Festive Thanksgiving Day Inspired Cocktails

Posted on November 15, 2019 by englishivys

If you are planning a holiday party for this year’s Thanksgiving Day, add some seasonal delight to your catering spread with these creative and tasty cocktail inspirations!

Indianapolis Thanksgiving Day Specials 317-822-5070

Thanksgiving Day Cravings

When you think of Thanksgiving, you might imagine the luxurious aromas of nutmeg and cinnamon, the creamy flavors of pumpkin and other seasonal squashes, and even the cooling sensations of a strong, fall breeze. So why not incorporate these charming seasonal elements into your Holiday cocktails? Here are some of the trending 2019 Thanksgiving Day cocktail recipes you might want to consider!

Pumpkin Latte Martini

1.5 oz. Pumpkin Pie Vodka
1 oz. RumChata
8 oz. Coffee
0.5 oz. Cream or Milk
1 tbsp. Sugar
1 tsp. Cinnamon
Optional: Crushed Graham Crackers

Fill shaker with ice. Add all ingredients. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with a dash of cinnamon and sugar. Optional: graham cracker rim

Cranberry Moscow Mule

8 oz. Ginger Beer
1 Lime, Squeezed
1 oz. Vodka
1 tbsp. Cranberry Cocktail Juice
1 oz. Raw Cranberries
Lime Slices

Fill copper mug with ice. Add vodka, lime juice, and cranberry cocktail juice. Stir. Top with ginger beer. Wipe rim of mug with lime wedge. Garnish with raw cranberries and lime wedge.

Bourbon Pecan Pie

1.5 oz. Pecan Praline Liqueur
1 oz. Bourbon
0.5 oz. Vodka
Roasted or Candied Pecans

Fill rocks glass with ice. Add all ingredients. Garnish with pecans.

Spiced Apple Cider Toddy

1.5 oz. Spiced Rum
3.0 oz. Apple Cider
1 Orange wheel
1 Cinnamon Stick

Warm your apple cider up. Fill glass coffee mug with rum. Top with warm apple cider. Garnish with orange peel and cinnamon stick.

Get a Seasonal Thanksgiving Day Cocktail at English Ivy’s!

English Ivy’s is open on Thanksgiving Day from 5PM and Midnight this year! Call 317-822-5070 to ask about our dinner and drink holiday specials we are offering this season. We offer a seasonal-inspired, multi-cuisine menu that is locally-sourced and curated by our chef. From classics like wings and burgers, to specialty entrees like prime rib and baked scallops, and everything in between, you will find exactly what your taste buds crave this Thanksgiving on our exclusive holiday menus. With neighborhood prices and the nicest service around, you will enjoy every minute you spend at our Downtown Indianapolis bar and restaurant!

Suggested Health Benefits of Vodka

Posted on September 25, 2019 by englishivys

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.

Vodka Cocktails Downtown Indianapolis 317-822-5070

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!

Top-Recommended Low Calorie Cocktail Options for Summer

Posted on August 20, 2019 by englishivys

If you enjoy a great cocktail at the end of a hard day, but prefer not to indulge in too much sugar or calories, there are still many great options to choose from at your local pub that won’t set your nutrition goals back. Continue below for a list of some of the top-recommended and most frequently ordered low calories cocktails that are the perfect refreshing finish to a long work day. You may be surprised to learn which drink comes in at the lowest calories!

Downtown Indianapolis Skinny Cocktails 317-822-5070

Cocktails Under 200 Calories

You do not have to jeopardize your summer fitness plan, nor ruin your nutrition goals, every time you want to relax and have some cocktails. Instead, just stick to some popular alcoholic refreshments that are made with simple ingredients, and do not have any added sugars. Here are some top-recommended cocktails that come in at under 200 calories per drink, in order from lowest to highest:

☀ Champagne

Nutrition: 90 Calories
↬ Add some fresh fruit or a splash of juice for added flavor.

☀ Vodka & Soda With Lime

Nutrition: 100 Calories
Ingredients: Vodka, Soda Water, and a Lime Wedge

☀ Rum & Diet Coke

Nutrition: 100 Calories
Ingredients: Rum, Diet Coke, Lime Wedge

☀ Sazerac

Nutrition: 135 Calories
Ingredients: Whiskey, Absinth, Bitters, Sugar, and Water

☀ Gin & Tonic With Lemon

Nutrition: 150 Calories
Ingredients: Gin, Tonic Water, and Lemon Wedge

☀ Old Fashioned

Nutrition: 155 Calories
Ingredients: Bourbon, Bitters, and Sugar

☀ Paloma

Nutrition: 165 Calories
Ingredients: Tequila, Grapefruit Juice, Soda Water, and a Lime Wedge
↬ For fewer calories, forgo a sugar-coated rim.

