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If you\u2019re unfamiliar with beer cocktails, it\u2019s time you\u2019re brought up to speed. These concoctions combine beer with other kinds of liquor to create something that\u2019s more interesting but still refreshing. The case for loving beer cocktails is simple: They taste good, are easy to make, and\u2014because they don\u2019t require a recipe\u2014can make you seem like the coolest, most laid-back version of yourself.<\/p>\n
If beer combined with liquor doesn’t immediately sound appetizing to you, that\u2019s ok. In fact, it can even be a good thing: If you\u2019ve ever been, met, or heard of a cool person before, you\u2019ll know that having obscure tastes and preferences is part of the gig. But, unlike my weeklong foray into \u201cforeign film\u201d fandom, beer cocktails are more than an exercise in liking something different\u2014they\u2019re worthwhile and actually good.<\/p>\n
When done right, a beer cocktail transforms a forgettable beer into something a bit more exciting. In a drinking setting, specifically one with a lot of cheap beer, it\u2019s also resourceful. Similar to looking into a poorly stocked fridge in a bare-bones kitchen and somehow making a perfect risotto, turning a light lager into a delicious cocktail is always impressive and entirely worth learning how to do.<\/p>\n
However, unlike a perfect risotto, the best beer cocktails don\u2019t require technical ability. If you can pour something into a glass, you\u2019re adequately trained. It\u2019s in this ease and convenience that the coolness of the beer cocktail lies: You\u2019re doing something resourceful but genuinely not trying too hard, like tapping a keg without a YouTube tutorial. With that in mind, here is everything you need to know to make beer cocktails without a recipe.<\/p>\n
Whatever you want. Since you\u2019re going to be adding other ingredients to your beer, cheap stuff probably makes the most sense. But don\u2019t feel wrong about pouring another liquor into the can of a meticulously crafted, higher-priced pilsner. According to Caitlin Wilson, a nine-year employee of the award-winning, Atlanta-based brewery Creature Comforts<\/a>, \u201cas long as you\u2019re buying it, that\u2019s fine. [We] don\u2019t care what you guys do.\u201d<\/p>\n Nascar spritz, aper-ale spritz, spaghett\u2014this combo of light beer, either Aperol or Campari, and some citrus always hits. It\u2019s bitter, refreshing, and low enough in ABV that you can\u2014responsibly\u2014enjoy them all afternoon. To make, add a shot (typically 1 \u00bd ounces, but just eyeball it) of Aperol or Campari to your beer, squeeze in orange or lemon (lime or grapefruit works too), swirl it around, and enjoy<\/strong>. When it\u2019s hot or your beer\u2019s too warm, serve over ice. If you need a visual tutorial, watch this<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pouring a dark, herbaceous digestif into an easy-drinking beer creates a weird\u2014and not necessarily appealing\u2014visual. But, it\u2019s absolutely delicious and<\/em> if you make it straight in the can, you\u2019ll never need to confront its odd hue. To make this simplified version of a Picon Bierre<\/a>, follow this simple formula: Take a gulp of whatever, cold, cheap, light beer you enjoy, then pour in an ounce or two of your preferred Amaro<\/strong>. Of all the drinks on the list, this is the one I turn to the most. It\u2019s subtle, refreshing, and tastes like a better, more grown-up version of Coca-Cola.<\/p>\n Re: pouring stuff into well-crafted beer. If you don\u2019t like sours, try mixing one with a bit of rum and citrus and your opinion might change. If you\u2019re working with a lighter sour, Breezy Flood, the bar manager of The Pearl Club<\/a> in Chicago, suggests \u201cadding an ounce of some sort of fruit juice.\u201d<\/p>\n Experiment. Try stuff that doesn\u2019t make sense\u2014just don\u2019t impose your concoction upon your friends until it\u2019s good and you can make it without a recipe.<\/p>\n Light Beer + Aperol or Campari + Citrus<\/h3>\n
Light Beer + Amaro<\/h3>\n
Sour Beer + Rum + Citrus<\/h3>\n
Whatever You\u2019ve Got<\/h3>\n
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\nWhat is your favorite type of beer cocktail? Let us know in the comments below!<\/em>
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