An epicurean adventure to: South Africa
This delicious drink has to be the most refreshing of South African "shandies"!
Rock shandy is a firm pool-side favourite or 'braai' accompaniment for the people of the vibrant Rainbow Nation.
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This virtually non-alcoholic soda drink (mocktail) only requires three ingredients; lemonade, soda water and Angostura bitters.
If you want an 'ombre' effect, don't stir the drink too much once you've added the bitters.
Add a slice of lemon or a fancy lemon peel twisty to this glass and you're ready to go!
South Africa - Fast facts
| Location | Southernmost tip of the African continent. It is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Lesotho. |
| Language | South Africa has 11 official languages, including English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Tswana, Pedi, Venda, Tsonga, Swati, and Ndebele. English is widely spoken and is the language of business, while Zulu and Xhosa are the most commonly spoken African languages. |
| Population | Circa 60.2 million |
| Trivia | South Africa is home to the highest commercial bungee jump in the world, located at the Bloukrans Bridge, with a height of 216 meters (709 feet). |
What's to love about a Rock Shandy
- Quick and easy to make, only three ingredients.
- A great way to beat the heat and keep you cool on a hot day in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Can be dressed up with various decorations.
- Scalable as long as you keep to equal measures of lemonade and soda water. Adjust the amount of bitters to your liking.
Key ingredients
- Lemonade - You can also use sugar-free lemonade for a low-calorie or diabetic version.
- Soda water
- Aromatic bitters - The essential ingredient of a Rock Shandy.
We use Angostura bitters, which can typically be found in the alcohol or spirits section of a supermarket or liquor store, often near the cocktail mixers or speciality ingredients.
It's a small bottle with a large, apothecary-style, oversized label.
- Lots of ice (or to taste).
- A lemon slice or lemon peel twisty.
Step-by-step instructions
- Add your preferred amount of ice to the glass.
- Fill half the glass with soda water.
- Fill the rest of the glass up with lemonade.
- Add a few dashes of bitters to taste - We enjoy about 5-10 splashes per drink.
- Give the Rock Shandy a quick stir to distribute the bitters.
- Decorate the glass to finish off your perfect drink - Enjoy!
How to make a lemon peel twisty
- Use a standard kitchen peeler to peel a longish ribbon of lemon peel. Try to go around the widest circumference of the lemon without breaking your 'string'.
- Lay the string flat onto a cutting board and slice a thin strip of peel along the entire length of the ribbon. You can make this as thick or thin as you wish.
- Twist the strip around your finger to make a 'spring'.
- Hook the twisty on the side of a glass.
Make it alcoholic
Simply add a shot of vodka. Vodka won't interfere much with the flavour profile of the drink.
FAQ
Angostura bitters, made by The House of Angostura, contain 44.7% alcohol. If you add 5ml of bitters to 250ml of zero alcohol liquid (soda and lemonade) it will make the total alcohol percentage of the drink 0.87647059%.
This is a very low alcohol percentage and it's virtually impossible to make you drunk. However, it's still not suitable for kids and teetotallers. Pregnant women should make their own call.
As a comparison, a standard beer contains between 3-4% alcohol.
Citrusy with just a hint of bitterness, it doesn't taste bitter per se, but the subtle bitterness plays a quiet role in the background, completing the drink.
You might also catch a faint whiff of herbs from the dash of Angostura bitters.
This combination of lemonade, soda water and bitters is very much a South African invention.
You can definitely use zero-sugar lemonade.
Angostura bitters lists sugar in its ingredients, but it doesn't specify the amount. However, it's negligible once mixed with soda and lemonade.
For a really in-depth analysis, you can read this article by Boston Apothecary on deconstructing Angostura bitters.
Yes, there are some bitters out there that contain zero alcohol, like the brand 'All the Bitter' bitters.
There are some unusual variations out there, such as using ginger ale, ginger beer or Fanta.
While these might still taste nice, in our humble opinion, they can't be called a Rock Shandy. They will have a completely different flavour profile.
No, it's not the same thing.
These two are easily confused due to the names being so similar.
Club Rock Shandy is a soft drink popular in Ireland. You can buy it in cans or bottles.
Rock Shandy is a hand-mixed soda drink native to South Africa.
For other South African recipes, why not try this easy South African Bobotie with basmati yellow rice, or a Bunny chow!
Alternatively, for more refreshing drinks, try this Aussie equivalent to Rock shandy, lemon lime and bitters, or this strawberry lassi if you fancy something creamier.
More summertime recipes
Recipe
Rock shandy
Ingredients
- Ice - Enough to fill the glass ½ - ¼ of the way
- 125 millilitre Lemonade
- 125 millilitre soda water
- 5-10 dashes Angostura bitters - or other bitter of your choice
- 1 slice lemon - or a lemon peel twisty for decoration
Instructions
- Add your preferred amount of ice to the glass
- Add the equal measures of lemonade and soda water. Give it a quick stir
- Add the bitters
- Decorate the glass with a lemon slice or lemon peel twisty
**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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