5 Beer Cocktails That Will Keep You Company On a Warm Summer Evening

What’s better on a hot summer’s evening than an ice cream? A chilled mug of frosty and bubbling beer. Moreover, there is nothing quite like a beer cocktail to unwind with. The refreshing qualities of beer blended with a plethora of flavours, are you ready to put your inner mixologists to the test?

We’ve rounded up 5 super easy beer cocktails you can make the next time you’re hosting your friends or are just sitting around on a hot Sunday afternoon watching Schitt’s Creek for the millionth time. After all, it’s happy somewhere, isn’t it?

Beer margarita (or Beergarita, if you will)

Think of this cocktail as the underrated first cousin of the infamous margarita. It takes the tequila and blends it with the freshness of beer, the zingyness of lime juice and the spice of chilli powder to create a burst of flavour. For all those of you who aren’t big fans of fruity cocktails, this one is for you’ll!

Ingredients

1.  2 limes, zested
2.  2 tsp sea salt
3. 1 tsp mild chilli powder
4. 50ml tequila
5. 50ml lime juice
6. 25ml sugar syrup
7. 500ml lager beer

Method

• Zest 2 limes onto a plate and mix with 2 tsp of flaky sea salt and 1 tsp mild chilli powder. Rub a wedge of lime around the rim of 2 glasses then press them into the lime mix.
• Tip crushed ice and a lime wedge into each glass. Mix 50ml of tequila, 50ml of lime juice and 25ml of sugar syrup. Divide this mix between two glasses and top up with the larger beer.

Summer Shandy

One of the easiest, most stupid-proof beer cocktails you can make. The Summer Shandy (with its bubbly personality) will effortlessly ease all your summer (and your mid-week) blues in just three simple ingredients. Are you ready to meet your new BFF?

Ingredients:

1. 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh squeezed lemon juice
2. 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) simple syrup
3. 4 ounces (8 tablespoons) soda water
4. 6 ounces (12 tablespoons) craft wheat beer (or light beer)
5. For the garnish: Lemon wedge (optional)

Method:

• In a beer glass, stir the simple syrup and lemon juice.
• Add the soda water and beer and stir gently to combine. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

Michelada

A classic Mexican drink with a beer-y twist, who doesn’t love that? This cocktail is the South American version of the classic Bloody Mary and it’s ridiculously easy to make. If this is your first time experimenting with beer cocktails, this is the drink to go with.

Ingredients:

1. 1 pinch salt
2. 1 pinch of cayenne pepper
3. 1 lime wedge
4. 1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
5.  2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
6.  2 dashes of Tabasco sauce
7.  1 pinch ground black pepper
8.  1 pinch celery salt
9.  1 bottle lager beer, chilled (use Mexican beer if its authenticity that you’re after)
10.  Garnish: lime wedge

Method

• Add equal parts salt and cayenne pepper to a plate or shallow bowl. Rub the lime wedge along half the rim of the pint glass and then dip the rim into the salt-cayenne mixture.
• Add the lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, black pepper and celery salt into the glass.
• Fill with the beer and garnish with a lime wedge.

Citrus Beer Sangria

For your next girl’s night in, this citrus beer sangria is fruity, fresh and it packs a punch (the main alcohols are vodka and beer so duh!). Besides, who can say no to some boozy fruit?

Ingredients:

1. 1 large grapefruit (washed and thinly sliced)
2. 1 large orange (washed and thinly sliced)
3. 1 large lemon (washed and thinly sliced)
4. 1 large lime (washed and thinly sliced)
5. 1 ½ cups pineapple juice
6. 1 cup vodka
7.  36 ounces wheat beer 

Method:

• Combine sliced fruit, pineapple juice and vodka in medium-sized container. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• Transfer mixture to a pitcher
• When you’re ready to serve, combine beer with the fruit mixture in a large pitcher

Pro Tip: If you can, refrigerate the fruit and vodka mixture overnight.

Classic Shandy

A shandy has lots and lots of variations and it all began in Europe in the mid-1800s. The classic shandy (the old-school way) is a refreshing blend of ginger ale and beer. It’s for all the hot summer days where you need a drink as well as a little boost of hydration! Did we mention it tastes delicious?

Ingredients:

1. 6 ounces lager beer
2. 6 ounces ginger ale (or ginger beer, lemon-lime soda (7 UP), or sparkling lemonade)
3. For the garnish: lemon wedge (optional)

Method:

• Add the beer and mixer to a glass and stir gently to combine.
• Garnish with a lemon wedge.