Aspen Times Weekly Libation: A Dandy Shandy

Don’t let life’s lemons sour your summer. Use them to sour your beer, instead. It’s what’s called a shandy, a refreshing drink that classically is beer mixed with lemonade, though other flavors can be used. It has been a seasonal staple in Europe since at least the mid-1800s when British drinkers ordered their “shandygaff,” often beer mixed with ginger ale. But lately it’s been showing up on American cocktail menus and supermarket shelves, with new bottled and canned varieties on the market and bartenders experimenting with their own fruity beer combos. The idea is to have fun with a drink that’s a little bit lower in alcohol and a departure from some of the oh-so-serious drinks that have been dominating cocktail menus recently.

Libations was created by beloved Aspen Times publisher, Gunilla Asher, who passed away June 2, 2014, after a brave battle with cancer. Cheers — to Gunner!