7 Summer Beer Cocktails That Are Better Than Plain Beer

Sometimes a beer just needs a little something extra. These seven beer cocktails are dead simple to make, use ingredients you probably already have, and taste like summer in a glass. They're perfect for pool parties, cookouts, and anyone who wants to level up their drinking game without a mixology degree.

1. The Michelada

The king of beer cocktails. Spicy, tangy, savory, and ice-cold. It's basically a Bloody Mary that went to the beach and never came back.

You need:

• 1 Mexican lager (Modelo, Tecate, Pacifico)
• 2 oz tomato juice or Clamato
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• Hot sauce to taste (Valentina or Tajin)
• Worcestershire sauce, a few dashes
• Tajin on the rim

How: Rim a tall glass with Tajin. Fill with ice. Add lime juice, tomato juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire. Pour in the beer. Stir gently. Garnish with a lime wedge.

2. The Shandy

The most refreshing beer drink ever invented. Half beer, half lemonade, 100% crushable on a hot day.

You need:

• 1 wheat beer or pilsner
• Equal part lemonade (fresh or store-bought)

How: Fill a glass halfway with lemonade. Top with beer. That's it. You're done. You're welcome.

3. Ranch Water Beer

The ranch water trend meets beer. Light, citrusy, and dangerously easy to drink all afternoon.

You need:

• 1 light Mexican lager
• 1 oz tequila
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• Splash of Topo Chico or sparkling water

How: Pour tequila and lime juice into a glass with ice. Top with beer and a splash of sparkling water. Stir once. Drink twice.

4. The Beergarita

A frozen margarita with a beer floated on top. It sounds weird. It works.

You need:

• 1 frozen margarita (homemade or blender mix)
• 1 Corona or light lager

How: Fill a large glass with frozen margarita. Flip the Corona upside down into the glass so it slowly pours in as you drink. It's a party trick and a great drink in one.

5. Black Velvet

Equal parts stout and champagne. It's classy, unexpected, and surprisingly delicious. Perfect for brunch or when you want to confuse your friends.

You need:

• 1 dry stout (Guinness or similar)
• Equal part champagne or sparkling wine

How: Pour champagne into a flute or glass. Slowly layer the stout over the back of a spoon so it floats on top. Sip through the layers.

6. The Radler

A German classic — beer mixed with grapefruit soda. It's tart, fizzy, and lighter than a regular beer. Great when you want to keep drinking but slow down the ABV.

You need:

• 1 lager or pilsner
• Equal part grapefruit soda (Squirt, Jarritos, or San Pellegrino)

How: Pour grapefruit soda into a glass. Top with beer. Done.

7. Summer Hop Cup

A hoppy beer dressed up with fresh fruit and herbs. It's like sangria's cool American cousin.

You need:

• 1 IPA or pale ale
• Sliced citrus (orange, grapefruit)
• Fresh mint or basil
• Splash of ginger beer

How: Muddle a few citrus slices and herb leaves in a glass. Add ice. Pour in the IPA. Top with a splash of ginger beer. Stir gently.

Tips for Better Beer Cocktails

• Start cold — Everything should be refrigerated or on ice before mixing. Warm ingredients kill the carbonation.
• Pour gently — You want to keep the fizz. Don't shake, don't stir aggressively.
• Use good beer — The beer is still the star. Use something you'd drink on its own. Our beer subscription boxes roundup is a great way to discover new options.
• Go easy on add-ins — These are beer drinks, not cocktails. The beer should still come through.

FAQ

What's the best beer for cocktails?

Light lagers and wheat beers are the most versatile — they mix well without overpowering the other ingredients. Mexican lagers (Modelo, Pacifico) are the go-to for anything citrus or spice-forward.

Can you make beer cocktails ahead of time?

You can prep the non-beer ingredients in advance (mix the base for micheladas, make the lemonade for shandies), but always add the beer fresh right before serving to keep the carbonation. These are perfect for batch-prepping at America's best beach bars or your own backyard.

Are beer cocktails lower in alcohol than regular cocktails?

Generally yes, since the beer dilutes the overall ABV compared to a spirit-forward cocktail. A shandy is about half the strength of a regular beer. A beergarita, though, can sneak up on you.

What's the difference between a shandy and a radler?

A shandy uses lemonade, a radler uses grapefruit soda (or other citrus soda). Both are half beer, half mixer. The result is similar — a lighter, fruitier beer drink — but the flavor profile is different.