Spicy, Sweet & Smoky: The Ultimate Grilled Jalapeño Orange Shandy for Summer Refreshment
Beat the heat with a unique twist! A Grilled Jalapeño Orange Shandy is a spicy, subtly sweet, and wonderfully beer-focused drink designed to deliver unparalleled refreshment on the longest, hottest summer days. The masterful blend of charred jalapeños and oranges in the homemade lemonade base creates a dynamic flavor profile that pairs effortlessly with a crisp pale ale. It’s a truly invigorating beverage with just the right amount of smoky heat to awaken your taste buds and make every sip an adventure.
Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Traeger. As always, all opinions expressed are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Cake ‘n Knife!
When you think of grilling, meats, vegetables, and perhaps even pizza might come to mind. But have you ever considered the incredible transformation that fruits and even peppers undergo when kissed by the flames of the grill? Grilling isn’t just for savory dishes, my friends; it’s a culinary technique that unlocks a whole new dimension of flavor, especially for sweet and spicy ingredients.
If you haven’t yet ventured into the delicious world of grilling fruit, now is the perfect time to fire up your trusted grill and explore this exciting avenue. While grilled fruits often make delightful additions to a variety of desserts – think grilled peaches with ice cream or caramelized pineapple rings – today, we’re taking a truly innovative approach. We’re about to introduce you to an entirely fresh and invigorating way to enjoy these flame-enhanced ingredients, far beyond the confines of a dessert plate.
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What’s this groundbreaking method, you ask? It’s simple: we’re incorporating grilled ingredients into a truly fantastic cocktail. Specifically, a homemade shandy that perfectly balances the smoky char of grilled jalapeños and oranges with refreshing lemonade and a light, crisp pale ale. This isn’t just any summer drink; it’s an experience that tantalizes your palate with complex layers of flavor you won’t find anywhere else.
Grilling Made Effortless: My Traeger Revelation
For many years, my relationship with grilling was, shall we say, complicated. When I owned a traditional charcoal grill, the sheer effort involved in getting it fired up and to the right temperature often deterred me. Every time I contemplated grilling, a mental tug-of-war would ensue: how long would it take to achieve that perfect heat, versus how intensely I craved the unique taste of food fresh off the grates? My patience, regrettably, is not my strongest virtue, leading to the grill remaining unused for the majority of the time, collecting dust and potential rather than cooking delicious meals.
However, everything changed the moment Traeger pellet grills entered my life. It was a complete game-changer. Suddenly, grilling transformed from a tedious chore into an absolute joy. I now find myself grilling at least four to five times a week, and a significant reason for this enthusiasm is how incredibly EASY Traeger grills are to operate and master. They combine the convenience of firing up a propane grill with the unparalleled flavor infusion that only comes from real wood pellets. These small but mighty pellets carry an array of flavors, from hickory and pecan to apple and cherry, each imparting a distinct, smoky character to your food.
Currently, I proudly use their Traeger Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill, and I can honestly say it’s a dream to operate. But the true magic of Traeger’s pellet technology extends across all their models. Whether you opt for a entry-level option or a top-tier model, you’ll experience the same consistent heat, effortless temperature control, and incredible wood-fired flavor. You’ll find yourself reaching for your grill every single week, unable to resist the allure of perfectly cooked, smoky food and drinks.
One of the aspects I particularly adore about using this “magical” grill during the warmer months is that I don’t have to heat up my entire house by cooking on the stove or in the oven. That inevitably raises the indoor temperature, making the already hot days even more uncomfortable. With a Traeger, all the cooking and heat stay outdoors, allowing for a cooler, more enjoyable home environment.
Unlocking New Flavors: Grilled Ingredients in Cocktails
This desire to keep my kitchen cool, coupled with the incredible flavor profile a Traeger imparts, is precisely why I’ve wholeheartedly embraced experimenting with making cocktails using grilled ingredients. There’s an undeniable allure to that charred, subtly smoky flavor that emanates from a Traeger grill. It deeply permeates whatever you’re grilling, but in a remarkably balanced way—never overpowering, always enhancing. It’s just enough to impart the essence of the wood pellets, fundamentally elevating and enriching the natural flavors already present in the ingredients you’re cooking. This sophisticated smoky note adds a layer of complexity that raw ingredients simply cannot achieve.
This transformative process is vividly evident with the orange slices and jalapeño halves you’ll grill for this recipe. Grilling the oranges brings out their natural sweetness and a slight caramelization, while the jalapeños develop a mellowed heat and a beautiful smoky depth that’s far more nuanced than raw spice. These grilled elements are then muddled to create the star of our shandy: a homemade grilled jalapeño orange lemonade. This lemonade is a masterful blend of tart, spicy, and subtly sweet notes. When it’s finally combined with a simple, refreshing pale ale, the resulting drink performs an exquisite dance across your taste buds, offering a flavorful ride unlike any other. It’s a perfect harmony of bold and delicate flavors, all underpinned by that delightful whisper of smoke.
The Perfect Summer Sip: Why This Shandy Stands Out
The concept of a shandy – a delightful mix of beer and lemonade – is a time-honored tradition for keeping cool. It’s typically light, effervescent, and incredibly refreshing. However, our Grilled Jalapeño Orange Shandy takes this classic to an entirely new level. By introducing the unique flavors of grilled fruit and pepper, we transform a simple thirst-quencher into a gourmet beverage that still retains its easy-drinking charm. The pale ale chosen for this shandy offers a clean, crisp backdrop, allowing the intricate notes of the homemade lemonade to truly shine without being overwhelmed. The malty notes of the beer complement the fruitiness, while its slight bitterness provides a wonderful counterpoint to the lemonade’s sweetness and spice.
This shandy isn’t just a drink; it’s an invitation to savor the flavors of summer in a fresh and exciting way. Imagine hosting a backyard barbecue, the smell of sizzling food wafting through the air, and offering your guests a glass of this vibrant, golden shandy. It’s the perfect companion to grilled chicken, pulled pork sliders, or even a fresh summer salad. The spicy kick cuts through richness, the sweetness harmonizes with savory elements, and the overall refreshment is simply unparalleled. It’s also incredibly versatile – if you prefer a less spicy drink, you can remove the seeds from the jalapeño before grilling. Or, for an extra fiery kick, leave them in!
table of contents
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Grilled Jalapeno Orange Shandy
ingredients
- 1 jalapeño pepper cut in half
- 3 oranges sliced
- Traeger Wood Pellets I like to use Hickory or Pecan for this particular recipe
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups homemade shishito orange lemonade
- 2 cups pale ale
instructions
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Heat Traeger grill to high. Once the temperature reads at least 400 degrees, add orange slices and jalapeño halves to the grill.
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Grill for approximately 5 minutes, flipping both pepper halves and orange slices halfway through until they have charred grill marks and are softened.
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In a large pitcher, muddle together peppers, orange slices, honey and lemon juice (be sure to reserve 4 grilled orange slices for garnish). Add water and stir to combine.
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Cool lemonade completely in the refrigerator.
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When ready to serve, strain lemonade into another pitcher through a fine mesh sieve.
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Fill 4 tall glasses with ice.
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Fill each glass halfway full with the grilled jalapeño orange lemonade.
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Top with pale ale until the glasses are full. Lightly stir to combine.
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Garnish each glass with jalapeño and a grilled orange slice. Serve immediately.