If ever there were an appropriate post-yardwork cocktail, this would be it. Four ingredients make up a simple and refreshing drink that’s still strong enough to make any day better.

The original cocktail is the genius creation of Adam Bryan, a mixologist in the ATX whom I used to bug whenever I had a hankering for an amazing mixed drink. He entered this concoction in a Maker’s Mark competition and I instantly fell in love (his beer of choice: Ommegang Hennepin). I’ve been making it in different variations ever since. This version calls for a Berliner Weisse (mine was homebrewed). A saison or hefeweizen would also work exceptionally well. I also recommend mudding mint and blackberries for a julep approach. Or substitute the lemon with orange and add a splash of cranberry juice. Keep this recipe in your back pocket and have fun with it, particularly as the days begin to warm up.

Ingredients
Makes one cocktail

• 2 oz. bourbon
• zest from half a lemon
• 2 tsp. turbinado sugar
• 5 oz. berliner weisse
• lemon wheel for garnish

Steps

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add bourbon, lemon zest, and sugar. Shake vigorously until well chilled.
3. Strain into a jar filled a few ice cubes.
4. Top with beer. Garnish with a lemon wheel.