Some people are beer purists. Each beer type MUST be enjoyed out of its designated glass. Comparing ale to a lager is utter lunacy. A Belgian and an English brewed beer are to be considered worlds apart. But a true beer trailblazer dares to do what the purist may deem unthinkable – craft his or her own beer cocktail. Thanks to these innovators, we have today a number of beer cocktails to make even the strictest of purists second guess his or her close-mindedness. Here, we share a few all-time favorite beer cocktail recipes.
The Dirty Flower
When fruit punch met wheat beer The Dirty Flower was born. The perfect blend of sweet, citrus flavors and wheaty undertones, The Dirty Flower is a great tailgate fix.
The essentials:
1 medium grapefruit
6 ounces gin, chilled
4 1/2 ounces St-Germain elderflower liqueur, chilled
3 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 3 medium lemons), chilled
3/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
3 dashes orange bitters
6 (12-ounce) bottles wheat beer, such as Paulaner, chilled
Instructions:
Using a vegetable peeler, remove 6 wide strips of peel from the grapefruit, making sure to avoid the white pith; set aside. Squeeze 3 ounces of juice from the grapefruit and place in a 3-quart container (save the remaining juice for another use).
Add the gin, St-Germain, lemon juice, sugar, and orange bitters to the container and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Add the beer and gently stir to combine.
To serve, twist one grapefruit peel over a beer glass or cup and drop inside. Top with the beer mixture and serve.
*If you’re bringing this to a party, make the recipe through step 2 and keep chilled. Add the cold beer when ready to serve.
Black Velvet
Yes, the Black Velvet beer cocktail is as smooth and rich as it sounds. Fans of Guiness are encouraged to sample this bubbly twist on the Irish classic. It’s just slightly sour, full-bodied from the beer, and a beauty to look at.
Essentials:
1 part Guiness chilled
1 part brut sparkling wine chilled
Instructions:
Pour the Guinness into a chilled pint glass and let the foam subside.
Place a spoon on the inside of the glass, horizontal to the beer, and pour the bubbly over the spoon so as to encourage the wine to float on top of the beer.
Drink, refill, repeat.
Bul
Plenty of fizz and just the right splash of lime, this beer cocktail will take you taste buds on a south of the border adventure. This is the perfect beverage to enjoy with a Cubano, a toasted Cuban sandwich.
Essentials:
4 limes
1 12 oz. can of light beer
1 12 oz. can of ginger ale
2 tablespoons of sugar
Ice
Instructions:
Juice enough limes to make 1/3 cup. You’ll need about 3 limes for this. (Hint: Nuking your limes for 5-10 seconds will help get the juices flowing. A citrus reamer will make quick work of the juicing.) Thinly slice the remaining lime for garnish.
Pour the lime juice into a pitcher, then add one 12 oz. can of your favorite light beer. Make sure the beer is cold!
Add one 12 oz can of chilled ginger ale.
Add one to two tablespoons of sugar, to taste, and stir it up until the sugar is dissolved. (Superfine or baker’s sugar makes this go faster.)
Serve it over ice and add a lime slice garnish.
Lemon Shandies
Blend lemonade with beer for a light, mellow-yellow refresher.
Essentials:
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4 lemons), plus wedges, for serving (optional)
8 mild pilsner beers (12 ounces each)
Instructions:
Place eight 16-ounce glasses or mugs in the freezer.
In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 3/4 cup water over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Refrigerate until cool, at least 10 minutes and up to 1 week.
In a 2-cup liquid measure or small pitcher, combine sugar mixture and lemon juice. Pour 1 beer into each chilled glass; add about 1/4 cup lemon mixture and, if desired, a lemon wedge. Serve immediately.
Coupe de Ville
Beer’s twist on a Tequila Sunrise. ¡Vámonos!
Essentials:
6 oz añejo tequila
6 oz lime juice
6 oz orange juice
3 oz orange liqueur
6 12 oz bottle light mexican beer
Instructions:
Place all of the ingredients except the beer in a 4-quart container and stir to combine. Add the beer, stir gently to combine, and serve in chilled glasses.
*If you’re bringing this to a tailgate or barbecue, combine all the ingredients except the beer beforehand and keep chilled. Add the cold beer when ready to serve.
*Recipes and further info available at www.buzzfeed.com/erinchack/drinks-that-prove-mixing-beer-cocktails-is-a-….