Recipes

Shaky Pete's Ginger Brew

Gin, ginger and beer combine to create one of the most refreshing drinks of all time.

Shaky Pete’s Ginger Brew is a frosty, frothy beer cocktail that is almost impossible not to drink without letting out big, satisfied ‘aaaahs’ between gulps. Described by the Hawksmoor team (it’s place of birth) as a ‘turbo-shandy for the discerning drinker,’ this cocktail is boozy enough to give you a buzz, but tall enough to refresh.

This is one for the end of a long hot summer’s day. Start practising that lip-smacking, foam-moustached ‘aaaaah’ of satisfaction right away…

1 serving
  • 40 ml
  • 40 ml Ginger Syrup
  • 40 ml Fresh lemon juice
  • 100 ml London Pride Beer
  1. Whizz up the ginger syrup, lemon juice, gin and half a cup of ice in a blender.
  2. Strain through a sieve into a frozen glass and top up with London Pride.

If you don’t have a blender, place the ginger syrup, lemon juice and gin in a cocktail shaker with ice and get you shake on. Harder work but just as tasty!

Shakey Pete's Ginger Brew. Gin & Beer Cocktail
Shakey Pete's Ginger Brew. Gin & Beer Cocktail

An abridged, inebriated history

Shaky Pete’s Ginger Brew was conceived by its namesake, Pete Jeary, for a Beefeater Cocktail competition in 2008 (the competition called for a London-inspired cocktail). It wasn’t until 2012 though – during Jeary’s time at Hawksmoor – that the drink took off, quickly becoming its best selling cocktail.

While Beefeater and London Pride may need no introduction for a London-themed cocktail, the other elements may seem a little lost. Jeary explained that he took his inspiration from a visit to former brew house Hay’s Wharf, which was a depository for exotic imports like ginger and lemon.

The ginger syrup brings a lively sweetness to the drink and complements the beer greatly. The drink is lighter than you’d expect, and while Jeary calls it a man’s cocktail, this is one to be enjoyed by all.

Jeary himself suggests the drink as a hangover cure and while it is indeed refreshing enough to be so, it is delicious enough to warrant your full, alert attention. We like using Hernö Navy Strength Gin in there as the gin’s lemony and higher-proof flavours work well against the strong ginger backdrop. A top tip we’ve learned along our many “research” related attempts at making this concoction – the key to this cocktail is in perfecting the ginger syrup. If you have a juicer, make your own from fresh (1 part ginger juice to 1 part sugar), and tweak it to suit your preference.

We’ve taken the recipe from the book Hawksmoor At Home, which also deserves a special mention because other than being an amazing read with beautiful photography – all proceeds from its sale go to Action Against Hunger.

Spirits Kiosk
Tanqueray No. TEN
Tanqueray No. TEN
70cl47.3%GB
£31.95
Sipsmith London Dry Gin
Sipsmith London Dry Gin
70cl41.6%GB
£29.45