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!

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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!

6 Delicious Mule Cocktails and Where to Try Them in Downtown Indy

Posted on June 6, 2022 by englishivys

There’s just something about ginger beer and lime combo that really makes the traditional Mule cocktail so tempting. Well, they just got even better! There is more than one way to build a delicious Mule cocktail aside from the classic vodka ginger beer recipe.

Scroll down to learn 6 new Mule cocktails to add to your cock-tailing routine, plus where to get the best bar specials on Mules and more in Downtown Indianapolis!

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Appreciate a Copper Mug

Most admirers of Mule cocktails insist that they taste crisper and more aromatic when served in a copper mug. This is likely due to the fact that the copper decreases the temperature of the drink, thus delivering consistent, chill-worthy sips from start to finish. It is also said that copper mugs create extra fizz and carbonation, which in turn enhances the core flavor of the ginger, citrus, and mint inside.

6 Tasty Mule Recipes to Try

All Mule recipes below call for 1.5 ounces of liquor and 4 ounces of ginger beer. Serve them on the rocks, over ice, in a copper mug. Finish them with a splash of lime juice, then garnish with fresh mint springs and a lime wedge!

Dutch Mule

The Dutch Mule is today’s Mule; a classic made better! In fact, the Dutch Mule is made specifically with Ketel One Vodka. Simply combine Ketel One vodka with ginger beer and a splash of lime juice to bring this cocktail to life!

Kentucky Mule

In Kentucky, Kentuckians love their bourbon, which is what this delicious Mule cocktail is built upon! The Kentucky Mule is made exclusively with Bulleit Bourbon, which hails from Lebanon, Kentucky! Follow the traditional recipe, combining Bulleit Bourbon with ginger beer and a splash of lime!

London Mule

If you are a lover of gin, the London Mule is for you. Featuring Bombay Sapphire Gin, the combination of the floral bouquets awakens all the senses! When you want elegance with a little kick, opt for the London Mule!

Irish Mule

When whiskey is what you want, go for the Irish Mule, made specifically with Jameson Irish Whiskey! This rich and crispy combination will delight your taste buds and have you craving more before the last sip! Pair your Irish Mule cocktail with some fish and chips!

Mexicali Mule

Want something that will deliver some instant arousal? Get your fiesta on with a Mexicali Mule, made exclusively with Espolòn Blanco Tequila! This is a delicious alternative to a margarita or Ranch water cocktail. Something magical happens when you combine Espolòn Blanco Tequila with ginger beer!

Dark & Stormy

Brooding? Or just bored? Perhaps you need to spice things up a bit with a Dark & Stormy Mule! This incredibly satisfying cocktail can only be made using Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, so you can see where it gets its name!

Craving a frosty copper mug filled with one of these exclusive and satisfying Mules? Visit English Ivy’s Downtown Pub and Eatery to enjoy our $6 Mule Mondays! We are also featuring ½ bottles of wine, $4 Effen vodka cocktails, and 50 cent wings! Be sure to check out our weekly specials, too!

Top 4 Tips for a Responsible Night of Drinking

Posted on January 31, 2022 by englishivys

It’s a fact that many adults like to go out, let loose, and enjoy a selection of delicious cocktails with friends and loved ones. Whether it is the end of a long work week, special celebratory occasion, or just another fun weekend with your crew, if you are planning to go out for drinks, be sure to do so responsibly. With good knowledge and best practices, you can enjoy as much celebratory drinking as you like, while also being sensible and safe. This can also help to mitigate those nasty hangover symptoms that we all dread.

Continue reading to learn the top 4 tips for a responsible night of drinking, including a bonus tip on where to get the best drink specials and downtown Indianapolis.

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Sensible and Healthy Ways to Enjoy Your Alcoholic Beverages

When you are preparing to grab drinks at your local bar or pub with your friends, these 4 tips will help you have a successful, fun, and safe experience:

Pay Attention to Alcohol Content

When drinking alcoholic beverages, it is important to understand that some cocktails and drinks have a lower alcohol content in them compared to others. For example, dark beers can have up to 12% alcohol in them, while light beers can have as low as 4 to 5% alcohol. This means drinking 4 pints of Guinness will have a higher effect on your blood alcohol level, then drinking for Miller Lights.

The same principle applies to liquor. Some liquors are lower proof than others, so it is important to pay attention to what you’re ordering and how much is being poured in that drink. For instance, 3 ounces of 190 proof Everclear, a pure grain alcohol, will have more of an effect on your blood alcohol level than 3 ounces of 40 proof vodka.

So, if you are drinking a cocktail or beverage that has a higher alcohol content in it, understand that you are basically drinking doubles, and the effect of alcohol will impact you much faster and stronger compared to a less-strong beverage.

Pace Yourself

Along with understanding the alcohol content in each beverage, it is important to take your time when drinking alcohol. Pace yourself by drinking glasses of water in between each alcoholic beverage, and by drinking slowly. Avoid taking shots if you can, although this is sometimes impossible. If you take shots, just be sure you are staying hydrated with plenty of water throughout the night.

