How to Make a Shandy at Home: Recipe and Tips

A shandy is one of those drinks that barely needs a recipe. Beer, lemonade, ice and a few minutes are pretty much all it takes. The result is cold, fizzy and refreshing, with the bitterness of the beer softened by the sweetness and citrus of lemonade.

It is also easy to customise. Use a crisp lager for a classic shandy, try a pale ale for something with more hop character, or adjust the beer-to-lemonade ratio until you find your preferred mix.

What Is a Shandy?

A shandy is a simple mixed drink made by combining beer with a carbonated soft drink, most commonly lemonade. The exact ratio varies, but a 50:50 mix of beer and lemonade is a good place to start.

A clean, refreshing beer works particularly well because it lets the citrus and sweetness of the lemonade come through without making the drink too heavy.

If you want to experiment with the beer itself, Beer Cartel has a broad selection of Australian and international lagers to choose from.

Shandy Recipe

Ingredients

• 150ml chilled beer

• 150ml chilled lemonade

• Ice

• Lemon wedge, to serve

This makes one generous glass.

Method

1. Chill everything first.
Keep both the beer and lemonade in the fridge before you start.

2. Fill your glass with ice.
Use a large glass or beer glass and add a few ice cubes. You can skip the ice if everything is already very cold.

3. Add the beer.
Pour slowly to avoid creating too much foam.

4. Top with lemonade.
Pour it gently down the side of the glass. Start with equal parts beer and lemonade, then adjust to taste.

5. Give it a gentle stir.
One quick stir is enough. You don't want to knock all the carbonation out.

6. Finish with lemon.
Add a lemon wedge and serve straight away.

What Beer Is Best for a Shandy?

A light lager is the easiest choice for a classic shandy. Lagers tend to have a clean, crisp character and relatively low bitterness, making them easy to pair with lemonade. Beer Cartel's lager range includes plenty of options to try.

For something with more flavour, try a pale ale. The extra hop character gives the drink more depth, while the lemonade rounds everything out. Explore Beer Cartel's pale ale range for different styles.

A mixed pack can also be a good way to experiment, particularly if you're making shandies for a group and want to compare different beers.

How to Get the Ratio Right

There is no single correct shandy ratio. Start with one of these combinations and adjust it to your taste.

If you're using a particularly hoppy or bitter beer, adding a little more lemonade can make the finished drink smoother and easier to drink.

Tips for a Better Shandy

A few small details can make a noticeable difference:

Can You Make a Shandy With Other Beer Styles?

Absolutely. While lager and pale ale are easy places to start, there is plenty of room to experiment.

A wheat beer can work well if you like a softer, citrus-friendly drink. A Belgian-style beer can create something more aromatic, while a stronger pale ale will give you a more pronounced beer character.

I'd avoid very heavy stouts or intensely bitter IPAs for your first attempt. Their roasted or bitter flavours can overpower the lemonade.

If ginger is more your thing, Beer Cartel also stocks a selection of ginger beers, giving you another refreshing option to explore.

When to Serve a Shandy

Shandies are made for warm afternoons, backyard lunches, barbecues and casual catch-ups. They're particularly handy when you want something lighter and more refreshing than a straight beer.

The best part is how little effort goes into making one. Keep your beer and lemonade cold, grab a glass and adjust the ratio until you find the combination you like.

Ready to make one? Explore Beer Cartel's lager range, pale ales and ginger beers to find your next shandy base.