“Beer, if drunk in moderation, softens the temper, cheers the spirit and promotes health.” – Thomas Jefferson

The "Shandoni"

Packing Puzzle Potion - a cocktail puzzle challenge

With five pieces, this puzzle has an infinite number solutions (you might think it should be 120, but you would be forgetting the unlimited combination of proportions), yet there are four distinct challenges to attempt depending on your mood and inclination.

First, assemble your pieces as best you can. It's fine if you don't have all of these, or can't be bothered. You are also ALLOWED to use external tools (perish the thought). This puzzle is meant for everyone.

The possibilities are endless, but the choice is clear

Pieces:

Gin

Sweet vermouth

Campari

Lemonade

Beer of choice

Challenge 1: "The No Fuss"

Use any of the pieces as is, combine any two, or introduce an external tool. Examples: Have a beer! Try an Americano (Campari and vermouth). A Campari and soda is nice. And of course, a gin and tonic. There's also lemonade if you don't drink or want alcohol.

Challenge 2: "The Brit"

Combine lemonade and beer of choice approximately 50:50 for a "Shandy". The classic British "pub water" from 1850 goes down easy and is typically made with pilsner, although I love it with a hoppy IPA.

Challenge 3: "The Snob"

Here's a classic Negroni, with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari. Invented in Florence over 100 years ago, it's an acquired taste but once you've acquired it, there's no going back. For the sophisticated palate. OK, let's be honest, the pretentious crowd.

Challenge 4: "The Shandoni"

The ultimate goal is to create a Shandoni, a delicious portmanteau of shandy and negroni. Combine the negroni and the shandy in the following proportions: 1/2 oz (15ml) each gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, then top with 50:50 beer and lemonade.

Beer Cheer