When you hear the term "mixed drinks," you probably assume the person is speaking about drinks mixed with hard liquor, such as vodka or rum. And indeed, most mixed drinks do fall into this category. However, you can also make mixed drinks with beer. If you're a beer drinker and are looking for a way to spruce up your favorite alcoholic beverage, then you might want to try following one of these four mixed drink recipes.

1. Simple Shandy

Shandy is a classic summer mixed drink that is basically a mixture of half beer and half lemonade. You can play around with the ratios a little and experiment with using different beers for different flavors. However, the following ingredients tend to make a pretty remarkable, refreshing shandy that's hard to beat.

• 6 ounces pilsner, chilled
• 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 4 ounces water, chilled

Mix together the simple syrup and the lemon juice. Add the water, stir, and then pour in the beer. Add ice if desired, and sip through a straw.

2. Grapefruit Refresher

Either you love grapefruit juice or you hate it, and if you love it, you will also love this mixed drink. If you'd prefer a less alcoholic version, you can leave out the citrus vodka and add a little more grapefruit juice instead. You'll need:

• 12 ounces of your favorite IPA
• 2 ounces grapefruit juice
• 1 shot citrus vodka

Combine the grapefruit juice and vodka in a tall pint glass. Stir gently. Then, slowly pour the beer down the side of the glass, stopping periodically to allow the bubbles to die down. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit if desired.

3. Chocolate Cherry Bomb

This drink recipe takes a different turn, creating a drink that's worthy of serving with dessert, or even enjoying as dessert. You'll need:

• 12 ounces of good-quality chocolate stout
• 1 ounce cherry juice
• 4 maraschino cherries
• chocolate syrup

Pour the chocolate stout into a glass. Add the cherry juice, and stir. Plop in your cherries, and drizzle a little chocolate syrup on top for good measure.

4. Trojan Horse

This is a classic beer drink that's popular in the U.K. It's traditionally made with Irish stout, but you can use any stout you like. You'll need:

• 8 ounces Irish stout
• 8 ounces cola

Pour the Irish stout into the glass, and wait about 5 minutes for the head to mostly dissipate. Slowly add the cola, pouring it down the side of the glass. Sip, and enjoy!

Hopefully these recipes will expand your palate and welcome you into the world of beer mixed drinks. Each one is unique, so there are plenty of options to find your favorite. Contact a local liquor store for more ideas.