100 + degree weather in Reno this week! Trying to beat the heat and relax on the deck after a long shift behind the bar, this came to mind…
Indian Summer
1.5 oz Tru Organic Gin
.75 oz Fruitlab Hibiscus Organic Liqueur
.75 oz Simple Syrup
.5 oz Pink Grapefruit
.25 oz Lemon
Shake and strain into a tall glass on the rocks
Top with Lagunitas IPA
Garnish with Grapefruit Zest
Refreshing, zesty and goes down so quick on a hot night. Give it a try…
One of the best things about using beer in cocktails is that the possibilities are endless. There are thousands of beers out there, each with its own flavor profile. In addition to just using beer on its own as an ingredient, beer can also easily be turned into a flavored syrup or liqueur, opening up new avenues of creativity for beer cocktails.
I think that the use of beer syrups in cocktails is a fantastic way to incorporate the flavors of a beer without adding carbonation to your drink, because lets face it, not every drink needs to be bright and sparkly. Sometimes you need something stronger that is going to linger in the glass a while.
Although there are no official rules for beer mixology, some spirits pair extraordinary well with certain styles of beer. Case and point: American India Pale Ale + tequila.
More commonly referred to as IPA, the India Pale Ale is a hop forward style originally developed for export from England to India. The antiseptic nature of hops makes it a natural preservative, which helped enhance the self-like of the beer as it endured the long boat voyage around the continent of Africa.
Although conceptually similar to their English cousins, American IPAs are characterized by the use of American hops, which yield aromas of citrus, pine and resin. They boast medium-high to very high hop bitterness, very light malt character, significant carbonation and a dry finish.
And this brings us to tequila.When it comes to buying tequila, products with 100% agave are by far the most preferred and highest quality on the market. Un-aged (aka Blanco) tequila is known for being floral, citrusy, and slightly bitter — making directly complimentary to the American IPA. Continue Reading
