seeing snakes preserved in bottles of alcohol was something entirely new to me.

After all, snakes are sacred to us Indians.

Benefits of Snake Wine and Snake Whiskey

Snake whiskey, as these bottles were labelled, is often believed to have medicinal properties.

Some claim it helps treat ailments such as lumbago, while others say it boosts male virility or helps with rheumatism.

There is clearly a strong influence of traditional Chinese medicine in these beliefs, as similar remedies appear in Chinese herbal practices.

So snake wine is certainly not feeding wine to snakes — but steeping snakes in wine.

Tasting Snake Wine — If You Dare

The shopkeepers were more than willing to offer curious tourists a small sample of the snake whiskey.

Being a teetotaller — and for religious reasons — I chose not to taste it.

Several Western tourists, however, were eager to try. Their facial expressions afterwards were… rather entertaining.

To me, the whole experience looked a little too creepy.

The villagers, though, had cleverly covered the display tables with bright red cloths, making the rows of bottled snakes appear strangely colourful.

Snake Wine in Local Markets

In markets along the Laos side of the Golden Triangle, bottles of snake wine like this are often displayed as curiosities for travellers.

Some contain coiled snakes, while others preserve scorpions or lizards in rice alcohol. Most visitors simply photograph the unusual bottles rather than purchase them, but the display remains one of the most striking sights in the market stalls.

How Much Does Snake Wine Cost?

In tourist markets along the Golden Triangle and parts of Laos, bottles of snake wine are often displayed for sale. Prices vary widely depending on the size of the bottle and the type of snake preserved inside.

Smaller souvenir bottles are commonly sold in market stalls, while larger decorative bottles can command higher prices. Many travellers, however, simply stop to photograph the unusual display rather than purchase one.

The End to Our Snake Wine Quest

After this rather unusual encounter with snake wine and learning about how it is made, I was keen to explore more of the village on the Laos side.

But the rest of our group was more interested in shopping — and soon it was time to return to the boat and cross the Mekong back to Thailand.

Once we reached the Thai side, our next stop was a 7-Eleven to grab something to eat before the long drive back to our hotel in Chiang Mai.

But not before collecting our passports, of course.

After all, I had to return to India… and then continue globetrotting.

And are you wondering what the group bought after all that shopping?

Well — nothing at all.

Have you ever come across bottles of alcohol with snakes or scorpions preserved inside? Or experienced something equally unusual on your travels?

Do share your story in the comments.

On this Thailand and Laos trip, I also encountered something equally unusual while travelling through the Doi Inthanon region.

And if you ever gather the courage to taste snake wine — do demand a bravery badge from me.

Until then, keep travelling.

Plan Your Golden Triangle Visit

If you are planning a visit to the Golden Triangle region from Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai, you may want to explore some of the guided tours and experiences available.