Give Citrus Cocktails A More Complex Flavor With A Popular Ale

Mix and match flavors to find your favorite combination

While all IPAs share a common ingredient in hops, the other flavors in this beer can differ significantly depending on the brewer. Some may incorporate citrus notes, while others might lean towards pine or floral characteristics. Keep this in mind when crafting your cocktail, as there’s no universal formula for creating IPA cocktails. For instance, if you plan to use lemons or limes with gin or vodka, a great beer option would be a hazy IPA, celebrated for its tropical fruit notes like pineapple and orange. To elevate your drink, consider grilling some lemon slices to mellow the sourness and enhance the sweetness. The bitterness from the hops, combined with the sour, tropical fruit flavors, will beautifully complement the lemon juice. If you desire a touch more sweetness, a drizzle of honey or agave nectar can do the trick.

If tequila cocktails are more your style, you might enjoy giving your paloma a twist by adding beer. Grapefruit and tequila make a classic combination, as the sweet, sour, and bitter elements of grapefruit help soften the spirit's bite. Fortunately, grapefruit IPAs are a popular and easy-drinking variety. The citrusy grapefruit flavor cuts through the bitterness of the hops, lending this beer a bright, refreshing quality. Mixing it into a tequila cocktail with fresh juice and a splash of agave nectar will create a wonderfully balanced drink. There are countless other recipes that could benefit from the addition of an IPA, so the next time you’re at the liquor store, grab a six-pack to have on hand for when you’re in the mood for a citrusy cocktail and feeling adventurous.