Radler

The Radler is a popular European beverage made by combining beer, typically a pale lager like a pilsner or Helles, with a citrus-flavored soda or sparkling lemonade. The standard ratio is 50/50, creating a light, crisp, and effervescent drink with a lower alcohol content than beer alone. It's celebrated for its thirst-quenching properties, making it a favorite during warm weather, social gatherings, and after physical activity. The sweetness of the soda perfectly balances the slight bitterness of the beer, resulting in an incredibly easy-to-drink beverage.
Radler

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Radler is best categorized as a beer cocktail, a simple and refreshing drink popular throughout Europe. It falls into the broader category of a Shandy. Its primary purpose is to be a thirst-quenching, lower-alcohol beverage, perfect for casual drinking.

Serving

Served cold in a large beer glass like a Pilsner or mug, the Radler is a low-alcohol drink designed for easy sipping. No garnish is typically required.
Serving size
Approx. 350-500 ml / 12-16 oz
Alcohol content
2.0% - 3.0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Pilsner glass or Beer mug (Stein)
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The most popular legend attributes the Radler's invention to a German innkeeper, Franz Xaver Kugler, in the early 1920s. On a hot day, his Bavarian tavern was overwhelmed by a large group of cyclists. To avoid running out of beer, he mixed his remaining stock with sparkling lemon soda and claimed he invented it specifically for the cyclists ("Radler" means cyclist in German) to keep them from getting too drunk on their ride home.
Origin
The Radler is believed to have originated in Bavaria, Germany, around 1922. While the story of Franz Xaver Kugler is widely told, similar beer-and-soda mixtures likely existed before then. However, the Kugler legend popularized the drink and gave it its enduring name.

Radler

Radler, German for "cyclist," is the original name for this beer mix. In Northern Germany, it's often called Alsterwasser ("Water from the Alster river"). In French-speaking regions, it's known as Panaché, meaning "mixed." While technically a type of Shandy, the term Radler typically implies a mix with sparkling lemonade or citrus soda, whereas Shandy can include ginger ale or other mixers.
Original name
Radler
Alternative names
  • Alsterwasser
  • Panaché
  • Shandy

Characteristics overview

The Radler has a refreshing, citrus-forward flavor with a clean, crisp texture and high carbonation. Its aroma is a pleasant mix of lemon and malt, leading to a perfectly balanced and light-bodied summer drink.
Flavor
Citrusy, sweet, malty, crisp, light bitterness
Aroma
Lemon, lime, grainy, bready
Taste balance
Sweet, slightly bitter, slightly sour
Aftertaste
Clean, short, refreshing
Fizziness
Effervescent, fizzy
Color appearance
Pale gold, slightly cloudy, bright
Texture
Light-bodied, watery, crisp
Seasonality
Very refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The Radler is defined by its moderate sweetness and high fruitiness, balanced by very low bitterness from the beer. It is a light, low-alcohol beverage with a pleasant fizziness.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

To create a Radler, you only need two chilled ingredients: a pale lager beer and a sparkling citrus soda. The classic combination uses a 1:1 ratio for a perfectly balanced drink.
  • Pale Lager Beer175 ml / 6 oz
    A German Pilsner or Helles is traditional. Must be well-chilled.
  • Sparkling Lemonade or Citrus Soda175 ml / 6 oz
    German-style sparkling lemonade (like Zitronenlimonade) or a lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7 Up) works well. Must be well-chilled.

Ice type

  • None

Mixing equipments

No special mixing equipment is required to make a Radler; the drink is built directly in the glass it will be served in.
  • None - Poured directly into the serving glass.

Instructions

Making a Radler is incredibly simple: just pour equal parts of chilled beer and chilled sparkling lemonade into a glass. Pouring slowly and at an angle helps control the foam.
1. Take a chilled beer glass (like a Pilsner glass or mug).
2. Tilt the glass and slowly pour in the chilled beer to about the halfway mark, minimizing the foam head.
3. Top up the glass by slowly pouring the chilled sparkling lemonade or citrus soda.
4. Serve immediately while cold and bubbly.

Garnishing

A Radler is typically served without a garnish, but a slice of lemon can be added to enhance the citrus aroma and appearance.
  • Lemon Slice or Wedge (Optional) - Can be placed on the rim or dropped into the glass.

Dietary Information

This drink is generally vegan and free from common allergens like dairy, nuts, and soy, but it is not gluten-free due to the beer base. A non-alcoholic version can be made with non-alcoholic beer.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A Radler is relatively low in calories but contains a moderate amount of carbohydrates and sugar from the soda. A non-alcoholic version would have significantly fewer calories.
Calories
Averagely 120-150 kcal / 500-630 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 20-25 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 15-20 g
Sugar level

Occasions

The Radler is the perfect casual drink for warm weather occasions. It is exceptionally suited for barbecues, picnics, and relaxing in a beer garden, or as a refreshing reward after sports or cycling.
  • Summer afternoon
  • Post-exercise refreshment
  • Barbecue
  • Casual get-together
  • Beer garden visit

Pairing suggestions

The Radler's light and refreshing profile makes it a fantastic partner for classic beer garden fare like sausages and pretzels. It also pairs well with grilled foods, salads, and salty snacks, as its sweetness and carbonation cut through richness and cleanse the palate.
  • Bratwurst and sausages
  • Pretzels
  • Light salads
  • Grilled chicken
  • French fries

Radler: The Ultimate Cyclist's Refresher

The Radler is the quintessential summer refresher, a simple yet brilliant German invention combining the crispness of beer with the sweet tang of citrus soda. Its legendary origin story involving thirsty cyclists perfectly captures its purpose as a thirst-quenching, low-alcohol beverage ideal for daytime enjoyment. Easy to make and even easier to drink, the Radler is a globally beloved beer cocktail that offers a delightful escape from the summer heat.

Similar drinks

Shandy

A broader category that can include mixers other than citrus soda, such as ginger ale or ginger beer.

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