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Beer Sangria

Beer Sangria2

The first cocktail ever invented was a beer cocktail. Although the term cocktail will need to be defined as "a beverage made by mixing two or more alcoholic liquids" to come to that conclusion, and legions of cocktail snobs will stand up to debate that with me, I firmly defend the beer cocktail as being the spark that ignited a cultural inferno.

Beer Sangria4

It was the early 1600’s and rum had just been discovered on sugar cane plantations in the Caribbean, after what I’m assuming wasn’t much more than a school-yard dare, when workers decided to taste the fermented mixture of water and molasses. It was such an instant success it quickly became an accepted form of currency.

Beer Sangria

Sailors were given a "rum ration" on long voyages (which gave rise to the popular pairing of pirates and bottles of rum, yo-ho-ho). As a way to extend those rations, they began to mix rum with beer, water, sugar, and whatever else they could find. They called this charming mixture of beer, rum, and whatever: Grog. Although the hangover-inducing thought of that might not sound so appealing, it’s definitive proof that beer mixology isn’t a new phenomenon.

In fact, beer mixology predates liquor mixology.

Beer Sangria-3

At the time, it was out of necessity, beer was cheaper and more abundant than other liquors so it made economic sense. These days, craft beer has a database of flavors that no other liquor can touch.

From caramel and molasses to grass and apricots, this is booze that makes sense to mix into your cocktails.

It’s not about improving beer, it’s about improving the cocktail.

Beer Sangria

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup peach nectar I used Kerns
  • 2 ounces fresh lemon juice
  • 2 ounces simple syrup
  • 4 ounces Pisco Reservado
  • 2 cups frozen peaches
  • 24 ounces summer style ale see note

Instructions
 

  • In a large pitcher stir together the peach nectar, lemon juice, simple syrup and Pico. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
  • Add the peaches and beer, serve immediately.

Notes

Beer: A lot of the new summer release beers will work really well for this, look for a beer with notes of citrus, apricots, peaches, or basil.
Pisco: Pisco Reservado is a liquor made in the winemaking regions of Peru and Chili, a brandy made from wine grapes. Most liquor store will carry it, call around to find some in your area.
Peaches: You can cut and freeze your own peaches or you can buy them frozen. Using frozen peaches instead of ice will help to avoid a watered down pitcher of booze.

 

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Comments


Averie @ Averie Cooks July 23, 2013 um 1:32 am

I need like 3 of these. Please 🙂 They look wonderful! I’ve never even heard of Pisco Reservado but it sounds like I need to get familiar!

Reply

Sarah July 23, 2013 um 1:57 am

I love me a beer cocktail – From a humble shandy to a beer sangria, I’m in!

Reply

Tieghan July 23, 2013 um 6:14 am

If I drank, I think I would love this!

Reply

Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie July 23, 2013 um 8:07 am

Love it! I once made a beermosa for watching early football games O:-)

Reply

Cassie | Bake Your Day July 23, 2013 um 2:48 pm

Totally gorgeous! I haven’t had near enough sangria this summer, either. That needs to change ASAP.

Reply

Chapman S. July 24, 2013 um 3:56 am

Very interesting history of beer mixology!

Reply

Jessi @ Practically Functional July 24, 2013 um 11:30 pm

Yum! This looks amazing; I never would have thought to make sangria with beer, but this sounds like it’s totally delicious! I’m pinning this for sure, and I’m stopping by to let you know I featured this on my blog today as part of a roundup of 25 Refreshing Summer Cocktails! Feel free to stop by and grab a Featured button if you’d like, and thanks again for the great recipe!

Reply

addie | culicurious July 28, 2013 um 1:16 pm

Oh I love the idea of beer sangria! And thanks for including that history. Very interesting 🙂

Reply

Bree (Skinny Mommy) July 29, 2013 um 6:55 am

I don’t typically drink liquor so this is right up my alley–beer! Love it!

Reply

Nate August 1, 2013 um 7:06 am

Hey I can’t wait to make this, but I have a random question, where did you buy those glasses?

Reply

Jackie August 1, 2013 um 7:17 am

I love those glasses! Intended for daiquiris, I believe. They came from Sur La Table.

Reply

aida mollenkamp August 21, 2013 um 12:40 pm

No matter what the cocktail purists say, I say this Beer Sangria sounds phenomenal!

Reply

Stacy December 28, 2018 um 7:25 pm

Am I missing something? At what point do you add the beer? Do you mix it all in the pitcher, or pour the beer on a per-glass basis?

Reply

Jackie December 30, 2018 um 10:33 am

step 2 🙂

Reply

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