Shandy – Beer & Lemonade Combo
Unfortunately, I didn't capture the Queen Bee that was flying dangerously close to me and the Shandy.
It happened a few days ago that I was having one of those non-problem problems that only someone who spends her time writing about food would have…. I couldn’t decide if I should have homemade lemonade or beer. I know, call Amnesty International, right?
The problem was, it was 4 o’clock – a perfectly legitimate time for an adult beverage, and, yet, lemonade sounded so much more refreshing. And then a stroke of brilliance hit me, as it clearly did for a few other people around the world, that I should mix the two.
Into my beer stein went half of a bottle of Blue Moon and an equal amount of homemade lemonade, and the result was doubly as refreshing as either one alone. Not only that, but this sort of beverage will make the summer all-day-drink-fests (aka BBQs, weekend Sox games, and outdoor concerts) a lot more tolerable, less dehydrating, and less apt to result in a hangover.
Just a note, I kept my lemonade more tart than most recipes call for – mainly because I like the puckeriness of lemons and because I didn’t want to add that much sugar to my diet, but feel free to increase the amount if you prefer yours sweeter.
Click here for a printable version of the recipe
Shandy, Serves 6
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Ingredients:
2/3 Cup Sugar
4 Cups Water
1 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice from 6-8 lemons
Ice
3 Pilsner Beers
Preparation:
Fill a pitcher with ice.
In a small sauce pan, combine the sugar with 1 cup of water and bring to a low boil over medium-high heat until the sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, cut and juice your lemons until you have 1 cup of seed-free juice.
My lemon graveyard.
Combine the sugar water, lemon juice and remaining three cups of water in the ice-filled pitcher.
Pour half of one beer into a beer glass or stein, add equal amounts of the lemonade and serve.
Enjoy!
According to my British pal Hugh, in England a bloke could take a serious ass kicking for adding lemonade to his beer. But then, that’s another topic, and perhaps a different blog.
…or you could just buy this: http://www.leinie.com/summer_shandy.html
I think it’s pretty tasty! And it’s from Wisconsin. And I heart Wisconsin.
Di – Hmmm…. interesting, as it seems that Shandy originated in the UK…. I think I might have to come over and investigate this issue more fully.
CS – I’m sure that I will heart Wisconsin, as well – can’t wait!
You know Jessie, where I come from, this beer lemonade combo is considered alcohol abuse. On the other hand, your recipe ideas have never let me down.
PK, I’ve heard the same from others, as well. I stand by my assessment that this is seriously delicious and seriously refreshing, particularly given the hot, humid, heat-wave we’ve been having around here.
The reason there may be confusion is that “lemonade” in the UK is actually lemon-lime soda. The traditional shandy is half beer and half ginger-beer or ginger-ale, but lemon-lime soda is often the substitute. In its transition to the U.S., Americans just assumed lemonade meant the stuff that we sold as kids on the corner. If you want that in the UK, you have to ask for lemon squash.