Spring has finally arrived, taunting us with its warm sunshine and thoughts of the beach and other outdoor adventures. Along with the much anticipated change in weather, the changing of the seasons has also brought with it a new and fresh focus on cocktail recipe development.

When it comes to refreshing cocktails, I’m a huge fan of the mojito — a refreshingly effervescent mint and rum-based cocktail. Any cocktail that uses soda water, is an excellent candidate for a beer cocktail, in my book. Beer provides the needed carbonation while imparting interesting flavors into the drink. Although the original mojito recipe is tasty on it’s own, it also makes a great base for variations. I love adding fruit, berries work especially well with mint, or even infusing simple syrups for a fun twist.

This particular recipe was inspired by Maui Brewing’s Bikini Blonde Lager — a Helles-style lager brewed with floral hops and Pilsner and Munich malts. Refreshingly crisp, the Bikini Blonde Lager boasts light biscuit flavors, moderately low noble hop bitterness, and a clean, dry finish. It’s rather neutral flavor profile makes it an excellent canvas for a light and fruity beer cocktail.

Strawberries, mint, agave nectar, rum and beer come together to make this cocktail a perfect sipper for the beach, backyard BBQ’s, or even on those cold, rainy nights spent dreaming of the sunshine to come.
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