Summer Shandy

Have you been outside recently? It's gorgeous. Fall is very clearly in the air and I'm so excited! I figured I needed to throw some of my last summer recipes up on the blog, before September sneaks away and summer is officially completely over. Most people who know me, know I'm not the biggest fan of summer, so I'm not exactly sad to say good-bye to hot days and humid weather. Nights like tonight, with the windows open and the bugs quietly humming, while the occasional cool breeze blows in, are absolute perfection.

While we say goodbye to summer, it doesn't mean all good things have to come to an end. This drink recipe is technically called a "summer" recipe, but really, it would do in any season. I stumbled across this when looking for a beverage recipe for my best friend's bridal shower back in August, which was themed around her honeymoon in St. Lucia. (She is actually currently on that honeymoon, having gotten married this past weekend...Amanda, I hope you're enjoying all the shandy's that you can!!) I fell in love with the simplicity and sweet/tartness of this drink. After testing a couple different recipes and even using a "summer shandy" beer, I have determined that this one is the most appealing to me. The mix of a good hefeweizen and some slightly sweet lemonade, is my recommendation for this one. So mix it up, relax and enjoy!


Drinking Notes: This calls for superfine sugar and sparkling water...skip the fluffy ingredients and just use regular purified water and the finest sugar you can. No worries!

Summer Shandy (adapted from Spoon Fork Bacon; serves 4)
1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups purified water
4 bottles of chilled Hefeweizen

Place lemon juice and sugar into a pitcher and stir. Add water and continue to stir until sugar dissolves. Pour beer into chilled pint glasses and top each with a generous splash of lemonade. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe: Spoon Fork Bacon: Summer Shandy