Beer Cocktail Recipes: Classic-to-Contemporary Blends for Every Occasion!
Whether you are chilling at home, hosting a party, or preparing dinner for a date. A refreshing beer cocktail will change the mood, of course, in a good way.
If you thought it would be impossible to recreate your favorite beer cocktails, think again.
We will help you hone your inner barista skills and recreate these fun cocktail recipes!
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Beer Cocktails Recipe Ideas
Beer cocktails are easy to make. You can even start mixing all the ingredients in just three minutes!
We’ve compiled the 8 latest recipes for the best beer cocktails you need to try.
1. Michelada
Michelada is a spicy beer cocktail made with Mexican beer, fresh lime juice, and Worcestershire sauce.
This recipe taste is like a mix between Bloody Mary and a margarita.
Many Michelada recipes add some tomato juice, while others skip the tomato juice and would rather go for citrus, spices, and hot sauce.
This recipe drops the tomato for lime juice and hot sauce. You can never go wrong with Mexican lager.
If you fancy some spice that goes well with a Mexican-themed brunch, you better go for this Mexican beer recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 lime wedge
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 dashes of Tabasco sauce
- 1 pinch of ground black pepper
- 1 pinch of celery salt
- 1 bottle of Mexican lager beer
Instructions
- Add equal parts salt and cayenne pepper.
- Rub the lime wedge in the half rim of the glass
- Dip the rim into the cayenne mix.
- Pour the lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tobasco, black pepper, and celery salt into the glass.
- Pour the Mexican beer.
2. Beer Margaritas
Beer margarita recipes are super easy to make!
The key is not using micro brews to prevent overpowering beer taste. (sorry!)
You can use the limeade or modify the recipe with extra water if it is too sweet.
Ingredients
- 1 can frozen limeade concentrate
- 12 ounces tequila
- 12 ounces water
- 12 ounces beer
- limes and cut into wedges
Instructions
- Pour all the ingredients into the pitcher.
- Stir the mixture until the limeade melts.
- Add the limes for garnish.
3. Black Velvet
If you want to get back to black, then the flavor of black velvet will surely suit your taste!
It is a combination of champagne and dark beer in one refreshing drink.
Yes, quite an unlikely combination, but it’s good! Prepare a wine flute for this light cocktail drink and complete this recipe in only 3 minutes!
Ingredients
- 4 ounces of champagne
- 4 ounces of chilled stout
Instructions
- Pour the champagne halfway into the wine flute.
- Gradually pour the stout to fill the glass.
4. Classic Shandy
You can customize the classic shandy with your favorite beer.
You can count on this refreshing drink to quench your thirst on any occasion, particularly summer days.
Ingredients
- 2 lemon slices
- 200 ml bitter beer
- 200 ml lemonade
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients into the glass.
- Mix well and garnish the glass’s rim with lemons.
5. Summer Shandy
Go for the summer shandy if you want something to accompany your brunch on a good summer day.
You can use the usual ratio of 50% beer and 50% sparkling lemonade, but you can always customize the recipe.
You can use any American lager, but wheat beer should be perfect.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce of lemon juice
- 1-ounce simple syrup
- 4 ounces of soda water
- 6 ounces of craft wheat beer
Instructions
- Mix and stir the simple syrup and juice in a beer glass
- Add the soda water and beer, then stir well.
6. Radler Paloma
Radler Paloma is a tasty Mexican beer classic with an added flavor from fresh grapefruit juice and lime juice.
Expect a tall and refreshing drink with a bit of booze.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 3/4 ounce grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce lime juice, 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Stiegl Radler beer
- grapefruit twist for garnish
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients except the beer, which will go into the shaker until it is well-chilled.
- Strain it into the Collins glass.
- Top it with beer.
- Spear the grapefruit twist for garnish.
7. Kentucky Mule
Kentucky mule is a fun way to drink ginger beer cocktails. It’s bubbly with a splash of spicy whiskey.
One of the easiest recipes you can find. You don’t need to shake it. Just mix them all into the glass.
Super easy to prepare that suit for any occasion.
Ingredients
- Bourbon whiskey
- Lime
- Ginger beer
- Soda (optional)
Instructions
- Pour all the ingredients into a copper mug.
- Add some garnish with limes.
8. Ginger Shandy
Can’t get enough of the shandy drinks? Here’s another refreshing shandy infused with ginger and pale ale.
Your choice of ginger drink will influence the final product. You can use a ginger beer if you prefer the less carbonated or the ginger ale, which is sweeter.
Nonetheless, you can mess with your ginger drinks and try some mix of soda until you hit the spot.
If you want another shandy drink, you can check out the orange shandy recipe. It is a mixture of orange rum liqueur, orange juice, and blue moon beer that goes well after every meal.
Ingredients
- 100ml spiced rum
- 2 limes (1 juiced and 1 cut into quarters)
- 2 x 330ml bottles of pale ale
- 600ml (1pt) ginger ale
Instructions
- Pour the rum into 4 hi-ball glasses.
