Lemon Shandy
This refreshing but not too sweet Lemon Shandy recipe is made with homemade lemonade and wheat beer. Easy measurements yield exactly four shandies.
This lemon shandy recipe is fresh, sparkling and so refreshing!
If you love the IDEA of a lemon shandy more than you actually love the pre-mixed bottled versions, this recipe is for you.
Personally, I think the idea of an ice cold beer with some lemonade in it sounds so refreshing. But the big, well known brand of bottled summer shandy is just too sweet for me. About half a bottle, and I’m totally done with it.
This homemade lemon beer is the perfect balance of lemonade that isn’t too sweet, sparkling water for bubbles, and wheat beer.
Why you will love this lemon beer
- Lemony but not too sweet. You won’t get heartburn from a drink with too much sugar!
- Made with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
- Easy to prep in advance. Make the simple syrup ahead of time and you’re all set to stir up your shandies whenever you’re ready.
What is a shandy?
A shandy is beer-based cocktail where beer is combined with a non-alcoholic beverage like lemonade or citrus soda.
This beer with lemon concoction originated in Europe but has gained popularity in the United States thanks to how delightful it is!
Lemon shandy beer ingredients
- sugar – regular granulated sugar is what will add sweetness to the shandy.
- water – please note that you’ll need regular still (tap) water AND a bottle of sparkling water to make this lemonade shandy.
- lemon juice – freshly squeeze it from real lemons, none of that bottled stuff!
- wheat beer – you’ll need four 12 ounce bottles of wheat beer. More on this below.
What beer is best for lemonade shandy?
This really isn’t the time to experiment with dark beers like porters or stouts, or heavily hopped or complex-tasting beers.
Keep it light and simple. Think something that you would serve with buttermilk chicken tenders or grilled chicken wings, and you’re probably good.
My favorite is wheat beer (Weihenstephaner Hefe is one I prefer), but pilsners and saisons are also great choices for a lemon shandy.
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How to make a shandy
1. MAKE SIMPLE SYRUP. Heat sugar and water to boiling in a saucepot and cook until all sugar is dissolved. Transfer the syrup to the fridge to fully cool before making your shandies.
2. ASSEMBLE. Stir together the simple syrup, sparkling water and fresh lemon juice. Pour one bottle of beer into each pint glass, then divide the lemon mixture over the beers.
How to serve beer with lemon
If you can, chill your pint glasses in the freezer for a couple of minutes before serving your shandies so you have chilled glasses.
Serve the shandies garnished with lemon wedges, and mint sprigs for color if you want (but totally not necessary).
The best snacks to serve with beer and lemonade
Who doesn’t love an ice cold beer with some salty snacks? Even better when there’s a splash of lemonade involved.
My favorite snacks to serve with lemon beer are:
- Corned Beef Egg Rolls
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Charcuterie Cups
- Shrimp Deviled Eggs
- Spicy Potato Chips
Beer with lemonade storage
The simple syrup can be made and refrigerated up to 1 week before serving.
Because sparkling water loses its fizz quickly, don’t stir up the pitcher of sparkling lemonade until just before serving.
Home Chef Tips for Lemon Shandy
- Feel free to experiment with sweeteners. Instead of granulated sugar, try an equal amount of honey or agave nectar in the sugar syrup for a twist.
- Try a flavored sparkling water to add another layer of flavor to beer with lemonade. Stick with lemon flavor, or try it with lime or grapefruit sparkling water.
Recipe for lemon shandy FAQ
If Meyer lemons are in season, they are perfect for a lemon shandy beer! Their sweet and slightly floral flavor pairs nicely with wheat beer.
Shandies are best with a wheat beer, but a lager will work for beer and lemonade in a pinch!
Some recipes call for serving lemon beer over ice, but I don’t think it’s needed, as long as your beer, sparkling water and simple syrup are all well chilled before you stir them together.
Lemon Shandy
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 ⅓ cups chilled sparkling water
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
- 4 bottles chilled wheat beer (I used Weihenstephaner Hefe) 12 ounces each
Instructions
- In small saucepot, heat sugar and 1/3 cup water to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. When all sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and let cool. Transfer to jar and refrigerate until chilled.
- In small pitcher, stir together sparkling water, lemon juice and sugar syrup until well combined.
- Pours beer into chilled pint glasses and top each glass with sparkling lemonade. Serve immediately.
Notes
- My favorite is wheat beer (Weihenstephaner Hefe is one I prefer), but pilsners and saisons are also great choices for a lemon shandy.
I LOVE a good shandy in the summer. It’s so refreshing and light and perfect for beating the heat. These Pringles sound pretty tasty too. They are such a delicious snack….yum!
Yesssss, a fellow shandy lover! I think they are sort of polarizing, because I know some people who hate them. But in my opinion, beer + lemonade = what’s not to love?
I haven’t heard of a shandy until you told me about them. I need to try this next time I’m snacking on some Pringles!
Oh, you MUST try a shandy! I’ll see if I can find you one this weekend 🙂
so awesome! and so good with chips too! <3
Thanks so much for stopping by, Kelsey!
Can you make me one of these tonight after class? It looks delicious. I think the use of a wheat beer was a great idea. And the brand you used for this post – we’ll call it Shmoegaraden – seems like a perfect choice. I tested the pringles for you earlier and I think they do have a good limey salty quality to them that pairs well with a cold brew.
Oh wow, this looks so refreshing!! Meyer lemons are so good. And so are pringles!
Thanks for stopping by, Dorothy!
This looks perfect for a sunny day!!
Thanks so much, Gerry!