☀ Mojito

Nutrition: 170 Calories
Ingredients: White Rum, Simple Syrup, Mint Leaves, Lime Wedge

☀ Martini

Nutrition: 175 Calories
Ingredients: Vodka or Gin, Vermouth (Olives Optional)
↬ For less calories, order it “dry” and forgo the olives.

☀ Gimlet

Nutrition: 180 Calories
Ingredients: Any Liquor, Rose’s® Sweet Lime Juice, and Lime Wedge
↬ For less calories, swap Rose’s® for a dash of simple syrup and fresh-squeezed lime.

➡ When in doubt, stick to some general rules of thumb for concocting a lo-calorie, skinny drink:

☑ Avoid premixed drinks, mixes, syrups, and liqueurs.
☑ Swap soda for sparkling water or soda water.
☑ Swap red wine for white wine.
☑ Choose simple recipes with few ingredients.
☑ Use fresh fruit to enhance flavor.

Delish Skinny Cocktails in Downtown Indianapolis

Contact English Ivy’s at 317-822-5070 to hear about our delicious summertime cocktail list and drink specials! We have a full bar stocked with all your favorites, including premium liquors, wine, beer, and more. So if you need a new “Gay-thering” place for your group, trust English Ivy’s bar and restaurant for phenomenal food, fun, and friendship!

Easy Iced Tea Mocktail and Cocktail Recipes for Summer

Posted on July 17, 2019 by englishivys

Try some refreshing twists on the conventional iced tea recipe, or spike it with some extras for a sensational summertime iced tea cocktail!

Downtown Indianapolis Drink Specials 317-822-5070

Ice tea is a summertime staple. When served perfectly chilled on a hot summer day, nothing compares the flavor and refreshment it delivers with every gulp. If you are bored with the classic ice tea recipes you’ve been drinking all your life, try to incorporate some new ingredients to your traditional recipe to switch up the flavor profiles.

The great thing about ice tea is its versatility. Almost any fruit or citrus juice can enhance and complement its flavors, as well as, herbs, spices, rinds, and more! If you are ready to modernize your age-old iced tea recipe, continue reading and look forward to some fantastic tips and tricks you can try at home or at your favorite bar!

Green Lemon Iced Tea 🍋

What You Will Need:

❧ Green Tea Leaves
❧ Tea Ball
❧ Lemons
❧ Juicer (optional)
❧ Pitcher
*You can simply use green tea bags if you do not want or have a tea ball set. If you do not have fresh lemons for lemon juice, use lemonade.

Instructions:

➀ Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
➁ Insert 3 green tea bags.
➂ Cover with a lid and allow it to steep for 3 to 5 minutes. If you want stronger tea, steep for a few minutes longer. If you do not have a lid or cover, use a large cutting board.
➃ Once the tea has steeped, transfer it to a pitcher and squeeze ¼ cup of fresh lemon juice in it. You can also add 2 teaspoons of honey or sugar to sweeten it up!
➄ Allow the tea to chill overnight in the refrigerator, and serve over ice with a lemon slice garnish!

Ginger Hibiscus Iced Tea 🌺

What You Will Need:

❧ Hibiscus Tea Bags
❧ Fresh Ginger
❧ Lemon
❧ Sweetener of Choice
❧ Strainer
❧ Pitcher
*You can use honey or sugar as a sweetener. You can find Hibiscus tea bags at any local grocery store or fresh foods market. Again, if you do not have fresh lemons, you can use lemonade instead.

Instructions :

➀ Bring 4 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of freshly peeled ginger, and 3 tablespoons of sweetener to a boil in a medium sauce pan.
➁ Stir the boiling water until the sugar is entirely dissolved.
➂ Remove the pan from heat and add 4 bags of Hibiscus tea.
➃ Cover the pan with a lid and allow the tea to steep for 10 to 12 minutes. Steep longer for stronger flavored tea.
➄ Pour the tea over a strainer into your desired pitcher to remove all the ginger solids.
➅ Chill in the refrigerator overnight. Serve over ice with a lemon wedge!
➆ To enhance your refreshment on a hot summer day, add a bit of seltzer water to your iced tea concoction!

Iced Tea Cocktail Ideas 🍹

Summer is also a time for relaxation and recreation; and what better way to enjoy the sunny season than with an iced cold cocktail! Ice tea makes a great base for alcoholic beverages because it contains water, which helps keep you hydrated, as well as citric acid, which serves as an antioxidant to help control hangovers! Below are some ways to enhance the above iced tea concoctions into iced tea cocktails!

