Shamdy:  Alcohol-Free Shandy

This is the alcohol-free version of the classic British shandy – the ‘Shamdy’ if you will.  Traditionally made with lemon soda or ginger beer, it’s an easy beer mocktail consisting of equal parts alcohol-free beer to mixer.

No complicated equipment is needed: only a beer glass (half pint or pint) and a bottle opener.  If you’re feeling posh, you could throw in a slice of orange or lemon too.

Any type of beer can be used, ranging from light lagers to ales or wheat beers.  The addition of ginger beer imparts a delightful spiciness to the drink, while lemon soda will brighten and sweeten it.  Both transform the beer into a deliciously light and refreshing thirst-quencher.

Serves 1
Preparation time: 1 min

Ingredients

  • 5 oz. (150 ml) alcohol-free beer
  • 5 oz. (150 ml) ginger beer or lemon soda
  • Slice of lemon or orange to garnish (optional)

Note:  This recipe makes half a pint of alcohol-free shandy.  Double the measurements for a pint serving.

Equipment

  • Jigger or measuring spoons
  • Half pint glass or highball glass

Instructions

  1. Pour the alcohol-free beer and mixer into the glass.
  2. Garnish with a slice of lemon or orange.

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Alcohol-Free Shandy FAQ

What type of alcohol-free beer should I use?
You can use any type or brand of alcohol-free beer.  Choose a style that you enjoy and then experiment with different mixers.  

Are there any alternative mixers I can use?
Yes, you can get creative with your mixers. While lemon soda and ginger beer are the classic options, you can try other non-alcoholic beverages such as ginger ale or flavored sodas.

Can I garnish my alcohol-free shandy?
Yes, you can garnish your shandy with a slice of citrus fruit.  I find that orange works particularly well with ginger beer, but a classic lemon will do the trick too.  The garnish is optional, and the shandy will still taste delicious without it.

Do I need any special equipment to make this recipe?
No, you don’t need any special equipment.  A jigger or set of measuring spoons will help you to measure the ingredients accurately – however, you can always eye-ball the quantities with the easy one-to-one ratio.

Can I make this recipe in advance?
No, it’s best to prepare the alcohol-free shandy just before serving it to prevent the drink from losing its carbonation.  It only takes a moment to mix.  

Is ginger beer alcoholic?
Traditional ginger beer is non-alcoholic.  However, there are some variations of ginger beer available on the market that are produced as alcoholic versions.  When you purchase your ginger beer, make sure that you check the label to determine whether it’s alcoholic or not.

Did you make this?  Tag me @mightymocktail or use the hashtag #mightymocktail!

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