Are you looking for a light and refreshing drink to enjoy this season? Look no further than shandy beer! With its low alcohol content and versatility, shandy beer has become a favorite summer beverage. In this article, we will explore what makes shandy beer so fascinating and share with you 20 of the best shandy beer recipes to try.
What is Shandy Beer?
Shandy beer is a cocktail made by mixing equal parts of beer and citrus lemon soda. Unlike other beverages in the market, shandy beer is known for its lightness and refreshing taste. Traditionally, shandy beer is made by combining a blond lager with wheat beer and lemon, which can be carbonated or not.
Due to its light finish, shandy beer is a popular choice for summer drinks. It can also be enjoyed as an easy beer cocktail with various flavors. Nowadays, shandy beer is commonly made by combining beer with lemonade and other fruit juices such as cider, orange, grapefruit, and apple juice.
The Historical Roots of Shandy Beer
The origins of shandy beer can be traced back to the 19th century when a mixture of ale and champagne gained popularity. The primary ingredient in shandy beer during this period was ginger ale. Over time, shandy beer evolved and became known as “shandygaff,” where brewers poured beer and lemonade together. Today, shandies have made their way into bars, pubs, and homes around the world.
In 2007, the beverage company Leinenkugel launched the first bottled shandy beer, bringing shandies to the commercial market. Since then, shandy beer has gained recognition and popularity among beer enthusiasts.
20 Best Shandy Beer Recipes
If you’re ready to try some amazing shandy beer recipes, we’ve got you covered! Here are 20 recipes that will elevate your summer drinking experience:
1. Lemon Grapefruit Shandy Sangria
Ingredients: sliced apple, orange, lime, Meyer lemons, segmented grapefruit, blueberries, lager, lemon juice, lemon syrup, red grapefruit syrup, soda water, ginger beer, and wheat beer. Serve with ice.
2. Classic Lemon Shandy
Ingredients: lemon, beer, and lemonade. Slice the lemon, squeeze its juice into a glass, strain it, pour the beer, and add a splash of lemon.
3. Lemon Summer Shandy
Ingredients: beer, lemonade, and a lemon slice for garnish. Fill a glass halfway with beer, pour in the lemonade, and garnish with a slice of lemon.
4. Ginger Summer Shandy Beer
Ingredients: ginger beer, red stripe beer, crystallized ginger, and lime juice. Mix the ingredients together for a refreshing and light drink.
5. Pineapple Habanero Shandy
Ingredients: orange wheat beer, champagne, lemonade, pineapple, habanero craft puree, orange slices, and pineapple wedges for garnish. Mix the ingredients together and garnish with orange slices and pineapple wedges.
6. Citrus Shandy
Ingredients: Campari, fresh orange juice, Aleppo-style pepper, lime juice, chilled light beer, and kosher salt. Mix the ingredients together for a citrusy and refreshing cocktail.
7. Pilsner Beer Shandy
Ingredients: Pilsner beer, fresh lemons, vodka, agave, lemon wheels, fresh mint, and ice. Mix the ingredients together and chill for an hour before serving.
8. 7Up Shandy
Ingredients: 7Up and your preferred light beer. Combine the two ingredients and garnish with lemon and lime wedges.
9. Blended Shandy Beer
Ingredients: your choice of light beer, sweetened soda or lemonade mix. Blend the ingredients together for a quick and delightful drink.
10. Touchdown Lemon Shandy
Ingredients: lemonade and lager beer. Fill glasses with ice, pour the lemonade, and top it with beer for a refreshing beverage.
11. Campari Shandy Beer Cocktail
Ingredients: lager beer, Campari, and lime juice. Mix the ingredients together and enjoy a unique beer cocktail.
12. Citrus Honey Shandy
Ingredients: honey, vodka, orange juice, hefeweizen beer, fresh lemon juice, and orange slices. Mix the ingredients together and serve with ice cubes.
13. Pomegranate Shandy Beer Cocktail
Ingredients: vegan lager, simple syrup, lemon juice, raspberries, ice, and draft beer. Mix the ingredients together for a fruity and refreshing drink.
14. Pumpkin Ale Shandy
Ingredients: pumpkin ale, orange liquor, orange juice, and apple cider. Mix the ingredients together for a sweet and tart autumn drink.
15. Orange Ade Shandy
Ingredients: oranges, lemons, sugar, and wheat beer. Squeeze the oranges and lemons, add sugar, and mix with wheat beer for a low-alcoholic summer drink.
16. Ginger Beer Shandy
Ingredients: ginger slices, beer, lemon slices, and frozen concentrated lemonade. Mix the ingredients together for a refreshing drink to beat the summer heat.
17. Winter Cranberry Shandy
Ingredients: ginger beer, orange juice, cranberry juice, and light beer. Mix the ingredients together for a bright and lively winter drink.
18. Citrus Shandy with a Twist
Ingredients: ginger, orange, cranberry, and light beer. Mix the ingredients together for a light and refreshing beer with flavors of winter and fall.
19. Homemade Lemon Shandy
Ingredients: ginger, lemon, beer, and lemonade. Mix the ingredients together for an easy-to-make and thirst-quenching shandy beer.
20. Caribbean Shandy Beer
Ingredients: ginger, beer, lemon, and frozen concentrated lemonade. Mix the ingredients together for a refreshing and delightful tropical drink.
With these 20 amazing shandy beer recipes, you can enjoy a wide variety of flavors and experiment with different ingredients. Whether you’re hosting a summer party or simply relaxing by the pool, shandy beer is the perfect drink to cool down and enjoy the season. So grab your favorite ingredients and start making your own shandy beer today!
