Shandy is a drink made by mixing beer with juice or carbonated water, traditionally with lemonade. It has been enjoyed throughout Europe for centuries and is popular in many British colonies. The proportion of ingredients varies, and caution is advised as it can pack a punch. Shandy was developed as a refreshing drink for workers and travelers in hot weather who needed to cool off while remaining relatively sober.
A shandy is a drink that is made by mixing beer and juice or carbonated water. Classically, the drink is made with beer and lemonade and has been enjoyed throughout Europe for centuries. The lemonade used in a traditional shack, incidentally, is a spicier variety with less sugar than some people may be used to. The result should be a refreshing drink that allows people to cool off while remaining relatively sober.
Originally known as Shandygaff in England, the wares consisted of a beer mixed with lemonade and the idea quickly spread to many British colonies. Outside of England, some colonies have created their own versions with locally available ingredients, such as ginger ale in the Caribbean. Historically the barrack has been very popular in Germany and Austria, where it is sometimes better known as a radler. In these areas, radler is often available in markets in pre-mixed form.
The proportion of ingredients in shandy varies. Many people create a simple half-and-half blend, while others adjust to their own taste. Commercially, shandy often has a very low beer content, so it is exempt from regional laws restricting the sale of alcoholic beverages, and can be mixed with lemon, lime, soda water, or a variety of other ingredients. Even with a low alcohol content, the drink can pack a punch, especially in the heat, so caution is advised when consuming this beverage.
The choice of beer used in shandy also varies by region and taste. Many hopped beers taste great with lemon, and in fact some beers are served with a lemon or lime wedge for just that reason. These beers often lend themselves very well to a slum, while the ales tend not to blend as well with lemonade. When experimenting at home, it’s a good idea to have a small taste before mixing a large glass, in case the flavors don’t play well together.
Supposedly, the shack was developed so that people could have a refreshing drink after working or traveling in hot weather. In regions where the water was not safe to drink, beer was often the drink of choice for workers and travellers, but after a few glasses of beer, it could be difficult to continue working. The shandy strikes a happy medium, mixing the beer with a less volatile drink to provide cooling and temper the alcohol’s effects.
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