In my opinion, summertime cookouts are incomplete without cold beverages. At my house, a cold glass of something is a requirement just to get the grilled started!
If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary to keep you cool while your grill is hot, here are a few you might not have tried. Hopefully you’ll find one to pair perfectly with your flame kissed meats — I’m referring to your grilled burgers and steaks, of course.
This summer, let the kids have all the Lemonade, Kool Aid and Tang they want. Keep these refreshments for yourself!
Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy
If Beer and Lemonade got together and had a little baby, they would name it Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy. This beer-cocktail in a bottle is a blend of wheat beer and lemon flavors. Light, crispy — and distinctly lemon flavored — its a good choice for extended grilling sessions and long days in the sun.
Seasonally available during the summer months at BevMo and other outlets, Summer Shandy sells for $7-8/six pack of 12oz bottles. Disclosure: Leinenkugel’s sent me two bottles to sample. I tasted one for this review and I’m saving one for the Fourth!
If you want to get a closer look at where this beer comes from, you might consider entering Leinenkugel’s “Trip to Chip” contest. Among other things, the winner gets a five-night stay for two in Chippewa Falls, the “legendary spot where Leinenkugel’s began 144 years ago”. If you win, just remember us little people, OK!? More details on their website: http://leinie.com/triptothechip/index.html (age verification required).
Sailor Jerry Backyard Tea
I’m from the South so I know that sweet tea and the summer go together like ants and picnics. Here’s a recipe for taking your tea to the next level by adding a touch of Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum.
Backyard Tea
2 parts Sailor Jerry Rum
1 part iced tea
2 parts lemonade
Glass: highball
Method: Add ingredients to in ice-filled glass and garnish with a lemon wedge
I just got a sample of Sailor Jerry in; stay tuned for a detailed review! (Update: The review is online! Follow this link to check it out.)
Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine Apple Pie Moonshine
After all the grilling is done and the sun is setting on your cookout, try this one with dessert. To make this beverage, Ole Smoky Tennessee takes corn whiskey — made from a 100 year old recipe — and blends it with pure apple juice, ground cinnamon and other spices. Disclosure: I haven’t tried this one yet but the folks at Ole Smoky are convincing when they say their Apple Pie Moonshine is “very drinkable and goes down as easy as a forkful of sweet apple pie”.
My only question is, can I put a scoop of vanilla ice cream in it? 😀
Just saw a commercial for a beer lemonade. It was made by a major manufacturer too. Maybe MGD? Or Bud? It sounds totally interesting.
I’ll have to keep a look out for it! This one was very interesting — crisp and refreshing — which makes me want to tray other brands as well. Or maybe even try to mix some up at home! 🙂