- Add some dash of lime juice and mix.
- Fill two-thirds of the glass with beer.
- Top with ginger ale and stir.
9. Black and Tan
The Black and Tan is a classic beer cocktail that combines the rich flavors of a stout with the crispness of a pale ale. It’s a visual treat as well, with the two beers forming distinct layers in the glass.
This drink is perfect for those who can’t decide between a light or dark beer and offers the best of both worlds. See also Guiness Blends.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pint of pale ale
- 1/2 pint of stout
Instructions:
- Start by pouring the pale ale into a pint glass until it’s about half full.
- Using a spoon held upside down over the glass, slowly pour the stout over the back of the spoon. This will help the stout to flow gently over the pale ale, creating the layered effect.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the contrasting flavors of this iconic beer cocktail.
10. Beermosa
The Beermosa is a delightful twist on the classic mimosa. Instead of sparkling wine, this refreshing cocktail uses beer, typically a light and crisp one like a wheat beer or a pale ale, combined with citrusy orange juice.
It’s the perfect brunch beverage for those who love both beer and mimosas. The Beermosa is easy to make and offers a unique flavor profile that’s both tangy and malty.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pint of light beer (wheat beer or pale ale recommended)
- 1/2 pint of fresh orange juice
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions:
- In a chilled glass, pour the fresh orange juice until it’s about half full.
- Slowly top up the glass with your choice of light beer.
- Gently stir to combine the two ingredients.
- Garnish with a slice of orange on the rim of the glass.
- Serve immediately and enjoy this zesty and bubbly treat.
11. Lagerita
The Lagerita is a brilliant fusion of a classic margarita and a crisp lager. This cocktail is perfect for those who love the tangy zest of a margarita but also appreciate the refreshing taste of a cold beer.
It’s a match made in heaven, offering a bubbly, citrusy delight that’s perfect for hot summer days or any festive occasion.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz tequila
- 1/2 oz triple sec (or Cointreau)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 pint of lager (a light, crisp variety works best)
- Lime wedge or slice for garnish
- Salt for rimming (optional)
Instructions:
- If you prefer a salted rim, moisten the rim of the glass with a lime wedge and dip it into a plate of salt.
- In a shaker filled with ice, combine the tequila, triple sec, and fresh lime juice. Shake well until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared glass.
- Slowly top up the glass with the lager, ensuring a gentle pour to maintain the effervescence.
- Garnish with a lime wedge or slice.
- Serve immediately and savor the harmonious blend of tequila and beer in this delightful cocktail.
If you liked these, be sure to check out our Ginger Beer Cocktail Recipes also!
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve added some information that might be helpful when you start doing these refreshing mixed drinks!
What Are Beer Cocktails?
Beer cocktail is a style of beer combined with other ingredients to produce a refreshing and balanced drink.
Traditionally, it is made of hard liquor as a base, but it does not need to feature anything except beer.
Usually, in beer cocktail recipes, wheat beer is a great option.
It has that tasty and bright savor and complements other flavors, especially with lemon and lime-forward drinks.
When making beer cocktails at home, go for simple recipes. As beers are already brewed, so much stuff is going on.
Build around the relish of your beers, and you’ll have a solid beer cocktail in no time!
What Rules Should You Remember When Making Cocktails?
Before you recreate your picked beer cocktail recipe, here are some rules that you must remember:
Alcohol is the most important ingredient.
Your cocktail drink should contain 50ml of the base spirit, with other bits and bobs.
It’s easier to make mixed drinks that are sweeter, more sour, or diluted, but it’s tougher to make unsweet, unsour, or undilute drinks.
Ice is the second most important ingredient.
Yes, what is an ice-cold beer without ice?
They are super useful when chilling any liquor bottle, even giving a bit of dilution. With an insufficient amount, it will quickly melt, resulting in more dilution.
Keep it cool and simple.
You don’t need an over-the-top tray of liqueurs or an orchard of fruits. The important thing is you use ingredients that you understand.
Make sure that the drink is balanced.
Your goal is to create a refreshing flavor harmony that is not too sour or bitter.
Just the right blend.
Go for a tasty drink from the first sip until the last. So, keep tasting all phases of your preparation.
Only shake mixed cocktails with juice.
There are two kinds of cocktail drinks. The aromatic cocktail consists of only alcoholic components.
And the sour cocktails consist of citrusy fruit or sometimes other fruits, cream, egg, coffee, chocolate, etc.
Aromatic cocktails must be mixed with ice which can lead to dilution and smooth texture.
While the sour cocktails need more shaking, resulting in more dilution and a slightly modified texture.
Final Words
Choose your next cocktail, and serve it in the summer or when everyone’s gathering for dinner and craving refreshing mixed drinks.
The good thing about beer cocktails is they’re fun and easy to make.
You will only need a few ingredients and good mixing, and you are good to go!
If you are brave enough, try incorporating some sugar, chocolate, and nutmeg into your beer cocktail.
You can also experiment and make your own recipe, but make sure you know what you’re doing.