Here's how the saying should go: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Then pour it in your beer." After doing so, you'll have joined the grand Shandy-esque tradition of spiking lager with a citrus mixture, a combo meant to lighten up the drink's alcohol content and refreshment factor. (One thing it will not lighten up is the attitude of devoted beer geeks -- don't try this one in the company of a connoisseur.)
If you enjoy the blend, you'll be in strong international company, as nearly every country has a Shandy variation in its alcohol annals. In Germany, pilsner plus lemon-lime soda gets you a Radler; add grenadine and you've got France's Monaco cocktail.
Cocktail
Sanding off the edges of a beer with a non-alcoholic mixer -- especially if it's carbonated -- also makes Shandy a viable morning-after hangover cure. Consider it the hair of a very good-natured dog.
In addition to the classic Black Velvet cocktail and the Boilermaker, here are some popular options for blending your favorite brew.
1.) Lager and Lime
In Texas, feel free to order this as the Gringo Honeymoon
12 oz Beer
1.5 oz Lime juice
Combine slowly in a pint glass and stir. Watch out for the head!
2.) The Michelada
A beer-based alternative to the Bloody Mary.
1 oz Fresh lime juice
3 dashes hot sauce
2 dashes soy sauce or Maggi seasoning
3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
Chilled Mexican beer, such as Pacifico
Rim the edge of a highball glass with salt. Fill glass with ice and add the lime juice and seasonings; top with beer and stir.
3.) The Snakebite
1 part Stout
1 part Cider
Combine in a pint glass, stir gently.
4.) The Cincinatti Cocktail
1 part Soda water
1 part Microbrew
Combine in a pint glass; best served as a morning after curative.
5.) The Groundskeeper
Adapted from Esquire
1 oz ultrasmoky single-malt Scotch
12 oz American pilsner
Combine in a pilsner glass. Possibly endure the criticism of both beer and scotch drinkers.
Comments
It's pretty crucial to note that the "lemonade" in a shandy is not the American idea of lemonade, but a clear, carbonated citrus soda, much like 7-Up or Sprite. Using Minute Maid would make for quite a different outcome in the finished drink!
Sep 25, 2010 at 12:00 PM
I vaguely recall college days with 1/3 beer, 1/3 lemonade and 1/3 gin as a "Skip and go Naked"
Can anyone confirm this?
Sep 25, 2010 at 5:47 PM
the 1/3 beer, 1/3 lemonade and 1/3 gin is very tasty, too tasty in fact -- we always called it "Sip and Go Naked" -- it's excellent made with an amber beer, something with a little more substance, yes? Oh, and don't use your best gin for this one, will get lost in the other flavors.
Sep 25, 2010 at 6:22 PM
I'm from Rockford, IL, and we called (my parents) a "Skip and Go Naked". Our recipe is Frozen Concentrated Lemonade, standard beer like Bud or MIchelob, and Vodka. Read the frozen lemonade instructions, but instead of water, use beer. Top off with about 1/3 can of Vodka to dry the mix a bit. Do this in a pitcher, and stir lightly. The frozen lemonade can be brought to room temp, because it's hard to mix if frozen. Pour over ice in highball glasses. Add more Vodka if you want. Perfect on a hot summer day, or anytime...
Sep 25, 2010 at 9:02 PM
I am trying to remember a cocktail that my mother used to call "une marquise" with rum, orange juice and champagne. It was scrumptious.
Would you have the recipe?
Thank you
FW
Sep 26, 2010 at 9:21 AM
Matt
The snakebites I had in England also had a shot of black currant flavoring; even more refreshing. Raspberry or blackberry flavoring would work as well.
Another good one is any pumpkin/pumpkin spice ale with a shot of coconut rum in it. Amazingly delicious fall drink
Sep 26, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Fourty years ago at my university a true Skip And Go Naked consisted of 0ne (1) six oz. can of pink lemonade concentrate; one (1) six oz. container of gin and 12oz. of beer. We were not math majors so we had to stay with simple measurements. This is a great drink only rivaled by the Purple Jesus.
Sep 26, 2010 at 1:30 PM
"beer-rita" 12oz. your favorite tequilla ,12oz. frozen lime juice concentrate,12 oz water and yes, 12 oz of your everdayer beer! yes it workks! add ice and serve in your regular "rita" glass. everything measured in the lime juice container...no measuring cups needed!
Sep 26, 2010 at 11:38 PM
goinna miss summer...
Sep 26, 2010 at 11:39 PM
A michelada is the perfect cure for the hang over. If in Mexico and ordering a michelada, consult the recipe with the bartender or waiter before ordering.
In Guadalajara a "michelada" is simply lime juice, salt and beer of choice and a "chelada" is the recipe mentioned above only in Mexico we use a bloody mary mix-like base instead of just hot sauce. Both michelada and chelada are delicious, refreshing and most important, a great sure for a hangover...but quite different in taste.
In Mexico City, the recipies are reversed. Like i said, just consult with the service staff to clarify. I wish I had either now for this Monday morning head ache.
Sep 27, 2010 at 9:25 AM
61
Courgette is right about the shandy, always British "lemonade." Also for the snakebite, it should be hard cider such as Bulmer's, Woodpecker, etc. not our American fall staple.
Sep 27, 2010 at 10:59 AM
Oh man, I just looove this crowd. I learn as much from you guys as from the "The Spirit".
Sep 27, 2010 at 6:40 PM
THE CHELADA/MICHELADA DRINK IS AWESOME AFTER A HOT ACTIVITY ON THE BEACH(OR YARDWORK!)...I LIKE TO USE 1/2 CLAMATO AND 1/2 V8, LOTS OF FRESH LIME AND YOUR FAVORITE HOT SAUCE IN ADDITION TO THE PILSNER STYLE BEER..VERY REFRESHING AND QUITE AN APPETITE OPENER BEFORE GRILLING..TRUE ALSO FOR A GOOD HANGOVER CURE WITH ASPIRIN!
Oct 02, 2010 at 6:51 AM
The Guadalajara "michelada" mentioned above is also called a Chevelas at Taqueria Tlaquepaque in San Jose, CA. It is usually made with Corona or Negra Modelo with lime juice and served in a frosted mug with a salted rim. A very popular drink around here.
Jun 21, 2011 at 3:34 PM
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