Summer Cocktail Recipes to Try at Home

Posted on June 22, 2023 by englishivys

As the summer temperatures rise, it’s time to cool off with some refreshing cocktail recipes! Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just looking for something special to sip on your own, there’s nothing quite like a delicious summertime drink. From classic mojitos and margaritas to creative twists on old favorites, here are some of our favorite summer cocktail recipes that you can make right at home. So, grab your shaker and get ready for an unforgettable experience as you mix up these tasty drinks!

Downtown Indy Fun Starts Here - English Ivy's Eatery & Pub — Summertime Drink Specials in Downtown Indianapolis

Cocktail Recipes for Summer Fun

1. Coconut Margarita – This twist on a classic drink adds creamy coconut milk to the mix, giving you a bright and fruity margarita that is perfect for Summer. Combine 1 ½ ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of lime juice, ¾ ounce of Cointreau, 2 tablespoons of coconut milk, and a pinch of salt in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and pour into an ice-filled glass. Garnish with a lime wedge or extra coconut flakes for an extra special touch!

2. Pomegranate Martini – This sweet and tart take on a martini will be sure to please any summer celebration or gathering. Begin by filling your shaker with 1 ½ ounces of vodka, ¾ ounce of pomegranate juice, and a splash of simple syrup. Shake with ice until chilled and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a few pomegranate seeds for extra flavor!

3. Caribbean Daiquiri – No Summer is complete without this classic daiquiri recipe that has been made famous by bartenders around the world. Begin by combining 2 ounces of light rum, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, and 1 teaspoon of sugar in your shaker with ice. Shake until well-mixed then strain into an ice-filled glass and top with a dash or two of Angostura bitters if desired.

4. Watermelon Gin Fizz – This light and refreshing cocktail is perfect for summer festivities. Start by muddling three watermelon cubes in the bottom of your shaker and add 2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of lime juice, and ½ tablespoon of simple syrup. Shake with ice until chilled and pour into an ice-filled glass. Top off with a splash or two of club soda for extra fizz and garnish with an orange slice.

5. Basil Smash – Summer isn’t complete without a unique twist on an old favorite. Begin by combining 2 ounces of bourbon, ¾ ounce of lemon juice, 3 basil leaves, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of syrup in your shaker with plenty of ice. Shake vigorously until the ingredients are combined and strain into an ice-filled glass. Top with a few extra basil leaves for garnish if desired!

6. Coconut Daiquiri – If you’re looking for something tropical, try out this delicious coconut daiquiri recipe. Start by blending together equal parts of light rum, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and lime juice until everything is smooth. Then pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge.

7. Blueberry Mojito – This fruity twist on the classic mojito is perfect for those hot summer days. Start by muddling some fresh blueberries and simple syrup in the bottom of your glass, then add some crushed ice and rum. Top off with club soda and garnish with mint leaves for an extra zesty flavor. For a traditional mojito, all you need is rum, lime juice, mint leaves, and simple syrup.

8. Strawberry Margarita – This variation on the classic margarita is sure to be a hit for all of your friends. Start by crushing up some strawberries in a blender or food processor until they’re smooth but still slightly chunky. Then fill an old-fashioned glass with crushed ice and pour in your tequila, triple sec, and the strawberry puree. Give it all a good stir and top it off with your favorite lime-flavored soda.

Summer Cocktail Recipes You and Your Guests Will Love

These are just a few of the many summer cocktail recipes that you can try at home. No matter what kind of drink you’re craving, there’s sure to be a recipe that will satisfy your thirst. So why not get creative and experiment with these fun and flavorful drinks? Cheers mate!

Not in the mood to craft your own cocktail tonight? No problem! Visit English Ivy’s Downtown Eatery & Pub to enjoy our Thursday night drink specials in Downtown Indianapolis, including $5 Margaritas, $3.50 Corona Bottles, $3 Fireball, $5.35 Pitchers, and $10 Beer Buckets. Be sure to indulge in our daily food and drink specials too!

10 Tips for Making Showstopping Crafted Cocktails at Home

Posted on May 30, 2023 by englishivys

Are you looking to impress your friends with the perfect crafted cocktail? Crafting cocktails at home can be fun and rewarding, but it does take a bit of practice. Here are 10 tips for making showstopping crafted cocktails that will have your guests in awe! From selecting the right ingredients to mastering presentation techniques, these tips will help you craft delicious drinks that look as good as they taste. So, grab your jigger and shaker, and get ready to whip up some amazing hand-crafted concoctions!

Call 317-822-5070 to Hear About Our Current Drink Specials!

How to Make Craft Cocktails at Home – 10 Tips

1. Start with the right ingredients. Quality is key when it comes to crafting cocktails – use only fresh, high-quality spirits and mixers for maximum flavor. Be sure to also stock up on garnishes such as fresh herbs, fruit slices, and citrus peels to give your drinks a unique look and taste.

2. Experiment with flavors. Don’t be afraid to play around with different liquor combinations or try out unexpected ingredients such as syrups, liqueurs, and bitters! Each of these can provide a unique depth of flavor to your crafted cocktails that will really make them stand out from the crowd.

3. Invest in good glassware. The type of glass you serve your cocktail in can really make a difference. Investing in some good quality glassware is well worth it – choose glasses suited for your drink of choice, such as martini or coupe glasses, to give it the perfect presentation.

4. Learn how to layer drinks. Layering drinks can be tricky but looks impressive and can give you an interesting flavor profile! It’s also a great way to add color and texture to your cocktails. Start with denser liqueurs before topping with lighter liquors for the best results.

