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Beer Cocktail Recipes, Hacks and Basics

In a snap, our easy add-ins will turn those brews into envy-inducing beer cocktails.

Beer Cocktail Recipes, Hacks and Basics

Spirit Mixer Beer Cocktail Recipes

Witbier Spritz

Witbier Spritz

This spritz variation replaces sparkling wine with Belgian witbier: top 1 oz Aperol with half a witbier over ice, add a splash of soda and stir gently; garnish with an orange wheel.

Try Hoegaarden with Aperol.

Hops & Bitters

Hops & Bitters

Mix ¾ oz Averna with half an IPA and a squeeze of lemon over ice. Top with sparkling water for a deliciously dry, bitter drink. For a sweeter cocktail, top with sparkling lemonade.

Try Nickel Brook Head Stock IPA with Averna Amaro.

Ginger Beer & Pimm’s

Ginger Beer & Pimm’s

Make a Pimm’s Cup cocktail zing with spicy ginger beer and ¾ oz Pimm’s, adding a dash of lemonade or lemon soda for balance. Garnish with frozen grapes and a sprig of mint.

Try Crabbie’s Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer with Pimm’s No. 1 Cup.

Beer Cocktails with Fresh Fruit Mixers

Kolsch & Watermelon

Kolsch & Watermelon

Scoop or cube watermelon away from its rind and freeze until firm. Pulse the frozen flesh in a blender, then pour a glug of the purée into an icy kolsch, stir gently and add ice.

Try Gaffel Kolsch.

Raspberry Beer Lemonade

Raspberry Beer Lemonade

Mix pink lemonade (or lemonade with grenadine syrup or pomegranate juice to taste) half-and-half with beer over ice. Garnish with fresh or frozen whole raspberries.

Try Stella Artois.

Cerveza Shrub

Cerveza Shrub

Macerate 1 cup (250 mL) chopped fresh strawberries with 1 cup (250 mL) sugar; chill at least overnight. Press and strain, then add up to 1 cup (250 mL) wine vinegar or cider vinegar to taste. Just 1 oz of the resulting shrub, plus equal parts sparkling water and beer, makes 1 drink.

Try Dos Equis Lager.

Spirit Mixer Beer Cocktail Recipes

Agave & IPA

Agave & IPA

Mix ¾ oz tequila with half an aromatic, citrusy IPA over ice; top with tart lemon soda. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Try Espolòn Tequila Blanco with Founders All Day IPA.

Sloe Ale

Sloe Ale

Mix ¾ oz sloe gin and half a blonde ale over ice; top with soda to taste for a berry-and-botanical-tinged cocktail. Garnish with a rosemary sprig or frozen berries.

Try Hayman’s Sloe Gin with Manitoulin Brewing Swing Bridge Blonde Ale.

Rum & Lager

Rum & Lager

Mix ¾ oz lemon rum with half a can of light beer over ice; add sparkling water or lemonade and gently stir. Garnish with a pineapple or lemon wedge.

Try Bacardí Limón with Coors Light.

Beer Cocktail Basics

Top It Off

Have a few types of citrus wedges, berries or fresh herbs on hand to garnish and enhance cocktails.

Pour It Long

Tart citrus sodas (try Fentimans, S. Pellegrino, LaCroix or 7UP Lemon Lemon) add a touch of sweetness to help balance drinks.

Dark with Dark

Stout, Porter, brown ale and hoppy IPA play off brown spirits and dark, richer-flavoured modifiers.

Beer Cocktail Hacks

Beerita

Blend equal parts frozen limeade concentrate and tequila; add 1 oz of this mixture to a salt-rimmed rocks glass of beer.

Shandler

Stir together equal parts beer, lemonade and ginger ale.

Beer-gria

Mix equal parts citrusy Radler and smooth red wine with stone fruit slices to make a quick pitcher.

Beery Mary

Combine equal parts tomato juice and beer in a spice-rimmed glass — hot sauce optional.

Bro-mosa

Introduce blood-orange soda or orange juice to an equal amount of beer for brunch.

Beer Julep

Stir honey lager and 1 oz mint syrup with crushed ice; garnish with fresh mint leaves.