Just because you have responsible health and fitness goals doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a good buzz! There are plenty of cocktails and beers you can order without feeling any guilt about ruining your diet! Continue below for some top recommended, low calorie and low carb bar drinks, plus where to get the best drink specials in Downtown Indy this weekend!
Low Calorie Cocktails For Any Occasion
Here are some common bar drinks that run in a very low calorie range. Keep in mind that these caloric values can differ slightly depending on brand, flavor, mixer, garnishes, and more.
Cocktails (1.5 Ounces)
Rum and Diet – 97 Calories
Vodka and Soda w/Lime – 96 Calories
Wine Spritzer – 100 to 125 Calories
Classic Martini – 128 Calories
Wine (5 Ounces)
Champagne or Prosecco – 96 Calories
Rosé – 130 Calories
White Wine – 127 Calories
Red Wine – 125 Calories
Riesling – 128 Calories
Beer
White Claw – 100 Calories
Light Beer – 90 to 105 Calories
Corona Light – 99 Calories
Miller Lite – 96 Calories
Michelob ULTRA – 95 Calories
Yuengling Light Lager – 99 Calories
Tonic Water Versus Soda Water
Tonic water is a type of soda water, but it contains sugar; although just a smidge, it makes a big difference in taste. Tonic water can contain up to 30 grams of sugar in a 12 ounce serving. Seltzer water is simply plain soda water. Club soda, on the other hand, is soda water that contains a bit of sodium, usually salt, and sometimes a few other additives. But it does not contain any sugar.
Infusing vodka is really not complicated. Anyone can do it, and the best part is, you can customize the flavors any way you like. To get started, all you need is 750 ml of vodka (commonly referred to as a “fifth”, this equals out to just over 3 cups), your choice of produce, a strainer, and some mason jars. You can use alternative containers is you like, just be sure they have a quality seal to properly preserve your liquor.
The main objective in making your own flavored vodkas is achieving a quality taste that works well in cocktails and on its own. Fortunately, this doesn’t take months of waiting. As it’s the start of the week, you can begin now and have a quality batch ready by this weekend!
Continue reading to learn what you need to know about making infused vodka, how to do it, and where to get the best vodka cocktail specials in Downtown Indianapolis today!
Make Your Very Own Infused Vodka
Liquor Options
It is recommended to use 80 proof vodka. Anything higher than 80 proof will have a stronger burn and bite to it, which is not always preferable for cocktails. However, if you are making your own liqueur, 100 proof vodka is better since it will be balanced with a simple syrup or sugar. If you only have 100 proof vodka, just mix it with a little water to balance it out. You can use any vodka brand you like, just try to aim for a medium shelf product for the best results.
Flavor Options
You can use fruit, vegetables, herbs, and spices to infuse vodka. The possibilities are infinite, and are only limited by your imagination and your personal taste! Virtually all fruits work well, and the riper the better. Berries work very well, but people also love peaches, pears, and even figs. Popular vegetable choices include cucumber, carrot, and even zucchini. The selection of herbs and spices are endless, but common choices include rosemary, thyme, mint, cilantro, dill, chili powder, red pepper, and specialty infused oils.
Single-Fruit Batches are Great for Beginners
If you are just started out, it is a good approach to begin with a single-fruit infused vodka. Not only do fruits have more sugar which makes them infuse quicker, they are generally more predictable in taste, making them a fail-safe first time experiment. Single fruit vodkas also mix and blend better in cocktails because they are not too complex in flavor.
Work Your Way Up to Complex Vodka Infusions
If you are interested in making something more complex, start with a single-fruit batch, taste it, and then build on more flavors by adding more ingredients. You can be as creative as you like! Think about certain cultures or regions, or perhaps certain sensations you would like your vodka to produce. If you like a drink that tingles, consider adding some cayenne. If you want something that makes your lips purse, consider a more citric-flavor. If you like a drink that offer health incentives, perhaps Matcha or Kombucha is your thing!
Here’s a Guide to Making Infused Vodka:
The General Rule of Thumb = 2 Cups of Chopped Fruit to Every 3 Cups of Vodka
➀ Chop your fruit up into medium chunks.
➁ Transfer your fruit into clean, dry mason jars, or your container of choice.
➂ Pour your vodka over the fruit and tightly seal your container. Be sure the fruit is entirely covered with liquor or else it might spoil during the infusing process.
➃ Allow the vodka to sit for 3 to 7 days, depending on how much you want the flavor infused.
➄ Taste-test your concoction after a few days to monitor the progress of the flavor.
➅ Once your vodka has reached your preferred flavor, strain it into a clean, fresh container and seal tightly.
Now you have your own flavored vodka! Your vodka is safe to drink because the liquor prevents mold and bacteria growth during the fermentation process. After you strain it, it stays good for years so long as you seal it and store it properly.
Last year, we discussed the various suggested health and wellness benefits of vodka, including antiseptics, anesthetics, beauty aids, and treatment for minor ailments like bad breath, dandruff, headaches, toothaches, stress, and much more. Well as it turns out, vodka is more than a possible therapeutic and medicinal remedy, it is also an excellent cleaning agent!
That’s right; you can clean and sterilize glass, countertops, fixtures, and more using this simple, easily-accessible, store-bought cocktail base to keep your home sparkling clean. Continue reading to learn how!
What Makes Vodka a Cleaner?
Vodka has a high alcohol content, usually between 30 and 40%
by volume. This high alcohol content is what makes it an effective cleaning agent.
Vodka can be used to clean all kinds of surfaces, such as countertops, plumbing
and art fixtures, windows, floors, mirrors, and even clothing. It effectively
eliminates dirt, grime, mold, mildew, adhesives, grease, and more.
