Is there anything more refreshing on the long hot afternoons of a summer weekend than an ice-cold beer? Some might say a summery cocktail gives this classic beverage a run for its money. We say: why choose?

This International Beer Day, we’re inviting you to have the best of both worlds. We’ve looked to the expertise of the leading authority on cocktails, Simon Difford, for delicious and simple recipes for refreshing beer cocktails.

Difford knows a thing or two about great cocktails. As an expert in fine spirits and liqueurs, he is the founder of Difford’s Guide — the largest drinks database and photography library out there.

To help you spend your summer drinking in style, here are three recipes sure to please any and every beer drinker out there. Cheers!

Swedish Ale Punch

What you need:
2 shots Maker’s Mark bourbon
1 shot Swedish Punch liqueur
1 shot freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice
Top up withBritishcask conditioned ale

How to make it:
1.     Shake first three ingredients with ice and fine strain into a chilled Collins glass.
2.     Top with beer.
3.     Garnish with a grapefruit slice.

 

Weissen Sour

What you need:
2 shots Maker’s Mark bourbon
1 spoon orange marmalade
¾ shot freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 dashes orange bitters
Top up with Weisse (wheat) beer

How to make it:
1.     Stir marmalade with bourboninbase of shaker to dissolve it.
2.     Add lemon juice and bitters. Shake with ice and fine strain into an ice-filled Collins glass.
3.     Top with beer.
4.     Garnish with a lemon slice.

 

Michelada

What you need:
Coarse salt
1 lime wedge
3 dashes Tobasco or other hot red pepper sauce
2 spoons Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce
12 oz. light Mexican beer (such as Corona)

How to make it:
1.     Salt the rim of a chilled beer mug by rubbing it with a lime wedge and dipping the rim in coarse salt.
2.     Squeeze the lime into the mug. Add the Worcestershire sauce and Tobasco.
3.     Pour in the beer and serve.

 

BONUS: Mantini

What you need:
2½ shots London dry gin
½ shotBritishcask conditioned ale

How to make it:
1.     Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.
2.     Garnish with an olive wrapped in bacon.

 

 

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Get the book:

 Diffordsguide Cocktails: The Bartender’s Bible