One can of lager, one can of basil sparkling lemonade, two ice-cold glasses: a 50/50 shandy ready in two minutes, with a proper foam head.
- Shandy lager
- 2 min
- 2 drinks
- Easy
Recipe
Shandy recipe: beer and lemonade
Ingredients
Makes 2 drinks
No basil lemonade on hand? Plain sparkling lemonade with one basil leaf bruised in the glass works fine.
Method
- Chill the glasses Put two beer glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes, or rinse them with very cold water. Keep the beer and lemonade well chilled.
- Pour the beer Tilt one glass to 45 degrees and pour half the can of beer down the side. Repeat with the second glass.
- Add the lemonade Slowly pour half the can of basil sparkling lemonade into each glass, aiming for the centre to build a fine foam.
- Garnish Float a basil leaf on the foam and hook a lemon wheel on the rim.
- Serve, no stirring Serve right away. The lemonade blends into the beer on its own.
Skip the spoon: stirring knocks the foam down in seconds.
Which ratio?
| Style | Beer | basil lemonade | Estimated ABV | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoppy | 70% | 30% | about 3.5% | Beer lovers |
| Classic | 50% | 50% | about 2.5% | The patio shandy |
| Light | 30% | 70% | about 1.5% | A long afternoon in the sun |
When to serve a beer and lemonade shandy
The patio and barbecue glass: thirst-quenching and lighter than a beer. Sparkling lemonade keeps the bubbles instead of flattening them, and the basil adds a fresh note that loves hops.
Tips for a shandy with a proper foam head
- No ice: it waters the beer down and kills the foam. Chill the cans and the glasses instead.
- Stick to lagers, pilsners and blonde ales. A big hoppy IPA or a stout turns muddy.
- Build it right before serving: a shandy is best in the first few minutes.
Shandy variations
Alcohol-free shandy
Use 1 can of non-alcoholic lager instead of regular beer, with 1 can of basil sparkling lemonade. Same foam, and everyone gets the same drink.
Another flavour
A lime and mint lemonade makes a zippy shandy. A clementine lemonade is great with a Belgian-style wheat beer: one can of each, 50/50.
Pitcher for 8
In a chilled 3 litre pitcher, pour 4 cans of lager, then 4 cans of basil lemonade. Add 8 basil leaves, no ice. Serve within 15 minutes.
Beer and lemonade shandy: your questions
What beer is best for a shandy?
A light, pale beer: lager or pilsner around 4 to 5% alcohol. Wheat beers also work, especially with a clementine lemonade.
What is the difference between a shandy and a radler?
Almost nothing. Shandy in English, radler in Germany and Austria, panaché in Quebec and France: pale beer with lemonade, often half and half.
How much alcohol is in a shandy?
Roughly half of what's in your beer: around 2.5% with a 5% lager at 50/50. That's an estimate that depends on your beer and ratio.
Can you make a shandy without alcohol?
Yes. Swap the lager for a non-alcoholic beer and add the same amount of basil lemonade. Sparkling lemonades contain no alcohol.
Alcoholic versions are for people of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly. Our sparkling lemonades are always alcohol-free.
