When temperatures are rising, a thirst-quenching beer can help you beat the heat. Of course, the same can be said for a refreshing cocktail. Fortunately, you don't have to choose one or the other when beer cocktails are an option. Washington, D.C., restaurant and bar Roofers Union gets high marks for its beer program, so it's little surprise that some suds have bled into the cocktail list. As the drink's name would suggest, the Here Comes the Sun is bright in both color and flavor. Rye whiskey lends a spice and depth that play well with the homemade ginger syrup and fresh lemon juice. For the beer, Roofers Union chooses Port City Brewing Optimal Wit, a Belgian-style white ale from Alexandria, Virginia that is crisp, citrusy and peppery. If you can't find Optimal Wit, a different high-quality wheat beer will get the job done. The beer adds body and a refreshingly fizzy mouthfeel to the drink. And, unlike your typical shandy and many other beer cocktails, Here Comes the Sun uses the beer sparingly—just one ounce—so the other ingredients aren't lost in the background. 8 Beer Cocktails for Summer