LemonGrassGirls.com

I'm a Yankee Doodle Shandy

Why thank you for asking, Dina.  There are many kinds of shandies, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. I do believe a shandy usually is beer flavored with some sort of soft drink.  I've seen as many shandy recipes as I have shortbread recipes. 

Bitters is some sort of distilled concoction of herbs and spices.  I have no clue what herbs and spices are generally used.  Angostura keeps their recipe secret.  Angostura is the most common brand, but there are others out there.  In my opinion, no home bar should be without bitters.  I do believe you can get a bottle at your local supermarket. 

We're having a huge thunderstorm here.  I love the smell of summer rain.  Makes me want celebrate 4th of July with a hot dog and a Yankee Doodle Shandy (not yet invented yet as far as I can tell - who wants to invent it?)

Ann Zuccardy,
Vermont Shandy (oops..shortbread) Company

Hot, Hot, Hot!

Ah, the days are long and sticky.  The summer solstice is this week.  Time for me to whip out the refreshing non-alcoholic summertime drink recipes. 

When I was in Zimbabwe in 1992, I became a fan of the Malawi Shandy, a refreshing pick me up that is just as good in my Vermont back yard as it was in the African bush. 

It's so easy to make.  Mix over ice:

• Equal parts of giner ale and Sprite (or lemonade as the locals referred to it - any lemon/lime soft drink will do)
• A couple shakes of Angostura bitters

It's pretty simple and a nice change of pace from the usual summer drinks. Now, just sit back, close your eyes, sip, and imagine giraffes nibbling the vegetation from the tops of your trees. 

Ann Zuccardy, the creator of the hottest shortbread in the universe!