How can I use up these shandies?

October 3, 2018 5:34 PM

I've got most of a summer shandy sampler box left over from the summer and I'd rather not drink them as-is. Could I use them as a basis in some sort of cocktail? If so, what can I make?

I've Googled variations of "shandy mixer" and "shandy cocktail" and so far only found a lot of suggestions on how to make my own various flavors of shandies but not a lot of inspiration for what else I can make with a premade one, if anything. I'm not very creative when it comes to making cocktails, so I'd love some specific suggestions.

I have gin, rum, and tequila already on hand (and tonic) and am wiling to go buy anything else that will lead to mixed drink deliciousness and use these up at the same time. The four shandy sampler flavors are lemon, orange, watermelon, and grapefruit.

Thanks!

posted by anderjen to Food & Drink (11 answers total)

Best answer: Honestly I do like a good shandy, but most of the sample packs I’ve had are too sweet, and they are only improved by a dash or a dram of bourbon per serving.

The lemon flavor especially works well with both the beer and bourbon darker flavors.
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:31 PM on October 3, 2018

Best answer: I mix them with ice cold lemonade (regular, raspberry, whatever) and it is criminally underrated.
posted by nightrecordings at 6:42 PM on October 3, 2018

Best answer: You could try making a Tom Collins with the shandy as the base. Add more lemon juice/ simple syrup to taste!
posted by Champagne Supernova at 7:06 PM on October 3, 2018

Best answer: Oh, a Paloma with a grapefruit shandy base seems like it’d work well.
posted by Champagne Supernova at 7:09 PM on October 3, 2018 [2 favorites]

Best answer: For the grapefruit flavor I would add lime and rum and brown sugar to taste and call it Grog, after the famous Admiral:

Vernon wore a coat of grogram cloth and was nicknamed Old Grogram or Old Grog.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:54 PM on October 3, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: seconding the Tom Collins! I used to go to a bar that made an IPA Collins and it was delicious -- a shandy will fit the bill even better.
posted by knownassociate at 7:55 PM on October 3, 2018

Micheladas?
posted by glibhamdreck at 8:27 PM on October 3, 2018

Best answer: For me the key would be to add some fresh citrus juice to cut the sweet.

Lemon Shandy + Gin + fresh muddled basil+lemon

Grapefruit Shandy + Tequila + Lime juice and a slice of jalapeno if you're into that.

Orange Shandy + Whiskey or Brandy and a twist of orange or tangerine.

Watermelon Shandy + Trashcan. Kidding! Maybe with gin or vodka and some lime juice, possibly some mint.
posted by fyrebelley at 9:17 PM on October 3, 2018

I'd try to make it more Shandy by adding ginger liquor. Something like Barrow's Intense.
posted by quince at 10:55 PM on October 3, 2018

Best answer: I usually add gin. Either as a boilermaker, or with about half the beer on ice in a rocks glass.
posted by fiercecupcake at 11:34 AM on October 4, 2018

Response by poster: Thank you all, these are fantastic ideas! I usually do like sweet drinks, but something about these shandies was making me crave a lot more variety, as I was getting really bored about a third of the way through the can. Thanks again.
posted by anderjen at 7:58 AM on October 8, 2018