Description
A crisp, spiced, and festive fall party drink that balances the bitterness of light lager with the sweetness of apple cider and warm spices like cinnamon and star anise.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 bottles or cans (12oz each) Light Lager or Pilsner
- 1 cup Apple Cider (fresh-pressed or unpasteurized preferred)
- 2–3 Cinnamon Sticks
- 2 Star Anise pods
- 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg (freshly grated)
- 1 strip Orange Peel (large, no white pith)
- Thinly sliced Apple (for garnish)
- Ice Cubes
- Maple syrup or honey (optional, for sweetening)
Instructions
- Place cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, and orange peel into a large 64-ounce glass pitcher.
- Pour the apple cider into the pitcher over the spices. If using, stir in maple syrup or honey to dissolve.
- Ensure the beer is ice-cold. If necessary, chill bottles in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Open the beer bottles and pour them slowly into the pitcher to preserve carbonation, aiming for a 50/50 ratio with the cider.
- Add a generous amount of ice cubes to the pitcher.
- Stir gently with a long spoon to combine ingredients without losing bubbles.
- Refrigerate the pitcher for 15-30 minutes to allow the spices to infuse.
- Serve over fresh ice in mason jars or highball glasses, garnished with an apple slice.
Notes
Use real cinnamon sticks, not ground cinnamon, to avoid a gritty texture. Chill glassware in the freezer before serving for best results. If the drink is too bitter, add more cider; if too sweet, add a splash of soda water. Do not freeze the mixed shandy as carbonation will be lost.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (approx. 6-8
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 14
- Carbohydrates: 18
Keywords: Oktoberfest, apple beer shandy, fall drinks, party drinks, spiced cider, beer cocktail, easy recipes, autumn beverages