Rock Shandy Recipe

Rock shandy is a refreshing South African drink made with equal parts lemonade and soda water, finished with a few dashes of Angostura bitters. It’s citrusy, lightly bitter, fizzy and perfect for hot days, braais and easy summer entertaining.

It’s often treated as a non-alcoholic or very low-alcohol drink, although traditional Angostura bitters do contain alcohol. The amount used leaves only trace alcohol in the finished drink, but I’ve included notes below if you need a fully alcohol-free version.

Recipe updated 01 June 2026: Updated with alcohol-free notes, jug measurements, variations and troubleshooting.

What is a Rock Shandy?

In South Africa, a Rock Shandy is usually made fresh in a glass with lemonade, soda water, Angostura bitters, ice and lemon. You’ll often find it on restaurant menus, especially as a refreshing drink for hot days, lunches and braais.

This is different from Club Rock Shandy, the Irish bottled soft drink. This recipe is for the South African hand-mixed version.

Key ingredients

You’ll find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Lemonade

For a South African-style Rock Shandy, use fizzy clear lemonade, such as Sprite, 7UP or Schweppes-style lemonade.

In the US, don’t use still homemade lemonade here. You want a clear lemon-lime soda or sparkling lemonade-style drink.

You can use sugar-free lemonade if you prefer a lighter version.

Soda water

Soda water lightens the lemonade and stops the drink from being too sweet. Use plain soda water for the classic Rock Shandy taste.

Aromatic bitters

Angostura bitters are the classic choice and give Rock Shandy its signature colour and lightly bitter, herbal flavour. Traditional bitters contain alcohol, but only a few dashes are used in the drink.

If you need the drink to be completely alcohol-free, use alcohol-free bitters.

Ice and lemon

Serve Rock Shandy very cold, with plenty of ice. A lemon slice, wedge or peel twist makes it look finished without much effort.

How to make a Rock Shandy

1. Fill a tall glass with ice.

2. Pour in equal parts soda water and lemonade.

3. Add 5–10 dashes of Angostura bitters, or adjust to taste.

4. Stir gently to combine. For a layered ombré effect, stir less after adding the bitters.

5. Garnish with a lemon slice, wedge or peel twist and serve immediately.

How to make a lemon twist

1. Use a vegetable peeler to remove a long strip of lemon peel, avoiding as much white pith as possible.

2. Slice the peel into a thin strip.

3. Twist it around your finger, a straw or the handle of a spoon to shape it.

4. Hook it over the side of the glass.

Is Rock Shandy non-alcoholic?

Rock Shandy is often treated as a non-alcoholic drink because it only uses a few dashes of bitters. Traditional Angostura bitters do contain alcohol, but the amount used in one glass leaves only trace amounts in the finished drink.

That said, it is not completely alcohol-free. If you need a truly alcohol-free Rock Shandy, use alcohol-free bitters.

Variations

• Sugar-free Rock Shandy – Use sugar-free lemonade.
• Ginger Rock Shandy – Replace some or all of the soda water with ginger ale or ginger beer.
• Less sweet – Use more soda water and less lemonade.
• More bitter – Add extra dashes of bitters.
• Alcohol-free – Use alcohol-free bitters.
• Cocktail version – Add a shot of vodka, gin or white rum. Vodka keeps the flavour closest to the original, while gin adds a more botanical note.

Troubleshooting Rock Shandy

My Rock Shandy tastes too sweet

Add more soda water or extra ice to lighten it.

My Rock Shandy tastes too bitter

Add more lemonade or use fewer dashes of bitters next time.

The drink went flat

Make it just before serving and use chilled fizzy lemonade and soda water.

The bitters sank to the bottom

Give it a gentle stir. If you want an ombré effect, stir less; if you want an even flavour, stir properly.

It doesn’t taste like the South African version

Make sure you’re using fizzy clear lemonade, soda water and aromatic bitters, not still lemonade.

More South African recipes to serve with Rock Shandy

Rock Shandy is perfect with South African favourites like bunny chow, bobotie, beef trinchado or South African curry noodle salad. It’s also lovely with braai sides like South African potato salad and curry rice salad.

More refreshing drinks

For more easy drinks, try my lemon lime bitters, coconut shake or Milo Dinosaur.