Beer on the Rocks

When I think about serving beer over ice, for some reason my brain conjures this image: a curmudgeonly, chain-smoking Octogenarian, rocking on a porch chair, taking sips from a mega-sized plastic cup that’s filled to the brim with the Champagne of beers and some cloudy ice cubes. At a certain point you just fully stop caring about what other people think of you and start doing you.

But it’s not just the porch-lady who is onto something. There are beer cocktails like the michelada or the chelada from Mexico, both of which are often served over ice, and both of which are also very refreshing. Another nod that not only is beer on the rocks not a weird thing to do, but actually a sensible choice.

When it’s summer and I’m sweating from pores I didn’t know I had and just trying to enjoy a simple day at the beach or grilling in a park, I will do as porch-lady does and plop a couple of ice cubes in my lager beer. Do I actually secretly love that it slightly waters down my (let’s be honest) already watery-tasting light lager? Yes, yes I do. Hydration is important, especially in the heat. 

However, me sitting here telling you to pour your Mexican lager over ice in the summer is like suggesting florals for spring– “groundbreaking.” So, here are three upgraded ice cubes to try instead of the usual, er, water cubes. 

Each of these cubes, as they melt, will slowly impart a bit of flavor to your beer. Flavors reminiscent of a citrusy shandy, the iconic michelada, and its brighter, lighter cousin, the chelada. These are perfect to pack in a cooler to-go or to set out in ice buckets for some beer on the rocks while you fire up a grill this summer. Use fancy ice cube trays in precious designs (or don’t). Make all of them (or just one). 

Michelada

What Beer Is Best For Serving Over Ice?

Keep it light, easy, and affordable. Mexican Lagers or American-Style Lagers are your best bets. For the citrus shandy cubes, Wheat beers are also a good choice. I am not suggesting you complicate the taste of an expensive double-IPA or Trappist ale with this ice. Grab a twelve pack of some easy-drinking beer for you and some friends, and have fun with it.

Citrus Shandy Cubes

If a beer mimosa (aka beermosa) sounds even vaguely interesting, then these cubes are for you. Pick your juice of choice or do trays with some of each type so your guests can try them all and decide what they love most. Campari liqueur is an optional addition to the juice cubes, and its bitter orange flavor cuts the sweet of the orange juice especially well. 

(Kinda) Michelada Cubes

A true michelada can contain the additional elements of Worcestershire, Tabasco, Maggi seasoning, soy sauce, and on and on. These short-cut michelada cubes are ideal in a pinch and great if you need a portable flavor boost to your favorite Mexican lager. 

Chelada Cubes

The chelada is another Mexican beer cocktail that pairs down all the elements of its michelada cousin to two simple ingredients: lime juice and salt. In these cubes I’ve diluted the pure lime juice with a bit of water so that as the cubes melt the beer doesn’t get too bitter too fast.