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Boysenberry Shandy: The Ultimate Guide to This Refreshing Drink

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A refreshing shandy with light beer, tart lemon, and sweet boysenberry syrup. Homemade syrup recommended!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz. chilled light beer (lager or pilsner recommended)
  • 4 oz. boysenberry syrup (see recipe below, or use store-bought high-quality syrup)
  • 2 oz. fresh lemon juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon wedges or boysenberries, for garnish (optional)
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen boysenberries
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Combine ingredients. In a medium saucepan, combine the boysenberries, sugar, and water.
  2. Simmer. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Cook down. Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the syrup has thickened slightly. The berries should be soft and have released their juices.
  4. Strain the syrup. Place a fine-mesh sieve over a heat-proof bowl. Pour the boysenberry mixture into the sieve. Use the back of a spoon to press the berries and extract as much juice as possible. Discard the solids.
  5. Add lemon juice. Stir in the lemon juice. This will help to brighten the flavor and preserve the syrup.
  6. Cool and store. Let the syrup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
  7. Chill your beer and syrup. This is crucial! A cold shandy is a refreshing shandy. Make sure your beer is well-chilled and your boysenberry syrup is also cold. This prevents the shandy from becoming watered down too quickly.
  8. Prepare your glass. Grab a tall glass, preferably a pint glass or a large tumbler. Fill it with ice cubes. The amount of ice is up to you, but I like to fill it about two-thirds full.
  9. Add the boysenberry syrup. Pour 4 ounces of boysenberry syrup over the ice. If you’re using a measuring cup, great! If not, just eyeball it. You can always adjust the amount to your liking in future batches. Remember, this is your shandy!
  10. Add the lemon juice. Pour 2 ounces of fresh lemon juice over the syrup. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always best for the brightest flavor. Bottled lemon juice will work in a pinch, but the taste won’t be quite as vibrant.
  11. Pour in the beer. Gently pour the chilled light beer over the syrup and lemon juice. Pour slowly to avoid excessive foaming. You want a nice, even mix without losing all the carbonation.
  12. Stir gently. Use a long spoon or straw to gently stir the shandy. Be careful not to over-stir, as this can cause the beer to go flat. You just want to combine the ingredients enough so that the syrup is evenly distributed.
  13. Taste and adjust. Give your shandy a taste. If it’s too sweet, add a little more lemon juice. If it’s not sweet enough, add a touch more boysenberry syrup. If it’s too strong, add a splash more beer. The beauty of a shandy is that you can customize it to your own preferences.
  14. Garnish (optional). If you’re feeling fancy, garnish your shandy with a lemon wedge or a few fresh boysenberries. This adds a nice visual appeal and a little extra flavor.
  15. Serve immediately. Enjoy your refreshing Boysenberry Shandy immediately! It’s best served cold and fresh.

Notes

  • Type of Beer: A light beer like a lager or pilsner is recommended.
  • Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of boysenberry syrup and lemon juice to your liking.
  • Sparkling Water: Substitute some of the beer with sparkling water for a lighter shandy.
  • Other Berries: Use raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries if you don’t have boysenberries.
  • Spiced Syrup: Add spices like cinnamon, cloves, or cardamom to the boysenberry syrup.
  • Frozen Fruit: Frozen boysenberries work perfectly well for the syrup.
  • Make it a Mocktail: Omit the beer and replace it with sparkling water or lemon-lime soda.
  • Batching: Multiply the ingredients for a party, but add the beer just before serving.

Find it online: https://mmmflavors.com/boysenberry-shandy/