The sun is finally here and coming down on us! Are you enjoying the newfound warmth? We know we are! But with this warmth, must follow some cool, refreshing beer cocktails to keep you cool and refreshed at home or as you’re relaxing in your summer cottage!

Classic Chelada Beer Cocktail Recipe

Turn your regular beer into this Mexican classic take on a refreshing summer drink. While the drink is mostly made with Mexican-style lagers like a Corona, feel free to use any light lager for this drink.

What you’ll need:

• 1 Lemon/lime, juiced 
• Fine sea salt 
• Mexican-style lager 
• Tajin/ Old Bay seasoning for the rim
• Ice 

What to do:

• Grab a plate and add a tablespoon of Tajin/Old Bay and sea salt to taste and mix to combine. This will be your rim seasoning. 
• Start off by using the lemon to wet the rims of your glass and dipping the glass rims into the spice mix to coat it. 
• Once you’ve seasoned the glass rims, set the glass down and fill it with the ice and add the lemon/lime juice. 
• Top with the lager and enjoy! 

Black Velvet Beer Cocktail Recipe

The Black Velvet was created as a funeral cocktail when Prince Albert died in 1861. Due to the fact this recipe doesn’t require any ice, you’ll have to ensure that both the beer and champagne are completely chilled. If Champagne sounds too fancy, remember that any sparkling wine will work so try a Prosecco or Cava instead! 

Looking for sparkling wines to enjoy? Head on over to winecollective.ca where we’ve partnered with them to save you 15% on sparkling wine! Just use the code BLACKVELVET15 at checkout and enjoy sparkling wine at their member price! 

What you’ll need:

• 4 oz chilled stout 
• 4 oz chilled Champagne 

What to do:

• Fill your Champagne flutes halfway with sparkling wine. 
• Top up with stout. If you want to have distinct layers, use a spoon right under the stout to disrupt the flow and gently pour.
• It really is that simple – enjoy! 

Some people prefer a 2:1 ratio of sparkling wine to stout, so be sure to experiment with varying amounts until you find what works best for you! 

Michelada Beer Cocktail Recipe

If you like to kick back with a tangy and refreshing Caesar then you’ll definitely want to try this! The Michelada is one of the Mexican beer cocktails inspired by the Canadian classic Caesar. Consisting of a lot of the same ingredients that a Caesar does, it is lighter since you’re replacing the liquor with a Mexican-style lager! This recipe serves 2.

What you’ll need:

• 12 oz light Mexican beer
• 12 oz Clamato juice
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce 
• Ice 

For the rim:

• 1 tsp chilli powder or Tajin seasoning
• Salt for rimming glasses
• Lime wedges for garnish 

What to do:

• Begin by combining the rim seasoning, and go ahead and rim 2 glasses before filling them with ice. 
• Now, divide the ingredients between the two glasses, finishing with the beer. 
• Stir (or don’t) to your liking, and enjoy!

Here Comes the Sun Beer Cocktail Recipe

Did you sing that title? Yeah, we did too… Well, the sun is definitely out and here, so it’s time to go grab some glasses and make this beer cocktail to enjoy on your patio or at your summer cottage as you soak in that Vitamin D! The rye whiskey lends spice and depth that plays well with the homemade ginger syrup and fresh lemon juice.

What you’ll need:

• 1 ½ oz rye whiskey 
• 1 oz wheat beer
• ½ oz lemon juice 
• ¾ oz ginger syrup

You may also need a shaker, or container to shake the contents in – we used a mason jar. 

What to do:

• Grab your shaker and fill it with ice.
• Pour the lemon juice, ginger syrup and whiskey into the shaker. Shake until well-chilled. 
• Strain and pour into a glass of your choice.
• Top with the beer. 
• Enjoy!

Espresso Stout Beer Cocktail Recipe

If you enjoy a stout at brunch, then this Espresso Stout will probably be your new favourite drink! One of the fewer beer cocktails that mix your favourite breakfast drink with your favourite stout. The coffee complements the dark roasted cocoa notes that the stout boasts.

What you’ll need:

• 1 oz espresso
• 1 oz Kahlua 
• 8 oz of a stout of your choice

What to do:

• In a glass of your choice, add the espresso and Kahlua and stir to combine. 
• Top with the stout and enjoy! 

Summer Shandy Recipe

Summer has that tropical feel that you just can’t shake! Embrace that feeling by throwing together this peachy cocktail. Try this recipe with a fruity beer like Gaha’s Snowbird IPA and enjoy the complementing tropical notes.

What you’ll need:

• 3 oz of a pale ale or light beer
• 6 oz of a peach nectarine sparkling juice 
• Strawberry for garnish

What to do:

• Slice a small slit into the strawberry so it sits atop a glass of your choice. 
• Add the peach nectarine juice and then top up with ale. 
• Stir gently before enjoying!

Spicy Pineapple Shandy 

Shake up your regular summer shandy with a kick of spice! This recipe incorporates a jalapeño simple syrup that you can make and store in your pantry for future spicy cocktails.

What you’ll need:

• 1 oz tequila 
• 6 oz pale ale beer 
• 2 oz pineapple juice 
• ½ oz lemon juice
• ½ oz jalapeño simple syrup OR Tabasco

What to do:

• Grab a glass and add the tequila, simple syrup and lemon juice. If you’re using the Tabasco, add a drop or two into the mix. Stir until well combined. 

• Add the pineapple juice, and top up with beer.
• Enjoy your sweet and spicy shandy!

Don’t know how to make a jalapeño simple syrup?

Grab the following: 

• A cup of water
• 2 cups of cane sugar
• 2 jalapeño peppers

Slice the peppers, toss into a saucepan with the sugar and water and bring to a boil. 

Boil the syrup until it is as hot as you’d like, and taste occasionally.

Once it is as hot as you’d like it, turn off the heat and immediately strain it into a different vessel to store. There you go! Use it for beer cocktails or any recipe you would like.

That’s it! 7 cool and refreshing beer cocktails to try out this summer to get way more out of your beer! Give them a try and let us know what you think by posting a photo or tagging us @canadacraftclub on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

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