I recently watched Jamie Oliver resurrect a very old beer cocktail on one of his crusades (UK foods we shouldn’t let die out) and it got me to wondering about other beer cocktails. I guess I’m like most of you in thinking that cocktails are generally spirit-based. I knew of one classic beer cocktail – Black Velvet, a mix of champagne and Guinness - but now I know a few more. Fancy a tipple? How about one of these beer cocktails?
The creator of this cocktail is Anthony Burgess, the novelist and playwright known for his several great works, including the novel “A Clockwork Orange”.
Ingredients:
• 4oz. of champagne
• Guinness
• Gin, brandy, rum, whisky, and port
• A pint glass
Method:
Mix a double shot of rum, and single shots of whiskey, gin, port, and brandy and pour it into a pint glass. To this mixture add the champagne then top it off with a layer of Guinness. Due to the high alcohol content, the cocktail may not be the best choice for the faint-hearted. The upside is that it tastes smooth and rarely leaves a hangover; therefore, it's in the list as one of the very best beer cocktails.
It’s actually a whisky sour with a mix of beer, introduced originally by Kevin Diedrich straight from Jasper’s Corner Tap and Kitchen. For one serving:
Ingredients:
• Bourbon (2oz.)
• Orange bitters (2 dashes)
• White ale (2oz.)
• Fresh lemon juice (3/4oz.)
• Syrup (1/4 oz.)
Method:
Mix all ingredients together and shake with ice until it all gets smooth. Pour it all in a highball glass and embellish with a lemon twist.
This one is a perfect choice for those who love something similar to traditional cocktails. Beer Margarita tastes smooth, and interestingly, it’s nothing like beer. Here’s how you can make it for yourself.
Ingredients:
• 6oz. of tequila
• 6oz. of Frozen limeade (undiluted) (otherwise get squeezing lots of limes!)
• 6oz. of lager
• Ice and a slice of lime
Method:
Put the tequila, limeade and lager in a blender with some ice. Blend until the mixture looks smooth. Pour into a pint glass that has been rimmed with salt and garnish with a wedge of lime à la Margarita.
If the Belgians can make fruit beers of every flavor, it makes sense that you can liven up your warm weather barbecues with some fruity beer cocktails – like this one. Here’s how to make a good-sized punch bowl full.
Ingredients:
• ¾ cup frozen raspberries
• ½ cup vodka
• 3 and ½ bottles of chilled pilsner type lager
• 1 bottle frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate
• Lemon and lime slices to garnish
Method:
The method is as easy as pie. Put all the ingredients in a large punch bowl and stir until well combined. Add the citrus slices. It tastes even better if you put 2 or 3 frozen whole raspberries in a glass before you put the cocktail in.
This takes me back to my student days. I had never previously considered it a cocktail but as it contains 3 ingredients it qualifies. I also never knew it was called a Diesel. In the UK we just ask for a Snakebite and black.
Ingredients:
• ½ pint lager
• ½ pint fizzy cider
• Dash of blackcurrant cordial
Method:
Put the lager and cider in a pint glass and then add the blackcurrant cordial to taste.
If you want your beer cocktails to feature lots of different ingredients, this is the one for you. This makes 8 servings.
Ingredients:
• 4 cups of chilled German beer – a light heferweizen (wheat beer) style is best
• 1 and ¼ cups of Applejack
• 6 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 and ¼ cups of freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¾ cup of maple syrup
• ¾ cup club soda (chilled)
• 1 cup of ice
• Wedges of lemon to garnish
Method:
In a large pitcher, combine the applejack, vinegar, maple syrup and lemon juice, mixing well. Add the ice, cover and put the pitcher in the fridge for 2 hours. Remove from fridge and stir in the beer and club soda – be careful to not stir too vigorously. Serve over ice in highball glasses garnished with lemon wedges.
If you’ve seen the Tom Cruise movie, Cocktail, you might recognize this as one of the featured drinks.
Ingredients:
• 1.5 oz of vodka (one shot)
• 12oz of lager
• 6oz tomato juice
• 1 raw egg, beaten
• 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Optional - Dash of hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce
Method:
Put all ingredients into a large glass and stir. Add ice if desired, and as it is inspired by Bloody Mary, pop in a celery stick too.
Are any of these beer cocktails up your alley? Do you enjoy a cocktail? What’s your favorite?