Beer Cooler – Friday’s Featured Cocktail

Here is our pick for a memorable Memorial Day Party Cocktail.

Beer Cocktail’s are perfect for Summer’s Patriotic Holidays and this recipe is our twist on the English favorite a Beer Shandy.  Years ago, it was commonplace to find people sipping lemonade and shooting the breeze on their front porch or in the yard on a summer day.  While our version of a nice tall cold one is more than lemonade, we’re all about kicking back with friends and family and sharing some good times while cooling off with a cocktail.  We appreciate that it’s not a Summer Holiday  celebration without beer (patriotic holidays account for the highest sale of beer), but we wanted to incorporate the spirit of sharing a nice cold old-fashioned lemonade – so we married the two for the perfect picnic “cooler”.

You’ll have lots of cold beer on hand, so all you need to do is make the fresh citrus concentrate, add tequila and beer, garnish and serve.  This twist on an old-fashioned drink is a great way to cool off your guests and get them in the mood to kick back and shoot the breeze.

Be a considerate host and offer a non-alcoholic beverage, simply substitute seltzer for tequila and beer.

Patriotic Picnic Cooler (Makes 1 Cocktail)

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• ½ Tbsp. fresh lime juice
• 1 tsp. simple syrup
• 1 oz. tequila
• 5 oz. American brewed beer

Preparation:

• Make simple syrup by mixing equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan.  Heat on medium heat until sugar dissolves.  Cool, pour into container and refrigerate.  Juice lemons and limes, strain seeds and pulp.  Add ice, citrus juices, simple syrup and tequila to cocktail shaker.  Shake well and pour into cooler glass filled with ice.  Add beer and stir.  Serve with lemon wheel and straw.

Optional:  Prepare citrus concentrate ahead of party by combining citrus juices and simple syrup.  When ready to serve, pour over ice, add tequila, beer and straw; stir and serve.

image:  http://www.studentsineurope.com/2010/02/02/great-cocktails-europe-shandy/