Refreshing summer Beer "cocktails".

Who isn't ready for this???

I understand that most of this fine country is still knee deep in the fluffy white stuff. However, those of us in sunny warm Arizona are in the throws of a fantastic midwinter heat wave that has us prepping our pools and dusting off the flip flops. As a result, my craving for refreshing, crisp, citrus-y laden summer beers has started a bit earlier then years past. Because of that, I was on a quest to find a few ways to enjoy summer beers in different ways, and make sitting by pool with a beer something everyone, even those that don't always drink beer, can enjoy. I found a list of beer cocktail recipes on First We Feast, that they put together from other blogs. I found a few that stood out, and wanted to share with you. These cocktails sound amazingly refreshing to drink by the pitcher around the pool this coming summer. (I even included one 'warm" cocktail for those of you still struggling with Old Man Winter)

Quick and Easy Margarita Shandy

I am no fan of the currant wave of "shandy's" on the market, but this one, looks, and sounds quite tasting! Easy recipe to make, and one that most of your pool party going guests are bound to enjoy!
(recipe and photo from Serious Eats).

 

Ingredients

• 1 (12 ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate
• 8 ounces reposado tequila
• 12 ounces water
• 1 lime, thinly sliced
• 24 ounces lager or pilsner, chilled
• Optional: kosher salt for rimming glasses

Recommended Beers: Modelo Especial, Corona

Instructions

1.In a large pitcher, combine limeade concentrate, tequila, and water. Stir until limeade is dissolved. Chill if desired, up to 6 hours, or proceed immediately to next step.

2. Just prior to serving, fill pitcher with ice, lime slices, and beer. Serve in salt-rimmed glasses if desired



 

   Southern Shandy

Another Shandy recipe, this one sounds fruity, refreshing, and again, perfect for sitting around the pool, and this one I think would be prefect for folks that aren't "into" beer.
Recipe from Pretty Plain Jane

Ingredients

• 3 12 oz bottles of ice cold beer (not dark)
• 4 cups of lemonade chilled
• 1/2 cup peach brandy

Beer suggestion: Harp Lager, Amstel Lager

 

 

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients and stir.
2. Pour into glasses filled with ice.

 

 

 

 

 

Mother Redneck

This might just be the most refreshing beer cocktail of them all! Check out this fun, tasty beer cocktail.

Recipe from Backyard Bartender

 

Redneck Mother

Ingredients1 oz  ruby red grapefruit juice (fresh-squeezed!)
.75 oz sloe gin (preferably Plymouth brand)

12 oz beer
Ginger beer

 

Beer recommendation Lone Star, or other light American adjunct lager

Directions

Add the sloe gin and grapefruit juice to the bottom of a pint glass (or mason jar). Fill the remaining portion of the jar halfway with beer and top with ginger beer

 

Hot Beer Flip
Here is a contemporary take on an old, traditional drink recipe that dates back to colonial times. Recipe from DraftMag

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces pale ale
• 1 1/2 ounces lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 ounce brandy or dark rum
• 1 egg yolk (optional)

Beer suggestion: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Dale's Pale Ale


Instructions:
1. Heat 4 ounces of the ale with the lemon juice, sugar, ginger and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar has fully dissolved. Remove from heat.

2. In a large bowl, vigorously beat the brandy or rum with the egg yolk. Add the beer mixture and whisk thoroughly to combine. Transfer to a large glass or beer mug and top with the remaining ale, stir well and serve.



So, there you have it. A few refreshing, cool new ways to enjoy your beer by the pool (and one to enjoy thawing out sitting by the fire). Let me know if you try any of these, and let me know what you think. I will be mixing up a few pitchers of these this summer no doubt!
So, break out the Hawaiian print shirts, bikinis and plastic cups, summer will be here before you know it!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends!

The Beer Czar