This recipe is a newer variation using grapefruit juice or soda. Even with just two ingredients, it’s a super quick and simple cocktail that doesn’t hold back on flavor. 

Grapefruit and Beer Recommendations

Grapefruit juice or soda instead of the lemon soda or lemonade will lend your shandy a sweet and sour flavor with just a touch of floral aroma. Whether you use fresh grapefruit juice, store-bought grapefruit juice, or sparkling grapefruit soda, all pair well with a light, lager-style beer.

If you are juicing fresh grapefruits, use a sweet variety, like an Oro Blanco, Rio Red, or any light pink variety. White grapefruit is more bitter, which clashes with the already bitter beer.  For this cocktail, I recommend a hefeweizen—it has a light citrus flavor with lots of bubbles. But if that’s not available near you, a pilsner is also a great option. I’d go with Carlsberg for its crisp, citrusy flavor.

Grapefruit Shandy Sounds a Lot Like…

Now, if a grapefruit shandy sounds a lot like the German radler or a French panaché, you are correct! The radler consists of half beer and half lemon or grapefruit soda. Similarly, a panaché has lemon soda. With the shandy, the proportions of beer to juice or soda are more flexible, plus you don’t have to use a carbonated soda, it can be a juice. 

How to Serve a Grapefruit Shandy 

A tall, roomy glass, like a standard pint glass will hold this drink nicely. A Collins glass, which holds 12 ounces, is also a great option.  Ice or no ice? Traditionally, a shandy is served without ice. Make sure everything is chilled well: glasses, beer, and grapefruit juice or soda. If you’d like to quickly chill the drink, fill the glass about halfway with ice and then slowly pour in your ingredients and give it a stir. But know that adding ice will water it down a bit, depending on how slowly you drink it.  A slice of grapefruit and a sprig of mint make for fragrant garnishes. 

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