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Summer Radler and Spicy Chips

by:
July 26, 2010
4
4 Ratings
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

If you've never had a German radler, which resembles a British shandy -- beer and lemon soda -- don't let the summer pass without drinking one. And while you're at it, why not make the world's easiest bar snack? Seasoned potato chips. Buy chips. Invade your spice rack. Mix. (The urban equivalent of a recipe from White Trash Cooking.) Then eat a few chips and drink your radler, and you'll be happy you made both. —Amanda Hesser

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Ingredients
  • For each radler
  • 4 ounces chilled wheat beer
  • 4 ounces chilled lemon soda (or half lemonade, half club soda)
  • Lemon wedge
  • For the Spicy Chips
  • 9 ounces lightly salted potato chips (I like Kettle Brand)
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground chipotle
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 3/4 teaspoon coarse kosher or sea salt
Directions
  1. To make the radler, combine the beer and lemon soda in a chilled pilsner glass. Squeeze the lemon wedge into the radler, then drop it in.
  2. To make the chips, put the chips in a bowl, add the spices and salt and toss with your hands to mix, until the chips are lightly coated with the spices.
  3. Head out to your patio, deck, or stoop and enjoy the early evening.
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Recipe by: Amanda Hesser

Before starting Food52 with Merrill, I was a food writer and editor at the New York Times. I've written several books, including "Cooking for Mr. Latte" and "The Essential New York Times Cookbook." I played myself in "Julie & Julia" -- hope you didn't blink, or you may have missed the scene! I live in Brooklyn with my husband, Tad, and twins, Walker and Addison.

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11 Reviews

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gwimper June 7, 2022
Radlers mean Pils and Lemon soda to me, and the Russen is Hefeweizen and lemon Soda as someone said above. I did notice you only get a PilsI love a Banana Hefeweizen, Sauer Kirsch Hefeweisen and sometimes a Kiba (Sour Cherry and Banana mixed). I miss Spezi too, but never had it mixed with beer. Now I am thirsty. :) The chips sounds delicious.
Amanda H. June 9, 2022
Thanks for the clarification!
gwimper June 26, 2013
In southern Germany a Radler is a pils and lemonade (fizzy) and the Russen a Hefeweizen and Lemonade, but it seems moving up north you only get Radler...
BavarianCook May 27, 2012
I'm from Germany and yes, the Radler is very popular, especially in the summertime. Same with "Cola-Bier" as mentioned above, but then another great beer mix-drink is the "Banana-Weizen". It's a wheat beer, such as Hefeweizen, with banana juice. Yes, it sounds odd, but it tastes oh so good!
zieker May 29, 2012
OK, first off, do you have a good recipe for Goulasch soup (Bavarian style - not the northern, potato and paprika laden version, but the thick, brown, almost gravy-like version). :-) I've been having withdrawals for that soup with some good crusty bread for YEARS!! Knorr used to put out a package mix that was close, but I can't find it anywhere anymore. — Please say you have one! LOL

The Banana-Weizen sounds wonderful! Pauliner Hefeweizen already has that lovely banana aroma and overtone, so I bet it'd be great this way! If I can find banana juice this might become my new summer drink. YUM! Thanks!
zieker October 28, 2011
I lived in Germany for 4 years while growing up. Before we were allowed to drink beer, my parents would occasionally order us a Radlermass to share. When I got to college, my West Texas friends thought I was nuts for squeezing lemons into my beer, since that was the closet I could get one (this was some time ago). I'll still get a hankering for one, so it's great that I can find lots of good, dry lagers and not-too-sweet, sparkling lemon sodas (Italian soda actually works well, but European Fanta is still the best).

Another Bavarian treat: Spatzi. 1/2 Cola + 1/2 Lemon Soda.
Amanda H. October 28, 2011
I've never had the Spatzi -- I always put lemon in my cola but never lemon soda. Will try it!
MrsWheelbarrow May 29, 2011
It has never occurred to me to spice the chips myself. And That's why I love this community. Immediately going to do this. And make a Radler. Repeat.
thirschfeld May 25, 2011
Think I am actually going to make a Radler your way this weekend instead of my usual PBR with a lemon cheat.
Sagegreen July 27, 2010
I love these! You can feel a tad less guilty about eating chips when they have some good herbal spice to them.
dymnyno July 26, 2010
If you warm the chips in the oven for a few minutes the spices will adhere to the chips better.