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.
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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.
Why this Rock Shandy works
- Only 3 main ingredients - lemonade, soda water and aromatic bitters.
- Ready in 2 minutes - build it straight in the glass over ice.
- Balanced, not too sweet - soda water lightens the lemonade and bitters add depth.
- Easy to scale - use equal parts lemonade and soda water, then add bitters to taste.
- Braai and summer friendly - refreshing enough for hot days, poolside drinks and casual entertaining.
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.
How to make a jug of Rock Shandy
Use equal parts lemonade and soda water, then add bitters to taste.
For a 1-litre jug, use:
- 500ml lemonade
- 500ml soda water
- 20-30 dashes Angostura bitters, or to taste
- plenty of ice
- lemon slices
Stir gently and serve straight away so it stays fizzy.
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, strawberry lassi, coconut shake or Milo Dinosaur.
Recipe
Rock Shandy Recipe
Ingredients
- Ice - Enough to fill the glass ½ - ¼ of the way
- 125 millilitre (½ cup) fizzy lemonade
- 125 millilitre (½ cup) soda water
- 5-10 dashes Angostura bitters - or other bitters of your choice
- 1 slice lemon
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour in equal parts soda water and lemonade.
- Add 5-10 dashes of Angostura bitters, or adjust to taste.
- Stir gently to combine. For a layered ombré effect, stir less after adding the bitters.
- Garnish with a lemon slice, wedge or peel twist and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use equal parts lemonade and soda water, then adjust the bitters to taste.
- For a fully alcohol-free Rock Shandy, use alcohol-free bitters. Traditional Angostura bitters contain alcohol, but only trace amounts remain in the finished drink when using a few dashes.
- Make just before serving so the drink stays fizzy.
A note on nutrition:
Nutrition will vary depending on the lemonade used. Sugar-free lemonade will reduce the calories and sugar significantly.
**Nutritional data disclaimer**
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is calculated by a third party and we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We try our best to give you the most accurate information, but we do not take responsibility for errors that may be present. Also, the nutritional value of the recipe may change depending on the exact brands and products used. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalised advice on your dietary needs.
Nutrition
For food safety advice, including guidance on food allergies
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