Apple cider shandy season might just outshine pumpkin beer season — I’m calling it.
Just look at this: a cinnamon-sugar rim, sparkling cider mixed with regular apple cider, served ice cold. It’s refreshingly fall and somehow still tastes like summer — perfect for those warm early-autumn days when it’s still 80 degrees in places. Apple cider shandy is where it’s at.
If you’re not a die-hard beer purist, this is the kind of drink that will make you very happy. It’s light, bubbly, and layered with cozy apple flavor without feeling heavy or cloying.
I’m a big apple cider fan — I don’t drink it daily, but I’d gladly do so if the occasion called for it. In the meantime, apple-scented soaps and cleaners will do, until a cold cider shandy is within reach. The combination just works: sweet and spiced cider balanced with beer and fizzy sparkling cider.
One of the best things about a shandy is how it stretches — you sip it and savor it instead of downing it in seconds. It’s a great option for tailgates, backyard gatherings, or casual get-togethers where you want a seasonal drink that’s easy to serve and crowd-pleasing.
And yes, you can absolutely swap in pumpkin beer if you love that flavor — or mix it with a fall-flavored wheat beer for more complexity. There are so many fun shandy variations: pomegranate shandy, watermelon shandy, and now apple cider shandy joins the lineup.
Every fall I get excited for apple cider sangria and apple cider margaritas — now I can add apple cider shandy to my seasonal favorites. The recipe is a little elevated (yes, two kinds of cider), but the result is bright, fizzy, and warmly spiced.
Ready for crunchy leaves and cooler weather? This is the kind of drink that ushers fall in: crisp apple, gentle spice, bright bubbles, and a beer finish that keeps things light.
Apple Cider Shandy
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar + 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon for the rim
- 1 orange wedge
- 4 ounces cold apple cider
- 2 ounces cold sparkling apple cider
- 8 to 12 ounces your favorite fall-flavored wheat beer – COLD
- apple slices for garnish
Instructions
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Mix the coarse sugar and cinnamon. Run the orange wedge around the rim of a glass, then dip the glass into the cinnamon sugar to coat.
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In a frosty glass, add the apple cider and sparkling cider and stir. Squeeze in the orange wedge, then pour the cold beer over the top. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and an apple slice, and serve immediately.
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Cinnamon-sugar rim: absolutely essential. Don’t skip it.