Strawberry Lemonade Shandy
Fancy a shandy?
I’ll be honest, it seems to be more of a European drink. When I mention shandy to my friends I get one of two reactions; a confused look or a turned up nose. I’m not really sure why the bad rap. Maybe because the version Americans have been exposed to the most are the mass manufactured, pre-bottled, come in a 6-pack variety. I’ve had some of that and let me tell you it almost ruined shandy for me for good. For a long time I thought that all shandies were just weird tasting beer with an odd aftertaste.
On a whim, I decided to revisit the shandy this summer. What actually happened was one of my kids decided to set up a lemonade stand not realizing that we had no cups and no change, which are two key items needed to run a successful lemonade stand. We did however have some lemonade mix and a few lemons sitting around. They’d made up a whole gallon of lemonade before realizing the no cups and no money situation. For a food curious gal like me it’s a natural progression of events that I would do some experimentation with our excess of lemonade supply.
Let me tell you, I was stunned to discover that freshly mixed shandy is actually delightful! Add strawberries and it’s doubly refreshing and delightful! What started as lemonade experiments has turned into a full on obsession for me.
This strawberry lemonade shandy is:
Light
Fresh
Tart
Sweet
Bubbly
With tart sliced lemons and sweet fresh strawberries, this drink is pure sun-kissed lazy summer days in a glass. I could sip on it all evening long and not get tired of it and also not suffer any adverse effects from it. This thirst quencher though technically an alcoholic drink, when mixed has a very, very low alcohol content. In fact, in some areas the low alcohol content of shandies makes them exempt from laws governing the sale of alcoholic beverages. If you needed another reason to give shandies a try, how bout this? They are easy on your wallet.
It’s cheap to put together, sometimes referred to as “poor man’s champagne,” and costs only a few dollars unlike some summer cocktails. So mix up a pitcher of lemonade, crack open a cold one, discover the beauty of a simple strawberry lemonade shandy and put your feet up darling!
Strawberry Lemonade Shandy
Ingredients
- Strawberry lemonade mix ((I use Country TIme))
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1 lemon thinly sliced and seeds picked out
- Beer
Instructions
- Prepare your strawberry lemonade. Add the strawberries and lemons to the lemonade. Mix 50/50 with cold beer and serve.
Nutrition
I’m in awe of how simple (and genius!) this is. My guy likes his after work beer – I can’t wait to see what he says when I make this for him instead 😀
This looks really nice – very refreshing for summer!
This was just the ticket for a summer evening!
I’m so glad you liked it!
Sun-kissed lazy summer days is a perfect description for this drink – cheers!
I don’t even like beer, but this looks absolutely yummy!
I’m not a huge beer fan either Debbie. Every once in a while I have a hankering for one, but it’s seldom. This doesn’t really have a huge beer taste to it, so you might give it a try. And if not, feel free to substitute ginger ale instead!
Must try this! Sounds amazing!
I have a friend who is obsessed with lemonade in her beer, and the thought of using STRAWBERRY lemonade! Yes please!!!
You’ll have to share this with her and then she will love you forever! And maybe even make you cupcakes for your birthday.
This looks really yummy! Perfect for summer, especially for someone who is not a huge drinker. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, exactly right Joanna. For me that is another draw for this shandy. I am not someone who usually drinks much and this is right at my comfort level.
This looks wonderful! Such a gorgeous sipper.
Do you think this would work with non-alcoholic beer? And a fruit other than strawberries? It sounds good!
Yes. I like the simplicity of using a premade mix for the lemonade and there are several other flavors made by Country Time that would work well. Like Black Cherry Lemonade or Raspberry Lemonade.
It would work with non-alcoholic beer and even ginger ale would make a fine substitute for the beer.
Hmmm – I always am wanting a refreshing drink but my problem is I don’t like lemonade and not a beer fan either. Can you find me a refreshing summery type drink that is fruity but not tart? I’m not a peach person – prefer strawberries – and I don’t want it slushy as that gives me chest freeze.
Well Miss Kathie, let me do some brainstorming. I’ll put it on my list!
Mmm, I love a great Shandy, thanks for the recipe!
Yum! That’s like a fruity Radler (beer + lemonade or fruit soda), and I love ordering those at one of our fave local brewpubs on a hot summer day. I’ll have to try this at home. The one you made looks so refreshing!
Funny, I’d never heard the term Radler, but one of my good friends was also talking about them today. If it’s anything like this I’d probably like it.
I hadn’t heard of shandy! I’m sensitive to carbonation but I think I could drink this. I’m going to make it when we get together with friends for the Fourth of July.
I’d love to hear what you and your friends think of it! It would make a fabulous drink for the fourth.
LOL, I love that you made this recipe with “beer”! Not a fan of Miller Lite, but I’m sure I can find a substitute, maybe even a gluten free beer!!
Miller Lite isn’t what I usually get, it was kind of a nod to one of my very good friends. We just had these shandies at her house last weekend while playing Scrabble. The brand of beer isn’t that significant, the lemonade over powers the majority of the beer flavor anyway.