Shake Up Summer with
BC Craft Beer Cocktails

In the Summer, what’s more refreshing than a cold craft beer? Why, a beer cocktail, of course!

Beer cocktails combine the flavours of craft beer with fresh citrus, herbs, spirits and seasonal ingredients to create drinks that are bright, balanced and surprisingly easy to make at home. Whether you’re hosting friends on the patio, firing up the barbecue or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon in the sunshine, the recipes we’re featuring offer a fresh take on summer sipping.

To keep things local, we’ve paired each cocktail with craft beer from BC breweries and, wherever possible, ingredients from the province. From a spicy IPA Michelada to a creamy Porter Beer Float, there’s a recipe for every taste and every occasion.

Before you start mixing, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your beer cocktails.

 

Tips for Making Beer Cocktails

• Match the beer style to the flavours in your cocktail. Not every beer pairs well with every ingredient.
• IPAs work well with citrus-forward recipes thanks to their bright hop character.
• Crisp lagers, pilsners and lighter ales provide a clean, refreshing base.
• Stir rather than shake. Carbonated beer and cocktail shakers don’t make the best combination. Frozen cocktails are the exception since blenders can handle those.
• Don’t skip the garnish. Fresh herbs, citrus or seasonal fruit add aroma, colour and a finishing touch to make every drink feel a little more special.

---

1. IPA Michelada

The Michelada is a classic beer cocktail for a reason. Bright citrus, a touch of spice and a crisp, hop-forward IPA come together for a refreshing drink that’s made for warm afternoons. This version uses a BC craft IPA for a West Coast twist on the Mexican favourite, with optional Worcestershire and hot sauce adding an extra layer of savoury flavour.

Serves: 1 | Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

• Juice of 1 lime
• Lime wedge
• 1 tbsp of sea salt (pour onto a plate)
• A handful of ice cubes
• 1 tbsp tequila
• Approx 3/4 of a 473ml can of IPA (such as Parkside Brewery’s Humans IPA)
• Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• Tobasco sauce (optional)

Method:

1. Squeeze lime juice into a small bowl or small measuring cup
2. Use a lime wedge around the rim of your serving glass
3. Carefully dip the rim of your glass in the salt (you want to have a thin rim of salt)
4. Add ice, lime juice and tequila to your glass
5. Stir gently and then slowly pour your beer into the glass
6. Garnish with a lime wedge
7. OPTIONAL – Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce and a couple drops of hot sauce for some kick

 

---

2. Raspberry Beergarita

If you’re dreaming of warm weather and beachside margaritas, this raspberry beergarita brings a little vacation energy to your own backyard. Fresh raspberries, lime and tequila pair deliciously with a raspberry-forward BC craft beer for a drink that’s fruity, refreshing and easy to share. Blend it up for your next backyard gathering or sunny afternoon on the patio.

Serves: 2 | Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 4-6 tbsp of tequila, or adjust to your taste
• 1 small lime, juiced
• 1 tall can of raspberry ale or another raspberry-forward beer
• 1 cup of ice
• Lime wedges
• OPTIONAL – Salt for the rim of your glassware (see cocktail #1)

Method:

1. In a blender, blend raspberries and water until smooth. Strain raspberries in a wire mesh colander over a bowl and pour juice back into the blender.
2. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
3. It will be very frothy, so let the liquid settle (just as you would a pint) before pouring.
4. While your liquid is settling, use a lime wedge to wet the rim of your glasses. Rim with salt.
5. Pour, add a lime wedge to each glass and enjoy!

 

Note: If you use frozen raspberries, increase your water amount to 3/4 cup.

Original cocktail recipe by sofabgood.com. 

 

---

3. Orange Elvis

Citrus and hops are a natural pairing, making this IPA cocktail bright, aromatic and surprisingly smooth. Gin, orange juice and a splash of elderflower liqueur complement the beer without overpowering it, while fresh herbs add an extra burst of summer flavour.

Serves: 1 | Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

• 2 oz (4 tbsp) of dry gin (such as Spinnaker’s Botanical Beach London Dry Gin)
• 4 oz or a 1/4 tall can of IPA (such as Yellow Dog Play Dead IPA or Parkside’s Humans IPA)
• 1/2 oz (2 tbsp) St. Germain (semi-optional)
• Ice
• OPTIONAL – Fresh mint for garnish

Method:

1. Put some ice cubes in your glass.
2. Add gin, orange juice and St. Germain to a cocktail glass (or whatever you have available)
3. Use the stem of a spoon to stir and combine.
4. Slowly pour the beer.
5. Garnish with some fresh rosemary or mint.
6. Enjoy!

 

Note: If you have a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, juice and St. Germain. Shake, shake, shake, and strain into a glass with ice cubes. Slowly pour IPA over ice. Add the beer after shaking to preserve the carbonation.

 

---

4. Raspberry Gin-ger Beer

Sweet raspberries, zesty lemon, homemade ginger syrup and gin come together in this vibrant cocktail, with a raspberry beer adding a refreshing finish. It takes a little extra preparation, but the homemade syrup is well worth the effort, and you’ll have enough left over for another round.

Serves: 2 | Time: 1 hour

Ginger Syrup

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup (150 g) of fresh ginger root, chopped
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cup water

Method:

1. Combine water, sugar and ginger in a small saucepan.
2. Heat to a gentle boil.
3. Reduce heat to a simmer and stir until sugar dissolves.
4. Remove from heat and let mixture steep for 30 mins.
5. Strain and chill in a covered container in the fridge.

Note: You’ll have enough left for at least four cocktails.

The Cocktail

Ingredients:

---

5. Black Velvet

Simple, elegant and ready in just a few minutes, the Black Velvet combines sparkling wine with a rich porter or stout for a cocktail that’s both refreshing and decadent. This version uses BC-made bubbly and craft beer for a local take on a timeless classic.

Serves: 1 | Time: 2-3 mins

Ingredients:

• 4 oz bubbly wine (such as Evolve Cellars Pink Effervescence)
• 4 oz porter or stout beer (such as Yellow Dog Smoked Porter)

Method:

1. Pour bubbly into glass (will hit about halfway in a traditional champagne glass)
2. Top it off by slowly pouring your beer.
3. Make another for your partner.
4. Enjoy!

 

Note: While not in season, a stout should give the cocktail an impressive layered look. Regardless, both versions are delicious.

 

---

6. Porter Beer Float

This grown-up take on the classic ice cream float pairs creamy vanilla ice cream with a rich porter or stout for a dessert that’s equal parts nostalgic and indulgent. It’s easy to make, fun to serve and guaranteed to be a conversation starter at your next summer gathering.

Serves: 2 | Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

• Vanilla ice cream (such as Island Farms)
• 1 tall can of porter or stout (such as Yellow Dog Shake a Paw Smoked Porter)

Method:

1. Fill two small mason jars (or glassware of your choice) each with around two big scoops of ice cream
2. Slowly pour half a can of the beer over the ice cream in each glass.
3. Enjoy the creamy, fizzy finish!

Note: If you have kids or want a non-alcoholic version, Phillips Brewing & Malting offers a great root beer. It’s available in most grocery stores.

 

 

 

---

Share your beer cocktail creations with us by tagging @bcaletrail on social media. Happy mixing!

---

Originally written by Yasmine Hardcastle on July 22, 2020. Updated by the BC Ale Trail team in 2026.