What’s the Difference Between a Radler and a Shandy?

Shandies and radlers are two of the most popular light alcoholic beverages which are consumed and beloved by many during the warm summer months of the year.

While both of these drinks are quite similar and made with a base of beer and fruit beverages, there are some important differences that differentiate these two summer classics. What are they, then? Let’s find out!

Radler

A radler is a drink that originated in Germany in the early 20th century when cyclists were looking for a refreshing and hydrating brew to drink after long bike rides. A 50/50 mix of beer and lemon soda was created, but has since evolved into a drink that can be made with all kinds of fruit drinks. One of the most popular radlers on Earth is Austria’s Stiegl Radler, which is made with grapefruit juice.

Shandy

Shandies, originating in England, are a common fruit and beer mixture which is always made with a type of lemonade. These lemonades can either be carbonated or non-carbonated, but the result is always a mixture of beer and a lemon drink. The proportion of beer to lemonade sometimes varies, with beer occasionally being as low as 30% in the mixture.