Shandy Cocktail on The Rise

By RG writer -- Caitlin Decker

This winter has given rise to a warming trend on the restaurant front.  First, it was fish shack and now, cocktail menus are showing signs of spring fever, like the gimlet, negroni, and Bee's Knees.  More importantly, we've noticed the sudden revival of the beer-based Shandy Cocktail.  Considering the recent popularity of beer halls gardens, it’s no surprise that beer is claiming territory on cocktail menus as well.

 

The Shandy was first created in the UK to drink on hot summer days after football matches.  The classic Shandy is a mix of pilsner beer and lemonade or ginger beer.  Since then, the Shandy has spread throughout the world and every country has their own version and name for it.  It's known as the Panachè in France, the Refàjo in Colombia, the Rock Shandy in Ireland, South Africa and Namibia, the Turbo Shandy or the Cincinnati in America, the Radler in Germany, and the Shandygaff in Japan.  

 

New York has some inspired renditions of this cocktail classic of its own.

Newcomers like The Vanderbilt and Choptank have come with their own refreshing take, like The Vanderbilt's Vandy Shandy made with Slyfox Pikeland Pilsner, Bespoke bitters, fresh, lemon soda and a twist. 

 

And right across the bridge on Bleecker St., Choptank, the West Village's new fish shack, opened with one of the best we’ve tasted to date.  They take a more traditional route, using Schiender Edelweiss beer and Fevertree bitter lemon soda.  It's subtly sweeter than the traditional Shandy and a wonderful complement to their impressive selection of oysters. 

 

But Back Forty has been serving an interesting twist on this classic for quite some time.   Their resident mixologist, Michael Cecconi, has come up with the Penn Shandy, a mix of fresh ginger, ginger-infused Bluecoat Gin, Victory Prima Pils beer to the mix.  While its no longer on the cocktail menu, they happily take requests.   When in doubt, you're certain to find one at British eateries, like Tea & Sympathy and A Salt & Battery.  Or you could just make one at home.  It’s a simple recipe:  Mix one part lemonade or ginger ale and two parts of your favorite lager and name it after yourself.

 

Choptank

308 Bleecker (at Grove)

(212)   675-2009

www.choptanknyc.com

 

The
Vanderbilt

570 Vanderbilt Ave. (at Bergen)

(718)
623-0570

thevanderbiltnyc.com

 

Back
Forty

190
Avenue B (at 12th street)

(212)
388-1990

A Salt & Battery

112 Greenwich Ave.

(212)691-2713