Refreshing Watermelon Beer Shandy – Best Easy Summer Drink
This Refreshing Watermelon Beer Shandy is a crisp, sweet, and easy summer drink made with fresh watermelon, lime, and light lager. Perfect for backyard barbecues and lazy afternoons, it comes together in under 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups fresh watermelon, cubed and seedless
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 12 ounces light lager beer, chilled
- 1 to 2 tablespoons simple syrup (optional)
- Ice cubes as needed
- Mint leaves for garnish (optional)
- Watermelon wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the watermelon: Cut watermelon into cubes, remove seeds if needed. Place 4 cups of cubes in a blender.
- Blend the watermelon: Blend on high until smooth, about 1 minute. Add a tablespoon of water if needed.
- Strain the juice: Pour blended watermelon through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl. Press pulp to extract juice. Discard pulp or save for smoothies.
- Chill the juice (optional): Refrigerate juice for 15 minutes if not already cold.
- Mix the shandy: In a pitcher or glass, combine watermelon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup (if using). Stir gently. Taste and adjust.
- Add the beer: Slowly pour chilled beer into the mixture. Stir gently to combine. Avoid over-stirring.
- Serve immediately: Fill glasses with ice, pour shandy over ice. Garnish with mint and watermelon wedge. Serve right away.
Notes
Do not blend the beer with the watermelon; blend fruit first, strain, then add beer at the end. Chill all ingredients for best results. Use a light hand with lime; start with 1 tablespoon and adjust. Straining is essential to avoid a pulpy texture. Watermelon juice can be made up to 24 hours ahead.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (about 12 ou
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 15
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Protein: 2
Keywords: watermelon beer shandy, summer drink, easy cocktail, watermelon cocktail, beer cocktail