Starbucks 'Trenta': How The New Size Compares To Your Stomach
Famous Death Row Last Meals
Up until a Memorial Day picnic a year ago, I had never encountered the concept of a beer cocktail. It had never even occurred to me that one would want to mix beer with something else. That was, until I walked up to a friend at the picnic and she said, "Hey, do you want a Lemonade Shandy?" I said sure, because I almost always say sure when someone offers me a drink, and walked with her to the makeshift bar (three coolers lined up under a tree). She popped a bottle of Yuengling Lager (the drinkable, inexpensive beer of choice in Philadelphia) and poured half it's contents into one of those big red plastic cups you always find at picnics and parties. She filled it the rest of the way up with sparkling lemonade, giving it a rough swirl in an attempt to combine and handed it over. There must have been a look of horror in my eyes as I took it, because she offered an encouraging, "Just taste it, it's really good, I swear." I took a sip and discovered that she was right. It was fantastic, as the lemonade took the middling lager to another level of goodness.
This week the food section of the Oregonian ran a feature on beer cocktails and the foods that go nicely with them. They've got a really comprehensive list of summer beer cocktail suggestions. I do believe that Hibiscus blossom is calling my name.
Photo courtesy Anush Wij
LOOK: Amazing Underwater Photos Of Dogs
Broke Stars: 11 Celebrities Who Went Bankrupt
Jane Seymour's Modest And Modern Style
Adele Five-Year Break? Singer Plans to Focus on Relationship, Write 'Happy Record'
Social Security Is Failing Even Faster Than We Thought
Janice Dickinson's Outrageous Style
Man Says Starbucks Discriminated Against Him Because He Has Half An Arm
Chris Brown, Grammys 2012: Embattled Singer Slams Critics
PHOTOS: How You Can Get The 'Miracle' Dress
Ford's clever Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ad features phantom model
3 Economic Misconceptions That Need to Die
Photos Of Dead Lacrosse Player's Injured Body Shown To Jury
Trace Adkins Reunites With College Crush, 30 Years Later
Van Gogh's Starry Night modded into beautiful interactive light and sound show (video)
PHOTOS: Model Falls At Dennis Basso Show
'Hooker Teacher' Forced To Resign, Now Can't Find Work
Lauren Scruggs Goes On Ski Vacation
WATCH AND LAUGH: Cops In 2-Hour Standoff With Empty Car
New Clues, Details Emerge In Powell Case
Woman's Dead Fiance Is Behind Her Disappearance: Cops
Stephen Wiltshire Draws Cities From Memory
PHOTOS: Remembering The People's Ballerina
20 Of Elizabeth Olsen's Versatile Looks
We Meant There WERE Nukes In The Fire
LOOK: The Last Of The Cave People
Style Icon Dies After Collapsing At Fashion Show
Best In Show Winner Declared
WATCH: Saint VaLINtine Hits Game-Winning Shot
Most Eligible Post 50 Celebs
PHOTOS: Kate Spends Valentine's Day Solo!
10 Celebs Who Refuse To 'Fix' Their Teeth
Prosecutors Appeal Overturned Murder Convictions
8-02-2007 @2:53PM ozzy said... In Bavaria, a Shandy is called a Radler, and they are drunk by the liter all summer long in Biergartens. There's nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than sitting under a chestnut tree drinking a Radler.
Reply
8-02-2007 @5:01PM BaS said... A similar thing is something our neighbors did before we moved. Open a bottle of Corona, fill the area that's empty at the top with Bacardi Limon. Cover the top with a finger and flip upside down to mix, right it up and enjoy.
Reply
8-02-2007 @3:19PM anonimus said... In college, my fraternity had a version of this drink which consisted of cheap beer, lemonade from concentrate (obviously not a 1 to 1 ratio), and cheap vodka. It was a campus favorite.
Never thought about trying the same thing with better ingredients, but now I'm inspired.
Reply
8-02-2007 @4:22PM jsmylie said... Concoctions like this are what first made me tolerate beer. I've still got a soft spot for 'em (because my general dislike of beer is well known: http://chewonthatblog.com/?p=132).
Reply
8-02-2007 @4:52PM Ahd Child said... If you're interested in the hibiscus, what you want to look for is called sorrel. (Not the same as the american herb) It's sold in packs of the dried, deep red, flowers. You should be able to find it in carribean markets. I dunno if African or Latino markets carry it and what they'd call it if they do.
To make the drink that you are going to mix with the beer, you pour boiling water over the flowers. Cover that and let it sit for around 2 days. Strain, sweeten and chill. For added complexity, you can add cloves and/or cinammon sticks to the soaking mixture - just be sure to go light - you don't want to overpower the taste of the sorrel. I never measure, but guessing at a ballpark figure, I'd say try about 4 quarts of water for each standard sized (I dunno the weight off the top of my head) pack of sorrel. Remember - you can always add more water if it's too strong for you, so be conservative.
- the unsweetened mixture should taste pretty sour
- If you can, once it cools a little, soak the sorrel in a big plastic container. Because of the acidity, it may not be best to leave it in your metal pots for a long.
- Sweeten it to taste. Add some sugar and try it. I like mine pretty strong and sour, but most people make it sweeter.
Reply
8-02-2007 @4:53PM Ahd Child said... One more thing. If you're not going to mix it with beer, you can add a little rum or brandy to spike it.
Reply
8-02-2007 @4:59PM wynk said... Radler is one of the most beautiful concoctions ever created. Especially when made properly with good German beer.
Reply
8-02-2007 @6:09PM Farseer said... I think the first shandy I had was a Guiness shandy. It was made like a half and half, where the lemonade floated on top of the Guiness. I have to say that a lager works better in a shandy, but if the day is hot, and you have a stout...
Reply
8-02-2007 @10:23PM Elizabeth C said... Another delish, albeit slightly heretical for margarita purists, beer cocktail is the Diablo Margarita. It is comprised of one half margarita (usually blended) and one half farily light beer (usually Mexican, like Corona, though I have subbed misc. pilsners for this and it came out lovely!).
Reply
8-03-2007 @10:49AM Scott said... Dunno if this counts, but one of my favorite things to do is called a Black Velvet (Guiness+Hard Cider). I went to a beer place in Texas and they had part of their menu devoted to various "beer cocktails".
And in college I had the genius idea of mixing cheap beer and the remnants of the melting chocolate ice cream I was eating. Thus the beer shake was born.
Reply
8-04-2007 @12:48AM darkroux6 said... rolling rock + vodka = good times
Reply
8-04-2007 @8:15PM MaryBee said... May I just say, in addition to enjoying the recipe possibilities, I am thoroughly pleased with the level of intelligence of this group. I occasionally click into discussion threads regarding celebrities or consumer affairs, and the lack of grammar and general literacy is appalling.
We may be a lot of lushes, but we paid attention in High School English!
Being able to proofread is what separates man and beast!
Reply