Eat Something

Perhaps one of the most important tips for drinking responsibly is to ensure you are eating. Food plays an important role in keeping you satiated, while also giving your stomach something to absorb all the alcohol. If you have ever gone drinking without eating anything, you know that you wake up with a severe hangover and a lot of sickness. You also get drunk really fast, which can actually spoil the night because it can cause you to get sleepy or sick too soon. So, while you’re drinking with friends or loved ones, be sure to order appetizers and continue snacking, or eat a full meal at some point in the night.

Look Out for Others

Another critical tip for drinking with friends or loved ones is to look out for each other. If you notice that one of your friends is becoming too intoxicated to quickly, offer them some food or a glass of water. If someone does end up getting too intoxicated, be sure to help them home safely. It is also important to look out for each other in terms of being victimized. Keep your eyes on your drink at all times and keep an eye out for anyone trying to slip anything into your friends’ drinks.

As promised, we are going to give you a bonus tip on where to get the best drink specials, freshest cocktails, and quality bar menu selections in downtown Indianapolis. Visit English Ivy’s in Downtown Indianapolis for daily food and drink specials and more! Be sure to check out our weekly specials, too!

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Cozy Winter Cocktails to Keep You Warm All Season Long

Posted on January 10, 2022 by englishivys

Wintertime is the perfect season in Indiana to snuggle up with all of your cozy favorites, like over-sized sweaters, knitted socks, chunky throw blankets, and steaming cups of coffee. Speaking of coffee, why not mix a little tequila in to really give you a warm winter buzz? Seriously! Warm winter cocktails are trending this season, and there are plenty to choose, making it easy to find one you’ll love.

Continue reading to learn some of the top cozy winter cocktails to keep you comfy and warm all season long, plus where to go to get the best drink specials in Downtown Indianapolis!

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Hot Cocktails for the Winter Season

Traditionally, hot cocktails are made with liquors like bourbon, tequila, whiskey, scotch, and liqueurs like coffee, berry, cream, and chocolate. As for the bases, you can expect a lot of recipes to include hot tea, cocoa, and coffee. But as you explore recipes for hot winter cocktails, you can begin to customize your drinks with your favorite flavors and alcohols.

Here are some of the top cozy winter cocktails to try out:

Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy’s are one of the more traditional winter cocktails. These have been enjoyed for generations, and never seem to disappoint. They are very easy to make and even recommended as a cold remedy for sore throats, coughing, congestion, and chills.

You will need a ceramic or stemmed mug, as well as bourbon, fresh lemon, honey, water, and a cinnamon stick if you so choose. If you don’t have a cinnamon stick, you can simply use ground cinnamon. You can be extra festive by adding a star anise floater or even half a baked pear!

1 CUP OF WATER, HEATED
3 OUNCES BOURBON WHISKEY
1 LEMON WEDGE
2 TABLESPOONS HONEY
1 THIN LEMON SLICE
CINNAMON STICK (OR GROUND CINNAMON)

Heat 1 cup of water in the microwave it for 2 minutes. Be sure to use a glove to remove the cup because it may be very hot. Add the honey to your mug, then pour your hot water and bourbon in. Stir the concoction until the honey has dissolved, then squeeze in the juice of one lemon wedge. Toss in a lemon slice and cinnamon stick, or sprinkle cinnamon on top.

Spiked Rosemary Tea

Now here’s a winter cocktail you may not have heard of before. Try out this delicious, sweet, and oh-so-soothing spiked Rosemary tea with a hint of lemon! It is special because it includes Fernet, a complex Italian spirit that is bitter and aromatic. You will also need some strong black tea, like Earl Gray, and of course a coffee mug.

1 CUP FERNET-BRANCA
6 BAGS OF BLACK TEA
4 OUNCES ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP
4 OUNCES LEMON JUICE
4 OUNCES HONEY

How To Make Rosemary Simple Syrup: In a 2 quart pot, add 1 cup of water, 2 cups of sugar, and 6 rosemary sprigs. Then cut up a lemon into wedges and squeeze the juice of each wedge into the pot. Then toss the squeezed wedges into the pot with all the other ingredients. Keep this concoction on low heat until it creates a thick syrup.

To make your cocktail, first begin with your tea. Once your tea has been brewed, add all ingredients into your mug and stir until well dissolved.

Oaxacan Coffee

South of the border, they really know how to make a tasty cozy cocktail. We are talking about this delicious Oaxacan coffee! This recipe makes a whole pot, so gather up some friends or family! You will need some strong, black espresso to start. Then just mix all ingredients together and garnish with cinnamon sticks and cloves. For an extra treat, top off your cup with whipped cream!

4 CUPS OF ESPRESSO
4 OUNCES TEQUILA, RESPOSADA
1.5 OUNCES MEZCAL
4 OUNCES AGAVE (SWEETEN TO TASTE)
6 CINNAMON STICKS
6 CLOVES

Are you looking for a great place in Downtown Indy to enjoy some warm winter cocktails and delicious meals? Visit English Ivy’s Downtown Pub and Eatery and enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner, and delicious drinks! Be sure to check out our weekly specials, too!