For anyone that knows me, they will surely know that I like beer. I am far from a beer connoisseur – I prefer easy-drinking lagers and pilsners to stouts and ales – but that’s not to say that I’m not all for experimentation. And with the summer months upon us, I find that beer cocktails might just be the perfect way to enjoy a beer that one might not otherwise favour. It may not be for everyone, but check out the recipes below and see if something takes your fancy. Make them at home or maybe see if your local bartender feels like getting creative!
Strawberry Blonde Brewjito (strawberry mojito made with beer)
Ingredients
– 1 strawberry
– mint leaves
– 0.5oz lemon juice
– 0.25oz of agave nectar (or simple syrup for us simpler types)
– 1.5oz rum
– 5oz blonde ale (I suggest Beau’s Lug Tread Lagered Ale)
Directions
Chop strawberries and combine them with the mint, lemon juice and simple syrup and muddle. Add the rum and ice and shake well. Top up with your Lug Tread and you have a perfect summer sipper. Actually, we should probably mix up a pitcher.
Source: Jerry James Stone, Bay Area Bites (KQED)
Cerveza Nicole
Ingredients
– 0.5 oz Camapri
– 0.5 oz vodka
– Peroni beer
Directions
Just add ice! This one is pretty tame on the beer flavour scale, but oh so refreshing!
Source: Campari America
Black Velvet
Ingredients
– chilled Guinness
– chilled champagne
Directions
Fill a champagne flute halfway with stout and top up with champers. Created in London in 1861 for Prince Albert’s funeral, this royal tipple is classic, androgynous deliciousness.
Liquid Pie
Ingredients
– 1oz bourbon
– 0.5oz lemon juice
– 0.5oz agave nectar (again, we’ll probably use simple syrup if you can’t get your hands on the nectar)
– 2 blackberries
– 6 blueberries
– 3oz pilsner (try Creemore Springs pilsner)
Directions
Muddle the berries, simple syrup and lemon juice until the berries are nicely mushy. Add bourbon and ice, shake like crazy and pour into a champagne flute. Top up with pilsner and voila!
Source: Ashley V Routson, beermixology.com
Snakebite
Ingredients
– Amsterdam Tempest Imperial Stout
– Pommies Dry Cider
Directions
This traditional English bevvie is normally served with lager rather than stout, but this version has a tad more clout in the taste department! Equal parts of each will do the trick. A splash of blackberry cordial will turn it into another popular version in the UK called Diesel… perfect for the sweeter tooth.
Red Eye
Ingredients
– 1oz vodka
– 6oz chilled tomato juice (or Clamato juice if you prefer)
– 12oz of your fave beer
Directions
This one is a cottage classic and perfect for the morning after. Some people have been known to crack an egg into theirs… go on, I dare you!
Apricot Margarita
Ingredients
– 3oz IPA (I recommend Mad Tom IPA from Muskoka Brewery)
– 0.5oz apricot jam
– 1oz fresh lime juice
– 1oz fresh lemon juice
– 1.5oz tequila
Directions
Add all ingredients into a shaker and give’r! Then pour over ice and give yourself a pat on the back… You are now the King/Queen of beer cocktails. Bravo!
Source: Jerry James Stone
