4 Beer Cocktails To Try This July 4

July 4 is T-minus four days away. You got your beers in yet? The amber nectar will be in full glow this Saturday, and we anticipate many sore heads the following morning – if you are drinking, make sure to alternate with glasses of water, folks. I speak from experience. 

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This year, though, use the endless supply of beer not just as an invitation to consume more of it, but as one to experiment. Try whipping up some simple beer cocktails this year to make your beverage choices just that bit more interesting. Here are a few of our favorites.

Michelada

One of the most famous beer cocktails out there, and for good reason: The Michelada is easy to make, refreshing, and great both as a brunch drink and as a hair-of-the-dog option (not that we’re recommending that). It’s also easy to make with non-alcoholic beer, so everyone can take part.

The Michelada is, for all intents and purposes, a spin on a Bloody Mary. Combine ½ ounce of lime juice, 2 dashes each of Worcestershire and Tabasco sauce, a pinch of black pepper and celery salt, and a bottle of lager in a glass, rimmed with salt and cayenne (or Tajin). Stronger versions also incorporate a dash of tequila…

Lagerita

…but I’d recommend saving that for your Lageritas! This one’s what it sounds like: A version of a margarita, made with lager. You essentially just put together a margarita as you normally would, but top it with four ounces of your favorite lager (just make sure it’s a super light one) to turn it into a long drink. Beware: This one’s punchy, and the addition of lager can make it very drinkable, so pace yourself. 

Campari IPA

Fruitier, full-bodied, good-quality IPAs pair surprisingly well with herbal liqueurs, where the latter takes the place of fruit juice or another mixer to create something a bit more enticing and robust. Campari works excellently with ale: Add two ounces of the former into a glass with a few ice cubes, and top with a bottle of IPA. Finish it with a dash of orange juice to enhance the fruity notes. 

Boiler Room

This one takes a couple of extra ingredients, but trust me: On a hot, sunny day, few cocktails will hit like a Boiler Room. Combine an ounce each of bourbon and lemon juice with a half-ounce of ginger liqueur and honey syrup (if you don’t have this, just mix equal parts honey and water). Add an ounce and a half of cool marigold tea (you can use chamomile instead), and three ounces of Belgian wheat beer. Stir and pour over ice. Like I said: Takes a bit of preparation and purchasing beforehand, but it’s worth it.