Radler Beer

What is in a Radler? Radler Beer Ingredients

The traditional Radler is mixed with Munich Helles and Zitronenlimonade. Munich Helles is a sweeter German lager originally created in response to the growing popularity of Czech Pilsner. Zitronenlimonade is a lemon flavored soda popular in Germany. A Radler is therefore low in alcohol (helles ABV is in the vicinity of 5%) and very refreshing. 

For this post I used a German Pils and a sparkling lemonade I got at Trader Joe's. The lemonade was a bit on the sweet side which is why I decided to go with the pilsner and its confident Noble hops bitterness instead of a helles.

TIP: If you don't want your Radler to taste too sweet, I'd recommend using the San Pellegrino brand lemon soda. It tastes tarter and harder, very close to actual Zitronenlimonade. Or use a bitterer North German style pilsner to offset a sweeter sparkling lemonade. 

What is the alcohol by volume of German Beer Lemonade?

If you use a 1:1 ratio of lager to sparkling lemonade the ABV if half of that of the beer used. So a 5.2% ABV beer will translate to a beer lemonade with 2.6% ABV.

Radler Historical Background

If you are into recreational cycling or beer you have already heard of the epic German low alcohol thirst quencher. Radler stands for cyclist in a dialect of German spoken in the South.

The name came about because a lot of recreational cyclists enjoyed the lager and sparkling lemonade combination. Those were riders who took on a picturesque but strenuous day trip ride to Deisenhofen, a small town outside of Munich. Once there, they were all thirsty and an entrepreneurial local inn operator mixed the drink to cater to them. 

Those riders were able to make it back to Munich without incidents after enjoying a few drinks. The Radler became a veritable low alcohol refreshment icon.

Its popularity quickly transcended the boundaries of Bavaria and spread throughout Germany. Today in the North of the country the same cocktail is known as Alsterwasser. It is mixed with a German style Pils lager, which in North Germany happens to be a bit stronger and more bitter than the maltier, balanced Munich Helles. 

How to Make a Radler

• To make a German beer lemonade fill a glass about half way with ice cold sparkling lemonade, then top with ice cold German lager (Munich Helles or Pilsner).

• If you are so inclined - garnish with a lemon slice and add an ice cube or two. (Psst - neither one is traditional so stick to the two ice cold beverage ingredients if traditional is your intention).

NOTE: Typically (as in 99% of the time) there are no froufrou garnishes associated with a radler. But not always. Once while in Freiburg I was served a fancy version - adorned with a sprig of rosemary. Pretty good - the fragrance of rosemary does add an extra aromatic dimension as you bring the glass towards your nose.