Geordie Shandy Cocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Geordie Shandy is a long, easy-drinking highball that plays on the familiar shandy idea—beer lengthened and softened with something bright and sweet—then nudges it into modern “alcopop” territory. Rather than leaning on lemonade, you’re pairing a straightforward lager with Smirnoff Ice for a simple, pub-friendly serve that feels more like a casual mixer than a cocktail with a deep backstory.
On the palate, the lager brings crisp, grainy bitterness and a clean, dry finish, while Smirnoff Ice adds a clear, sugary citrus lift that smooths the beer’s edges. You’ll find the sweetness rounds out the lager’s bite, and the combined carbonation keeps everything light and brisk, with the citrusy notes sitting on top of the beer’s refreshing snap.
Serve it tall in a highball glass when you want something low-fuss and crowd-pleasing—ideal for barbecues, match days, or any laid-back get-together. It suits you if you like beer but prefer it sweeter and more approachable, or if you’re after a fizzy, sessionable drink that stays refreshing from first sip to last.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail Colin says:
Lager brings crisp grain and gentle bitterness, while Smirnoff Ice adds bright citrus sweetness and a fizzy, candy-leaning finish, turning the drink into a long, bubbly refresher. It works because the lager’s bite reins in the Smirnoff Ice sweetness and the extra carbonation keeps it light; ideal for easy sipping and anyone who likes beer softened by sweet citrus.
Method
How to make a Geordie Shandy
- Lager 275ml, Smirnoff Ice 275ml
-
- To a pint glass, add a full bottle of Smirnoff Ice and fill to the top with Newcastle Brown Ale, then serve
Power tips
Elevate the Geordie Shandy with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Upgrade to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the best way to serve a Geordie Shandy?
The best way to serve a Geordie Shandy is cold, using a highball glass. Ensure both the Smirnoff Ice and the lager are chilled before mixing them directly in the glass to preserve the fizz and refreshment factor.
Can I substitute any ingredients in a Geordie Shandy?
Yes, while the traditional Geordie Shandy calls for Smirnoff Ice and lager, you can substitute the lager with another type of beer for a different taste. Light beers work well for a lighter flavor, or you can experiment with ales or IPAs for a more robust profile.
What occasions are best suited for serving Geordie Shandy?
Geordie Shandy is perfect for casual gatherings, summer barbecues, and sports watch parties. Its light and refreshing nature makes it an excellent choice for warm weather occasions or anytime you want a light alcoholic option that's easy to drink.
How does the alcohol content of Geordie Shandy compare to other cocktails?
With an alcohol content of 4.75%, Geordie Shandy is on the lower end of the spectrum compared to traditional cocktails, which can vary from about 5% (light cocktails) to as much as 40% ABV (strong cocktails like Martinis). This makes it a good option for those seeking a lighter alcoholic beverage.
Are there any customization ideas for Geordie Shandy to suit personal preferences?
Absolutely! For a sweeter variant, consider adding a splash of lemonade or a lemon-lime soda. If you prefer a more bitter or complex profile, add a dash of bitters or use a craft lager. Additionally, garnishing with a slice of lemon or lime can add a refreshing citrus twist.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Dive into this chili-infused lager delight
Oliver Twist
Dry gin, Elderflower liqueur, Lager, Lemon juice, Honey, Chilli peppers
Taste this bold fusion of cider and lager
Snakebite
Cider, Lager, Blackcurrant cordial
Experience this creamy bourbon cocktail with pumpkin zest
Pumpkin Bourbon Flip
Rye whiskey, Amaretto, Lager, Agave syrup, Butter, Egg
Red Eye
Vodka, Lager, Tomato juice, Egg
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we'll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we'll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments