6 beer cocktail recipes you can make at home

What exactly is a beer cocktail, and what makes it a good summer beverage?  

Although the official definition of a cocktail is a drink containing three or more ingredients, generally speaking a beer cocktail is one that mixes beer with at least one other alcoholic drink, said On the Coast beer columnist Rebecca Whyman. 

"Beer is already bubbly and flavourful, so why not add to that and make an extra refreshing summer drink?" she asked.

Keep reading for six different beer cocktail recipes you can use to mix it up.  

Black Velvet

"If it's too hot for that stout that you've been craving, half and half it with champagne."

5 oz champagne
5 oz Irish stout beer

Combine all ingredients in a glass and stir.

Source: Public House at The Venetian

Beer Margarita, or 'beergarita'

If you're looking for a blended drink, limeade, beer and tequila makes a "beergarita," Whyman said.

6 oz each of frozen (undiluted) limeade
6 oz tequila
6 oz lager

Blend with ice until smooth. If you feel so inclined garnish with a slice of lime.

Source: The Drinks Business

Cucumber Blonde Bloody Mary

"I often find that a Caesar or a Bloody Mary feels a little thick in the summer," said Whyman who suggests this alternative.

2 oz Cucumber Vodka
4 grape tomatoes
1 dash celery salt
1 dash pepper
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1 dash hot sauce
½ oz lime juice
2 oz blonde beer
Garnish: celery stick

Muddle tomatoes, celery salt and pepper in a cocktail shaker. Add remaining ingredients except beer. Add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with beer and garnish with a celery stick.

Source: David Nepove, mixologist

Weissen Sour

"A whiskey sour? You might not want a great big glass while you're sitting out on the patio, worried that it'll be too high alcohol content, so lighten it up by throwing some white ale in there."

2 oz. bourbon
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
¼ oz simple syrup
Barspoon of orange marmalade
2 dashes orange bitters
2 oz white ale

Combine all ingredients and gently shake with ice. Strain over fresh ice cubes into a highball glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Source: Jasper's Corner Tap & Kitchen, San Francisco, Calif.

Lambic Sangria

"Instead of a wine in a sangria, use a lambic. Perfect!" Whyman said.

750 mL of a raspberry or peach lambic
4 oz Tequila
1 oz Cointreau
the juice from half a lemon
3 peaches

Simply combine all these ingredients in a large pitcher, stir and enjoy.

Source: The Drinks Business

Bloody Hell: Blood Oranges, Jalapeno, Whiskey and Beer Cocktail

This one is Whyman's pick for best name. 

2 oz blood orange juice 
1 ½ oz bourbon 
1 tbs agave 
1 jalapeno, sliced 
2 oz IPA beer 

In a shaker filled with ice add the blood orange juice, bourbon, agave and sliced jalapeno. Shake well. Pour through a strainer into a highball glass with ice. Add beer. Stir.

Source: The Beeroness

If your idea of summer relaxation doesn't involve mixing your own drinks, you can find beer cocktails around town, including at Rogue Kitchen and Wetbar's three locations, L'Abbatoir, Bitter Tasting Room and Central City Brew Pub in Surrey. 

To hear the full interview with Rebecca Whyman, listen to the audio labelled: Beer cocktails, including the "beergarita."