Here’s A Simple Radler Beer Recipe To Make The Classic German Beverage!
Searching for the perfect refreshing drink that includes the best of two worlds? Then a radler is for you!
Made from one half beer and one half citrusy soda, this classic German drink (also known as a German Radler or German beer with lemonade) is a hit at beer gardens but sipped on all year round.
It’s easy to whip together so you can enjoy one for yourself in no time!
Radler in Germany
It’s no secret that Radler beer is popular across Germany. In fact, this drink even has different names depending on the region.
In Bavaria (where Lisa grew up), a Radler is called a “Radler” but in the north of Germany you’ll often find it called “Alsterwasser”.
Whatever the local name, German beer lemonade can usually be found on the menu. It’s the kind of thing you’d sip on while enjoying German pretzels and Obatzda (in Bavaria at least)! It’s also a popular drink to enjoy during Oktoberfest!
When talking about Radler names and ingredients, though, you have to be careful. German lemonade is not the same as North American lemonade.
When Germans speak of “Limonade” they are talking about something similar to Sprite or 7-Up (carbonated citrus sodas) not the sweet, non-carbonated lemon beverage.
Since Lisa enjoys this drink, we’re pretty on-top of the topic in North America. Some beer companies do make radlers. That said, many here in Canada make their Radler with grapefruit juice.
While it’s tasty, that’s not how Radler is typically consumed in Germany. In fact, Lisa has never seen a Radler with grapefruit juice before moving to North America.
That’s why we often just make our own Radler at home. This way, we can make it exactly how we like it.
FAQ
A Radler Beer is a German alcoholic drink made from one half beer (usually a pale lager such as pilsner) and one half lemon-lime citrusy soda.
Usually, the beer portion of a Radler is a pale lager, e.g. a pilsner. However, any lighter colored beer will usually do. Just don’t use a stout, amber, or any really dark and/or hoppy beers.
The soda mix in a Radler beer is “German limonade” which is more like a citrusy soda (like Sprite or 7 Up, for example).
From a drink perspective, a Shandy and a Radler are the exact same drink – beer mixed with a lemon-lime soda. The difference is that a Shandy is British since it was invented in Britain whereas a Radler is German. In fact, the Shandy pre-dates the German Radler.
Typically yes, a Radler contains alcohol. However, you can make a Radler with alcohol-free beer if you don’t want it to contain alcohol.
Since a Radler is half beer, yes, you can get drunk off drinking Radlers. That said, they are pretty sugary so you have to be careful with how many you drink!
Making a Radler is really simple. Pour one half of the citrus soda into a glass first. Then, pour in the pale lager beer with the glass at an angle – this will help to prevent the formation of excess foam at the top.
Related Recipes
If you want more tasty German drinks to whip up, here are some more ideas for sipping in the summer or winter season!
- Colaweizen (German Wheat Beer Mixed Drink)
- German Mulled Wine (Glühwein)
- Apfelschrole (German Apple Spritzer)
- Weinschorle (German Wine Spritzer)
Homemade Radler Beer
Ingredients
- 1 cup lemon/lime soda, e.g. Sprite, 7 Up, or similar
- 1 cup pale lager beer
Instructions
- Add the lemon-lime soda to a large beer glass.
- Then pour in the lager beer while angling the glass to avoid too much foam build-up.
Notes
- Only make the Radler before you actually plan to drink it because it can get "flat" if it sits for too long.
- Of course, you can also make a smaller quantity, e.g. 1/2 cup of each liquid – just add the same amount of each.
- You can also play with the ratios of beer to soda to suit your tastes. Half and half is just the most common ratio.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
The absolute best soda to use is lemon pelligrino. Frankly the best beer to mix with is Corona. Try it!!!
Thanks for sharing! I’ve so far always stuck to German beer and Sprite (or the store brand equivalent) when making Radler. /Lisa