SHANDY GAFF

Name: SHANDY GAFF
Ingredients: 6 ounces Porter (or Ale) (Quantity estimated for a standard 12oz glass. Original recipe calls for filling half the glass. Can substitute with Ale as noted in the text.); 6 ounces Ginger Ale (Quantity estimated for a standard 12oz glass. Use a high-quality ginger ale for best flavor.)

This refreshing historical cocktail combines the rich, malty depth of porter or ale with the effervescent spice of ginger ale for a perfectly balanced beverage. Known as a Shandy Gaff, this simple two-ingredient drink transforms a standard beer into a lighter, thirst-quenching cooler that was a staple in early 20th-century bars. It is best served in a large glass to accommodate the frothy head created by mixing the carbonated ginger ale with the beer.

Ingredients

6 ounces Porter (or Ale) (Quantity estimated for a standard 12oz glass. Original recipe calls for filling half the glass. Can substitute with Ale as noted in the text.)
6 ounces Ginger Ale (Quantity estimated for a standard 12oz glass. Use a high-quality ginger ale for best flavor.)

Instructions

1Select a large bar glass (such as a pint glass) and ensure both the beer and ginger ale are well-chilled before starting.
2Pour the Porter (or Ale) into the glass until it is approximately half full.
3Top off the glass by pouring the Ginger Ale to fill the remaining half. Pour gently to manage the foam head.