Clara

A Clara is a straightforward two-ingredient pour. Equal parts draft beer and lemonade make for a light, sessionable drink that’s more refreshing than either component alone. It’s a low-effort, high-reward option for anyone looking to stretch a beer or for a light thirst quencher. Bartenders appreciate its simplicity, making it a quick serve during busy shifts.

Clara

4.56 from 29 votes

Calories: 24kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 1 Part(s) Draft Beer
▢ 1 Part(s) Lemonade
▢ 3 Ice Cubes

Instructions

▢
The beer is first. The 7-Up is second. The ice is last. but it is only needed if the other ingredients aren`t cold.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 24kcal (1%)Carbohydrates: 3g (1%)Sugar: 3g (3%)

Where it came from

The Clara is a simple beer cocktail, common in Spain, particularly during warmer months. It’s not a historical cocktail with a specific inventor or a grand narrative. Instead, it evolved naturally from the practice of mixing beer with non-alcoholic refreshers, a common approach in many cultures. It’s a casual drink, often enjoyed for its cooling properties rather than complex flavors, a staple in bars and chiringuitos across the Iberian peninsula.

This drink falls into the shandy family, a broad category of beer mixed with a soft drink or fruit juice. Relatives include the Radler, typically beer and lemon soda, or a traditional shandy with ginger beer. What sets the Clara apart is its specific use of lemonade, often a more tart, less effervescent version than soda, giving it a distinct, bright character that’s less sweet than many shandies.

You’d order a Clara in a sunny Spanish plaza, a casual pub, or at a backyard barbecue. It’s the kind of drink you serve when you want something light and easy, a step up from a plain beer but without the fuss of a full cocktail. It’s a perfect fit for a relaxed afternoon, or as a light option before a meal, rather than a serious cocktail bar offering.

What it tastes like

On the palate, the Clara offers a bright, zesty front from the lemonade, immediately cutting through the beer’s usual bitterness. The middle brings a balanced interaction, where the malt notes of the beer mingle with the citrus, creating a refreshing, slightly tart sweetness. The finish is clean and crisp, leaving a light, thirst-quenching sensation with minimal lingering bitterness or cloying sweetness.

Given it’s a 1:1 mix of draft beer and non-alcoholic lemonade, the Clara’s ABV is roughly half that of the beer used. If you’re pouring a 5% ABV lager, the Clara will land around 2.5% ABV. This makes it significantly lighter than a standard full-strength beer and far below most traditional cocktails, which typically start around 15-20% ABV for a single-serve. It’s a sessionable option, ideal for extended drinking without heavy intoxication.

The technique

Building a Clara is about as simple as it gets. Start by pouring your chosen draft beer into a chilled glass. Follow this with an equal measure of lemonade. The original recipe instructions specify “7-Up” as the second component, which is a common variant providing a sweeter, more carbonated profile than traditional lemonade. Add ice last, but only if your beer and lemonade aren’t already well-chilled, to avoid over-dilution.

The most important technique tip for a Clara is to ensure both components are properly chilled before mixing. If you’re relying on ice to cool warm ingredients, you’ll end up with a watery, diluted drink that lacks the crisp, refreshing punch it’s known for. Pre-chilling ensures the drink stays vibrant and full-flavored from the first sip to the last, without becoming an icy mess.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Draft Beer

Use: A light lager, pilsner, or even a wheat beer works best. Look for something clean and crisp like a local craft lager, Stella Artois, or a German pilsner. Avoid anything too hoppy or dark, as it will clash with the lemonade.
Skip: IPAs, stouts, or porters. Their strong, complex, or roasted flavors will overpower the delicate balance and create an unpleasant mix.
Why: The beer provides the alcoholic base and the familiar, refreshing character. Its lightness allows the lemonade’s citrus notes to shine without being masked.

Lemonade

Use: Freshly squeezed lemonade offers the best balance of tartness and sweetness. Alternatively, a good quality bottled lemonade that isn’t overly sweet works. If you prefer the instruction’s suggestion, a lemon-lime soda like 7-Up or Sprite provides a sweeter, more effervescent option.
Skip: Artificially flavored lemonades or those with excessive sugar. They make the drink cloying and lose the refreshing edge. Lemon juice concentrate without dilution is also a no-go.
Why: Lemonade provides the essential bright, tart, and sweet counterpoint to the beer, defining the Clara’s refreshing character. It’s the key to making it a thirst-quencher.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Clara con Gaseosa

A lighter twist.: Replace some or all of the lemonade with a Spanish lemon-flavored soda, often less sweet than American lemonades, for an even lighter, more carbonated drink.

Radler

German beer and lemon soda.: A close cousin, the Radler typically uses a specific lemon soda or sparkling lemonade, often with a lighter lager, creating a very similar, equally refreshing profile.

Shandy

The broad beer cocktail.: While a Clara is a type of shandy, a general shandy can incorporate various non-alcoholic mixers like ginger beer, ginger ale, or other fruit sodas with beer.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Draft Beer?

Use any light-bodied bottled lager or pilsner. The carbonation might be slightly different, but the flavor profile will be similar.

No Lemonade?

A lemon-lime soda like 7-Up or Sprite is a common and acceptable substitute, as even some Clara recipes specifically call for it. It will result in a sweeter, more effervescent drink.

No Ice Cubes?

Ensure both your beer and lemonade are thoroughly chilled. The drink will still be good, but it won’t stay cold as long.

No Pint Glass?

Any tall glass will do. A standard tumbler or a large wine glass can serve the purpose adequately for this casual drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a Clara?

A Clara is a simple two-ingredient drink made with equal parts draft beer and lemonade. Note that some recipes, including the one provided, specify 7-Up as the mixer.

Is a Clara alcoholic?

Yes, a Clara is alcoholic. It contains beer, so its alcohol content is roughly half that of the beer used, as it’s diluted 1:1 with non-alcoholic lemonade or soda.

What kind of beer is best for a Clara?

A light lager, pilsner, or a wheat beer works best. Choose something clean, crisp, and not too bitter or heavy, to allow the lemonade or soda to balance it.

Is a Clara the same as a Radler?

They are very similar and often used interchangeably. A Clara specifically refers to beer and lemonade (or lemon soda), while a Radler typically uses beer and lemon soda, but the concept is nearly identical.

Why is it called a Clara?

“Clara” is Spanish for “clear,” which might refer to the light color of the drink or its refreshing, straightforward nature. It’s a common term in Spain for this specific beer mix.

Can I make a Clara with craft beer?

Absolutely, but choose your craft beer wisely. A light, crisp craft lager or a subtle wheat beer will work well. Avoid anything with strong hop profiles or dark, roasted malts.

What’s the best way to serve a Clara?

Serve it well-chilled in a tall glass, ideally a pint glass or a large tumbler. Adding ice is optional if the ingredients are cold, but it helps keep it refreshing.

Is 7-Up an acceptable substitute for lemonade in a Clara?

Yes, 7-Up or other lemon-lime sodas are very common substitutes, particularly in Spain where “Clara con limón” often implies a lemon soda. It will make the drink sweeter and more carbonated.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read