Crafting Creative Cocktails: Mixing Ipas With A Twist

Beer cocktails are becoming increasingly popular, and India Pale Ale (IPA) is a great choice for mixing. While IPAs are typically enjoyed on their own, they can also be used to create unique and tasty cocktails. From the classic Dark 'n Stormy to the more adventurous IPA Moscow Mule, there are endless possibilities for mixing with IPA. Whether you're looking for a simple mix or something more complex, the versatility of IPA makes it a perfect base for experimentation. So, get creative, and cheers to exploring the exciting world of IPA cocktails!

IPA Moscow Mule

The IPA Moscow Mule is a fun and easy twist on the classic Moscow Mule cocktail. It's perfect for any occasion and is sure to impress your friends or family. This cocktail combines the citrusy and hoppy notes of an IPA with the tangy and refreshing flavors of a Moscow Mule.

Ingredients:

• Vodka
• Ginger beer
• Fresh lime juice
• Ice
• Your favorite IPA
• Lime wheel garnish
• Fresh mint sprig

Directions:

• In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, ginger beer, fresh lime juice, and ice.
• Stir the contents with a long-handled cocktail spoon for 25 seconds.
• Strain the mixture into a traditional copper mug.
• Top it off with your favorite IPA.
• Garnish with a wheel of fresh lime and a sprig of mint.

The IPA Moscow Mule is a delightful blend of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. The vodka complements the citrus and hops of the IPA, while the ginger beer and lime add a tangy and effervescent twist. This cocktail is a perfect way to showcase your bartending and hosting skills, as it looks impressive but is easy to make.

Stormy IPA

The Stormy IPA is a cocktail inspired by the classic dark rum cocktail and America's favourite beer style – the India Pale Ale. It can also be seen as a fortified version of a shandy.

Ingredients

• 12 oz ginger beer, very cold
• 12 oz IPA, very cold
• Juice of half a lime
• Lime slices for garnish
• 1.5 oz dark rum

Method

• Set up two high ball glasses and place 3-4 ice cubes in each.
• Pour the ginger beer, dividing it equally between the two glasses.
• Pour the IPA, dividing it equally between the two glasses.
• In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the rum and the remaining lime juice and shake 4-5 times to chill.
• Strain/pour over one of the glasses and stir well. Garnish with lime.
• Repeat the last step for the second cocktail.

Tips

• The Stormy IPA is much more potent than you'd expect, so take care.
• The choice of IPA is up to you. You can go for a citrusy American hops IPA, a very bitter double IPA, or even an aromatic, dry-hopped session IPA.
• You can use pretty much any dark rum at this level of dilution.

Beer cocktails with grapefruit juice

Grapefruit juice is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of beer cocktails, adding a unique sweet and tangy flavour. Here are some delicious beer cocktail recipes with grapefruit juice:

The Grapefruit Shandy

The grapefruit shandy is a classic beer cocktail that is perfect for summer sipping. It is a simple yet refreshing combination of wheat beer, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and soda water. To make this drink, mix the simple syrup, grapefruit juice, and soda water in a glass. Then, add the wheat beer to taste. Stir well and serve over ice. For an extra touch of flavour, garnish the cocktail with a slice of grapefruit or a sprig of fresh mint.

The Salty Dog

The Salty Dog is a unique and tangy cocktail that is perfect for those who enjoy a balance of sweet and salty flavours. To make this drink, rim a glass with coarse salt and set it aside. In a shaker, combine grapefruit juice, gin or vodka, and ice. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass. Top it off with a splash of soda water and give it a final stir. Garnish with a grapefruit slice and a sprig of rosemary for a refreshing and elegant cocktail.

The Paloma

The Paloma is a traditional Mexican cocktail that is adored for its elegance and delicious flavour. It is a simple yet refreshing combination of tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and soda water. For an extra touch of sweetness, add a dash of simple syrup. To make this cocktail, rim a glass with salt and set it aside. In a shaker, combine the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup (if using). Add ice and shake well. Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass and top it off with soda water. Garnish with a lime wedge or a grapefruit slice.

The Brown Derby

The Brown Derby is a classic cocktail that combines the sweetness of honey with the sharpness of grapefruit juice. It is a simple yet elegant drink that can be made with just a few basic ingredients. To make this cocktail, combine bourbon, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled glass. For a more complex flavour, use a premium bourbon with deep vanilla and caramel undertones. Garnish with a grapefruit slice and a sprig of rosemary.

The Greyhound

The Greyhound is a classic grapefruit cocktail that is both refreshing and tangy. It is a simple combination of vodka or gin, and grapefruit juice. To make this cocktail, pour vodka or gin over ice in a glass. Add fresh grapefruit juice and give it a stir. For an extra touch of flavour, garnish the cocktail with a wedge of grapefruit.

These grapefruit beer cocktails offer a unique twist on traditional drinks, adding a burst of sweetness and tanginess to your taste buds.

Beer and tequila

Mixing beer and tequila might sound like a frat party special, but it's actually a great combination in a margarita riff. The result is a drink that's refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day.

The Lagerita, created by bartending veteran Simon Ford, is a mix of lager (preferably Mexican, like Corona or Dos Equus), tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. The choice of tequila is up to you, but a quality blanco or silver tequila is sure to do the trick.

The Corrido Prohibido is another tequila and beer cocktail. It's made by pouring a shot of blanco tequila into a glass and slowly topping it with a light-bodied Mexican beer such as Corona, Modelo, or Tecate. You can also add a lime wedge and a salted rim to taste.

If you're looking for something a little more complex, try the Tequila Shandy Beer Cocktail. This drink combines hard lemonade, lager-style beer, and a shot of tequila. It's light, lemony, and refreshing, making it perfect for sipping on a hot day.

Beer and whiskey

The boilermaker has different variations depending on the region. In England, a boilermaker typically refers to a half-pint of draught mild mixed with a half-pint of bottled brown ale, or a "brown split" in the southwest. In Scotland, it's known as a "half and a half," consisting of a half-pint of beer with a whisky, affectionately termed "a wee hawf."

There are also several traditional pairings of a shot of liquor with beer that are similar to the boilermaker. These include the German Herrengedeck, pairing Korn (grain brandy) with beer; the Dutch Kopstootje, combining Jenever (Dutch gin) and beer; and the Irish Car Bomb, which drops a shot of Irish cream and whiskey into a glass of stout.

While the traditional boilermaker involves drinking the whiskey and beer separately, some people enjoy creating a beer cocktail by mixing the two together. This can be done by simply pouring the whiskey into the beer, or for a more dramatic presentation, dropping the shot glass into the beer glass, resulting in a "depth charge."

So, the next time you're looking to unwind after a long day or wanting to try a classic cocktail, consider mixing yourself a boilermaker—a timeless combination of beer and whiskey that's been a favourite for generations.

Frequently asked questions