I used to live in England for a little while, and let me just say, it's pretty different from the US. For example cookies are called biscuits, dessert is called pudding and their bartenders mix beer with lemonade. Yes, beer with lemonade, and surprisingly, it's really good. If you ask most Americans what a shandy is they wouldn't be able to tell you, but it's essentially just a mix of lemonade and beer. I found it to be a great refresher on a sunny afternoon or after a round of badminton (which, in case you're wondering, I'm terrible at).

You can mix up your own, or go for a very low-alcohol version by Fentimans. I tasted this product the other day and it had a great flavor, definitely a good alternative for the designated driver.

To learn how to mix up your own shandy (you could just take beer and sparkling lemonade and pour them together, but this recipe is more fun), read more

Shandy
From Epicurious.com

1 cup sugar
3 cups water
four 3-inch strips lemon zest, removed with a vegetable peeler
1 cup fresh lemon juice
2 fresh mint sprigs
chilled beer, such as pale ale

In a small saucepan bring sugar and 1 cup water to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved, and stir in zest. Cool sugar syrup to room temperature.

Transfer syrup to a small pitcher and stir in remaining 2 cups water, lemon juice, and mint. Chill lemonade until cold. (Makes about 4 1/2 cups lemonade.)

Pour 1/4 cup lemonade, or to taste, into each of 4 chilled beer glasses and top off with beer.

Print recipe with images | without images