Inspired by Wine Republic founder Fiona’s favourite summer cocktail and said bottle shop’s new collection of craft spirits, Fred Siggins from Black Pearl created this ‘Raicilla Shandy’. “Shandies are a great Australian tradition. I tend to judge a venue on whether or not they’re happy to make you a shandy; if somebody’s going to be a wanker about it then I’ve got no time for them” explains Fred. This is not your grandad’s beer and lemonade mix however. Raicilla is a potent cousin to tequila and the drink includes a beer made with green tea instead of hops (“you can taste the tea…it comes through in a really subtle way”) and botanically brewed soda. Fred particularly likes this cocktail “coz it’s the weirdest and I’m all about weird stuff”. Let’s help the good (not so) old-fashioned shandy make a comeback this summer because as Fred says “Shandies are rad.”

Raicilla Shandy

30ml La Venenosa Raicilla
Yeastie Boys Gunnamatta Tea Leaf IPA, chilled
Fentimans Rose Lemonade, chilled
mint spring, to garnish

In a pot glass add raicilla and top up with equal parts IPA and lemonade. Garnish with mint.

Join the Wine Republic at 265 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.