Selecting a Vodka Brand
When it comes to choosing a vodka to clean your house with, you
don’t require a fancy brand. Avoid expensive options, and instead, stick with a
basic, generic brand of vodka. The quality of the liquor will not have any
influence on its cleaning and sterilization power, so reserve the top shelf stuff
for yourself and your guests! On the other hand, organic vodka comes highly
recommended for cleaning since it does not contain any residual chemicals used
to grow the grains, such as corn, rye, and wheat, or other foodstuffs, like
potatoes, grapes, and soybeans.
Using Vodka to Clean
To prepare your vodka solution, all you need is a clean plastic
spray bottle, which you can buy at your grocery store in the cleaning aisle, or
at your local home improvement store. They are also available at your local dollar
store! You will also need your conventional cleaning supplies, like rags, sponges,
and rubber gloves. Fill your bottle up with your vodka of choice, and get ready
to clean!
✅ Mold and Mildew – Vodka will make bathroom mold and mildew removal a breeze. Just spray the affected area, wait 15 minutes, then scrub it clean. Rinse thoroughly to reveal the fruits of your labor!
✅ Glass and Mirrors – To achieve that spotless, streak-free shine on mirrors and glass (including drinking glasses), mist the surface, then wipe clean with a microfiber rag or even some bunched up newspaper.
✅ Clothing and Fabrics – To reduce or eliminate residual odors in clothing, upholstery, curtains and rugs, simply mist them with vodka and let them dry. Don’t worry; it doesn’t leave a scent behind!
✅ Sticky Adhesives – To get rid of that leftover gunk or residue left behind from stickers or labels, generously spray the area with vodka, wait a few minutes, and then see how easy it is to scrub away.
✅ Hardware and Fixtures – Remove fingerprints and oily marks from anything metal, such as faucets, doorknobs, and more, with a little spray of vodka. Just spray and wipe for full sterilization.
✨ Now pour yourself a vodka cocktail for all the cleaning you
did!
Where to Find the Best Vodka Specials in Downtown Indianapolis
Call English Ivy’s at 317-822-5070 to hear about our fabulous Downtown Indianapolis drink specials we offer all week long. Visit us on Mondays for $4 EFFEN VODKA drinks and $6 MULES! Be sure to try our Dutch Mule made with Ketel One! Or come in on Wednesdays for $5 ABSOLUT DRINKS and $6 EFFEN MARTINIS, and Fridays for $5 KETTLE ONE drinks! Visit us on Saturdays for $4 EFFEN VODKA and $5 KETTLE ONE drinks! And you can’t forget about Sunday brunch that features our famous $5 BLOODY MARY’S! So, if you need a new place to wine and dine with your group, trust English Ivy’s bar and restaurant for phenomenal food, fun, and friendship!
Although a conventional alcohol, vodka might have a lot to offer in terms of health and wellness. Many suggest that, not only can you use vodka as a delicious base to create your favorite cocktails, you can also use it therapeutically, or to treat minor ailments, from bad breath and dandruff, to headaches, toothaches, stress, and much more.
Continue reading to learn what many say are common health benefits and therapies of vodka.
Fundamentals of Vodka
Vodka is a colorless, flavorless, ethanol and water-based
beverage. In the United States, it is usually made with an alcoholic value of 30%
by volume. If you look at its chemical makeup, you might better understand why
it can be applied to certain health remedies and uses. Not only does it’s
ethanol composition give vodka several useful properties, it is also
carbohydrate-free and sugar-free, which helps to support nutrition.
Vodka Health and Wellness Applications
For centuries, vodka has been served many uses aside from recreational
imbibing. To this very day, many of these applications are still strongly supported.
The top most suggested health and wellness applications for vodka include:
☑ Skin Health – Vodka is an astringent, which helps pores clean and skin clear.
☑ Hair Health – Vodka can cleanse the scalp and eliminate toxins, which can treat dandruff and promote hair growth.
☑ Bacterial Protection – Vodka has antiseptic and antibacterial qualities that can disinfect wounds and prevent infections. It can also treat cold sores.
☑ Toothaches – Applying vodka directly to the gums, or swish it around in your mouth to help relieve toothache pain.
☑ Headaches – Creating a tincture or special herbs and vodka is a method that has been used for centuries to treat minor headaches, colds, and hangovers.
☑ Fever Reducer – Vodka is said to help reduce a fever by rubbing it on your back and chest.
☑ Detoxification – Vodka retains diuretic properties that helps promote healthy urination and flushes out toxins.
☑ Cardiovascular Health – Vodka has a dilating effect on arteries that stimulates blood flow. This can help protect against certain heart diseases, like strokes and cardiac arrest.
☑ Bad Breath/ Smelly Feet – Because vodka disinfects, it can treat smelly feet and bad breath. Mix it with cinnamon or spearmint for a refreshing mouthwash.
☑ Stress Relief – As many of us know, a good cocktail or two can help relieve the stress of a long week. It calms the brain, which can help with insomnia and sleeping difficulties. In fact, scientific findings suggest that vodka helps decrease stress factors in the body more efficiently than any other alcohol!
Get an Ice Cold Vodka Cocktail at English Ivy’s!
Contact English Ivy’s at 317-822-5070 to hear about our delicious dinner and drink specials we offer at our Downtown Indianapolis bar and restaurant! We gladly accept wall-ins, reservations, and even carryout orders. From classic wings and beer, to prime rib, cocktails, stage entertainment, and more, we have exactly what you are looking for in both flavor and fun! With neighborhood prices and the kindliest service around, you will be fully-satisfied with every visit. We look forward to being friends!