Red Diesel

Pro tips

• Chill all components beforehand; a warm drink loses carbonation and dilutes quickly from melting ice.
• Pour the crème de cassis last over ice so it sinks and creates the drink's signature red hue rather than mixing throughout.
• Use a 1:1:0.5 ratio of cider-to-beer-to-liqueur as a starting point, then adjust cassis to taste—more liqueur intensifies sweetness and color.

Substitutions

• Apple cider → perry (pear cider) for drier, more floral notes
• Crème de cassis → Chambord for berry-forward profile
• Cold beer → hard cider for a fully cider-based variation

What type of beer works best in a Red Diesel?

Use a light, crisp lager or pale ale. Avoid heavily hopped or dark beers that overpower the delicate cider-cassis balance.

Can I make a Red Diesel ahead of time?

Mix individual drinks just before serving. Pre-mixing causes carbonation loss and flavor degradation within minutes.

What's the difference between Red Diesel and a Shandy?

A Shandy uses only beer and lemonade or ginger beer. Red Diesel swaps lemonade for apple cider and adds crème de cassis for color and fruity depth.

Can I substitute the crème de cassis?

Chambord (raspberry liqueur) works as a substitute, though it shifts flavor toward berry rather than currant. Avoid fruit juices—they lack the liqueur's body.