5. Get creative with garnishes. Garnishes are essential for adding visual appeal and flavor complexity to any cocktail, so why not get creative? Try out different combinations of herbs, fruits, spices, and more until you find the perfect look and taste for your crafted cocktails.

6. Make simple syrups. Simple syrups are a great way to sweeten up your drinks while adding an extra layer of flavor – it’s also easy to make your own at home! Just combine equal parts sugar and water with any desired flavors, such as herbs or spices, then bring to a simmer and let cool before use.

7. Master ice techniques. Ice is essential in crafting cocktails – it keeps drinks cold and dilutes them just enough so that the flavors aren’t overwhelming. For the best results, use large cubes when possible (made from purified or filtered water) and add just a bit at a time.

8. Use egg whites for texture. Egg whites can add a creamy and frothy texture to any cocktail, perfect for those looking for an extra special touch! Simply add them after the other ingredients and shake vigorously before straining into your glassware of choice.

9. Don’t forget about carbonation. Carbonated beverages like soda water or club soda can give cocktails an extra kick – just be careful not to overdo it as too much carbonation can make drinks taste flat.

10. Have fun with the presentation aspect of it all! Crafted cocktails should look as good as they taste, so don’t hesitate to get creative with garnishes and presentation techniques like rimming glasses with sugar or salt, using pretty straws, or setting up a bunch of mini cocktails.

Now Go and Get Your Craft Cocktail On!

By following these tips, you can make showstopping crafted cocktails at home that look and taste amazing! Next time you’re looking to impress your friends with an impressive bar-quality concoction, whip out your shaker and get crafting! Cheers!

Ready to take a break from all that crafting and have someone serve you for a change? Just walk right into English Ivy’s Eatery and Pub – No reservations required! Enjoy a wide menu selection of lunch and dinner options, plus drink specials every day! Tuesday’s specials include $2 Domestics, $3 Wells, and $3 House Wines, plus BOGO lunch Deals — Buy 1 select app and get the 2nd app 50% off and buy 1 burger and get the 2nd burger 50% off.

Where Do Cocktails Get Their Names?

Posted on December 3, 2021 by englishivys

You may know what’s in them; but do you know where they got their name from? Popular staples in the bar industry like Bloody Mary’s, Manhattans, Screwdrivers, and Old Fashioned drinks have names that make you question their origins.

Below you can read through a list of popular cocktails just like these to learn a brief description of how they got their names. Then you can share this thought-provoking information with your peers the next time you gather together for a round or two!

Cocktail Specials Indianapolis Indiana 317-822-5070

Famous Cocktails and Their Moniker Origins

Bloody Mary

Bloody Mary’s are tangy, spicy cocktails made from a tomato juice and vodka base and mixed with a variation of spices and ingredients like salt, pepper, garlic, lemon juice, celery, Worcestershire, and more. Although the origin of the name has many stories and remains quite ambiguous, most agree that it is named after Queen Mary I of England, who was dubbed “Bloody Mary” for attempting to re-establish the Catholic Church.

Cosmopolitan

Also known as a “Cosmo” for short, the Cosmopolitan was made famous in the television series, “Sex in the City.” However, the Cosmopolitan was influencing the bar industry long before its red carpet debut. Primarily constructed with vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice, this popular martini-style drink’s name is said to have come from Neal Murray of the Cork & Cleaver steak house in Minneapolis in 1975. Supposedly, he added a splash of cranberry juice to a Kamikaze and said, “How Cosmopolitan.”

Dirty Martini

The Dirty Martini is a simple and sophisticated cocktail for vodka and gin drinkers. Primarily made with vodka or gin, vermouth, olive brine or juice, and garnished with green bar olives, this cocktail has a name that suggests something “unclean” or perhaps even “unscrupulous.” But the real origin of its name actually unknown. It is suggested that it describes the muddied, clouded appearance the olive brine gives the liquor.

Long Island Iced Tea

A Long Island Iced Tea traditionally contains vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, gin, and a splash of cola. It makes sense that this all-inclusive cocktail began in Long Island, New York; right? Well, this is actually true. A man by the name Robert “Rosebud” Butt claims he invented the drink in 1972 after entering a contest while working at the Oak Beach Inn in Long Island, New York.

Mai Tai

Mai Tai drinks are commonly made with white and dark rum, orange curacao, fresh lime juice, and almond flavoring syrup. These Polynesian-style ingredients may be what inspired the name. A man named Victor J. Bergeron claimed to invent the drink in 1944 when he made it for his friends who were visiting from Tahiti. In Tahitian language, “Maita’i” means “good.”

Manhattan

Universally made with whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters, the Manhattan is a classic bar drink. Although the origin is unclear, it is said that the drink was created at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the early 1870’s for a banquet in honor of presidential candidate, Samuel J. Tilden. People began calling this drink the “Manhattan cocktail” after the club. Pair it with a Beef Manhattan for a real treat!

Old Fashioned

An Old Fashioned is not exactly what the name implies. It is made by muddling sugar with bitters, then adding whiskey or brandy, and finished with a twist of citrus rind. But the ingredients are not where the name comes from. Traditionally, the Old Fashion is served in a short, round, tumbler-like glass called an “Old Fashion glass.” This is where the name likely comes from.

Screwdriver

There are several stories about this popular breakfast-style cocktail and its origins. The most supported story regarding its name suggests that it began with American oil workers working in the Persian Gulf during the 1920’s. They didn’t have a regular steel spoon to stir their drink, so they used whatever they had on hand that worked; and a screwdriver was always the most reliable tool nearby.

Are you craving one of these frosty, classic cocktails now? Visit English Ivy’s Downtown Pub and Eatery and enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner, and delicious drinks all weekend long. Be sure to check out our weekly specials, too!