A Rousing Performance – IPA & Aperol Shandy

In some personal news, I am now a regular contributor to Ottawa Magazine. This recipe was featured in the Spring 2022 edition of the magazine in my first published article titled “Shake up a shandy” alongside two other beer cocktails I created for the issue. You can purchase the full print issue here.

As a proud Ottawan with an adventurous palate and appreciation for all things delicious, I am pleased as punch to be able to contribute my writings and imagery to this fantastic publication.

For my inaugural article, I wanted to showcase some of our best local breweries and put their craft beers to work in a series of shandies. A Rousing Performance is inspired by the classic Americano cocktail which is comprised of Campari, sweet vermouth, and club soda – the result is a slightly bitter, refreshing drink well-suited to aperitivo hour.

A Rousing Performance maintains the essence of the Americano but borrows bitterness from the Rabble Rouser India Pale Ale from Hintonburg brewery, Tooth and Nail. The Rabble Rouser is a unique IPA with a bracing but balanced hoppy bitterness with flavours of peach, mango, and pine. Given the bitterness of the IPA, I’ve replaced the Campari typical of an Americano with a more approachable amaro (Italian herbal liqueur), Aperol.

Sweet vermouth offers a welcome juxtaposition to the bitter components and a squeeze of fresh grapefruit juice delivers acidity and brightness.

This is a simple summer cocktail that uses ingredients you’re likely to have on hand. If you live in the Ottawa area and haven’t stopped in at Tooth & Nail, I recommend paying them a visit to discover their craft beers. If you’re not much of a beer drinker, fear not, their team was hugely helpful to me as I navigated their offerings in my recipe development process, and I suspect they’ll be similarly happy to guide you in your discovery.

Be sure to pick up the latest issue of Ottawa Magazine to read my full article and stay tuned for more to come!

A Rousing Performance

Print

A Rousing Performance

Prep Time

2 mins

Total Time

2 mins

 

This concoction is inspired by the classic Americano cocktail (Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda). The Rabble Rouser American India Pale from Tooth and Nail delivers a well-balanced hoppiness with flavours of peach, mango, and pine. It has an assertive but pleasant bitter finish that adds structure to this shandy.

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Canadian

Keyword: Aperol, Beer Cocktails, Shandy

Servings: 1 drink

Author: Yvonne Langen

Ingredients

• 1 oz Aperol
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 1 oz grapefruit juice
• 6 oz Tooth and Nail Rabble Rouser
• Garnish: grapefruit twist

Instructions

1. Add first three ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled highball glass.
2. Top with Tooth and Nail Rabble Rouser, stir well to combine.
3. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.