These beer cocktail recipes turn crisp lagers into refreshing summer sippers and chocolaty stouts into decadent dessert drinks. Beer adds depth and complexity to classics like margaritas, micheladas and shandies.
1/10
Michelada
From the Recipe Creator:
Like your drinks with a south-of-the-border vibe? Try this kicked-up beer cocktail that’s a zesty mix of Mexican lager, lime juice and hot sauce. Many variations exist, but this easy recipe is perfect for rookie mixologists. —Ian Cliffe, Milwaukee, WI
2/10
Beer Margarita
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm always surprised when people say they didn't know this drink existed. It's a really refreshing cocktail, and it's easy to double or triple the recipe. —Arianne Barnett, Kansas City, Missouri
3/10
Guinness Float
From the Recipe Creator:
That very first sip of a Guinness is what inspired this quick and easy dessert. The rich, creamy foam that gathers on the top of a freshly poured draft made me think of vanilla ice cream. At that point, I knew I had to combine the two in a Guinness float. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
4/10
Manmosa
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s a guy-friendly adaptation of the sweet and fruity mimosa. This combo of OJ and beer is a tasty kick-off to Dad’s big day. —Mike Dietiker, Elburn, Illinois
5/10
Midwest Mary
From the Recipe Creator:
In the Midwest, Bloody Marys garnished with meats, cheeses and veggies are works of art. My beverage has skewers of bratwurst, cheese curds and dill pickles. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
6/10
Sour Cherry Shandy
From the Recipe Creator:
A shandy is beer mixed with a nonalcoholic drink like fruit juice or lemonade. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
7/10
Blackberry Beer Cocktail
From the Recipe Creator:
This refreshing hard lemonade has a mild alcohol flavor; the beer adds just enough fizz to dance on your tongue as you sip. Sorry, adults only! —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida
8/10
Sweet Tea Boysenberry Shandy
From the Recipe Creator:
I love an ice-cold beer on a hot summer day. I also love sweet tea, so one day I got the great idea to mix the two. Wow! It was absolutely delish. I experimented with different flavorings, and this combination was my favorite. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
9/10
Hop, Skip and Go
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a different drink for a beer-drinking crowd. It gets a touch of sweetness from lemonade. Make it in a blender for a frothy, fun look or mix in a pitcher for less foam.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
10/10
Skinny Huckleberry Cocktail
From the Recipe Creator:
I re-created a skinny huckleberry cocktail I had during a vacation in Idaho and Wyoming. The flavor of vodka and the drink mix can be varied to suit your taste preferences. —Susan Franck, Rapid City, South Dakota
Beer Cocktails FAQ
What is the best beer for making cocktails?
You can use any beers of the world to make a cocktail, but we generally prefer light beers like lagers, pilsners and wheat beers. Their crisp, clean finish pairs well with fruity mixers, flavored liqueurs, citrus juices and herbs. For richer drinks, a stout or porter can add depth to cocktails like Guinness floats. Hoppy IPAs are the trickiest, as their bitterness can overpower other flavors unless balanced with bold mixers.
How do you make a simple beer cocktail?
The easiest way to make a beer cocktail is to start with a chilled beer and add one or two flavorful ingredients, like lemonade, ginger syrup or iced tea. Stir gently and pour the mixture into an ice-filled glass. Try mixing wheat beer with lemonade to create a shandy, or combine a Mexican lager with lime juice, Maggi seasoning and maybe a little hot sauce for a classic michelada.
What flavors pair well with beer?
Flavors that pair well with beer include citrus, berries, ginger, herbs and stone fruits. Lime and orange are classic pairings for light lagers, while ginger and cinnamon work well with darker brews like brown ales. Bitters and herbal liqueurs like Aperol or Campari can also layer in complexity, especially if you’re swapping in beer for Prosecco in brunch cocktails like an Aperol spritz. When building flavor, keep the beer’s natural profile in mind. Something sweet or acidic can help round out the bitterness of hops.