Ginger Hibiscus Iced Tea Cocktails:
↳ Add bourbon, cinnamon sticks, honey, and allspice;
↳ Add white rum, Aperol, sparkling wine, and fresh berries;
↳ Add beer and muddled grapefruit.

Iced Green Tea Cocktails:
↳ Add champagne, pomegranate juice, and mint leaves;
↳ Add gin, lime juice, and orange juice;
↳ Add vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and orange liqueur.

Order a Refreshing Iced Tea Drink at English Ivy’s!

Contact English Ivy’s at 317-822-5070 to learn all about our weekly drink specials in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. We also serve a full lunch, dinner, and late night menu, and even brunch on weekends! From iced tea cocktails and mimosas, to beer, wine, and everything in between, we have the refreshing summertime cocktails you crave on a hot day. With neighborhood prices and the nicest service around, you will enjoy every minute you spend at our Downtown Indianapolis bar and restaurant!

Top Summertime Whiskey Cocktails for Barbecue

Posted on June 24, 2019 by englishivys

Summer is a time for barbecuing, and here at English Ivy’s, our bartenders and culinary specialists know that whiskey happens to be one of the best drinks to pair with the flavors of roasted, seared, and flamed meats. The aromatic herbs and essences of whiskey perfectly complement the rich, char-grilled flavors of authentic BBQ cuisine.

So continue reading to learn which whiskey cocktails we recommend to pair with your summertime BBQ!

Why Whiskey?

Terrific barbecue is not an easy accomplishment. It takes years of trial and error, acute knowledge, and unwavering discipline to truly achieve the skill level necessary to create mouth-watering barbecue. But when it comes to creating delicious cocktails to pair well with your favorite smoked meats and classic comfort foods, there is no real skill required! Anyone can couple the perfect cocktail with the smokiness and spiciness of a genuine barbecue dinner. All you need are the right ingredients, the right supplies, and a group of friends to share them with!

When deciding on cocktails, there are hundreds of liquors and liqueurs to choose from, but whiskey is always a safe choice. There is no other liquor that quite matches the smoke and spice of barbecue. The aromatic herbs of whiskey seem to complement the charred goodness of authentic barbecued foods. Below you will find a few popular whiskey cocktails that are sure to bring out the best flavors and the best times at your next barbecue dinner!

🍋 The Dickelade

This cocktail is made with George Dickel No. 12® , which is a 90 proof whiskey that is inspired by authentic scotch flavors. It is basically an Arnold Palmer, but without the iced tea. In fact, you could even compare it to a whiskey sour, which is bourbon, lemon juice, and sugar (and sometimes an egg white to balance the flavor!). To make a Dickelade, simply mix with lemonade and serve over ice with a lemon slice!

Directions:
⇢ 1.5 ounces George Dickel No. 12®
⇢ 4 ounces Lemonade

Fill a rocks glass with ice. Pour in whiskey first, then top it with the lemonade. Stir the contents until the glass starts to chill and condensate. Finish by garnishing with a lemon slice.

🍯 Jack Daniels Honey® & Grapefruit

The name really says it all here. This cocktail is the perfect refreshing finish to any bite of tasty barbecue, and it only requires a few easy ingredients. All you need is a bottle of Jack Daniels® and some ruby red grapefruits to get started. Simply mix, pour over ice, and garnish with a lime wedge. If you want to avoid the hassle of freshly squeezing grapefruits, you can substitute in your choice of bottled grapefruit juice.

Directions:
⇢ 1 ounces Jack Daniels Honey®
⇢ 3 ounces Fresh-Squeezed Grapefruit Juice

Start with a tall glass of ice. Squeeze grapefruit juice into a separate container. Next, pour the whiskey over ice, then follow with grapefruit juice. Finish by garnishing with a lime wedge.

🍹 The Cobas

If you want something similar to the Jack Daniels Honey® and Grapefruit, but not as sweet, try the exotic cocktail named the Cobas, which loosely translates to the suck up in Spanish. But this drink doesn’t have tequila. Instead, this cocktail requires standard bourbon, grapefruit juice, mint leaves, and cinnamon.

Directions:
⇢ 1 ounces Jim Beam®
⇢ 1.5 ounces Fresh-Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
⇢ 1.5 ounces Fresh-Squeezed Lime Juice

Start with a tall glass of ice. Next, pour the whiskey over ice, then follow with grapefruit juice and lime juice. Finish by garnishing with a lime wedge, fresh mint leaves, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Where to Get Great Food and Drink Specials in Downtown Indy

Contact English Ivy’s at 317-822-5070 to hear about our delicious dinner and drink specials we’re offering this summer! 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 moment you spend at our Downtown Indianapolis bar and restaurant! We look forward to being friends!