In summer, we like sitting in the shade and sipping on a shandy. What's that, you ask? Only the most refreshing way to enjoy beer and lemonade you've ever tasted. We know you're going to love this beer and lemonade cocktail that's bright, yummy, and refreshing.
Summer Shandy: A Beer With Lemonade Cocktail
If the Arnold Palmer had a boozy beer brother, its name would be Shandy. Just like an AP is equal parts lemonade and iced tea, the shandy is equal parts lemonade and beer.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces pale ale or lager
- 6 ounces lemonade
- Lemon wheel for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a pint glass, add pale ale and lemonade.
- Garnish with lemon wheel, if desired.
Variations and Substitutions
The combination of beer with lemonade may have a fairly specific set of ingredients, but we won't get mad if you play a little.
- Skip the pint glass. You can stir your lemonade right into a half-empty bottle or can.
- Add up to a half ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice for a tarter drink.
- Opt for a pale ale or lager with a touch of flavor, such as orange, for a unique spin.
- Add a splash of lemon-lime soda along with the lemonade or even a bit of ginger ale.
Garnishes
A lemon wheel is a reasonably standard garnish to adorn a shandy; however, that doesn't mean you need to follow the recipe exactly.
- Use a different type of citrus, such as orange, lime, or grapefruit.
- Don't feel stuck with a wheel, and you can always use a citrus wedge or slice.
- If you don't want a garnish, don't sweat it. Skip it if it doesn't work for you.
Shandys are common around the world, but they have different names and slightly different ingredients. In Germany, the Radler is a combo of beer and lemon-lime soda. In Spain, it's beer and lemon-lime soda, too, and it's called the Clara.
Sipping a Shandy in the Summer Shade
At first, beer and lemonade may look like unusual bedfellows, but the shandy is the perfect summer drink. The tart, slightly sweet flavors of lemonade are the perfect complement to the citrus notes found in lighter beers, and you'll be a believer after just one sip. Grab your lemonade and beer and get comfortable in a sunny patch of lawn.
