Cold-Hopped Citrus IPA Cocktail with Fresh Herbs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant IPA cocktail featuring cold-hopped citrus notes, fresh herbs, and a touch of honey for a refreshing, aromatic drink. This American-inspired rice and grain recipe, ready in about 250 minutes, brings together New England IPA beer, fresh mint leaves, fresh basil leaves for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 240 min Serves 1 American cuisine 150 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Small appliances → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 0.25 oz of citrus dry hop blend (such as Citra and Mosaic) into a fine mesh tea infuser or cheesecloth sachet. Submerge in 8 oz chilled New England IPA beer and let steep gently in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours to extract bright hop aromas without grassy flavors.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, lightly bruise 6 fresh mint leaves and 4 fresh basil leaves by gently clapping them between your palms to release their aroma.
  3. Step 3: In a cocktail shaker, combine the 3-4 hour cold-hopped IPA, bruised herbs, 1 tbsp honey syrup, and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Add 1 cup ice cubes and shake gently for 10 seconds to chill and blend flavors.
  4. Step 4: Strain into a chilled glass filled with fresh ice and top with 2 oz club soda for a light effervescence if desired. Garnish with a sprig of mint or basil and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cold-Hopped Citrus IPA Cocktail with Fresh Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 250 minutes (10 min prep + 240 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.

How do I store leftover Cold-Hopped Citrus IPA Cocktail with Fresh Herbs?

Refrigerate any leftover cold-hopped citrus ipa cocktail with fresh herbs in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cold-Hopped Citrus IPA Cocktail with Fresh Herbs?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cold-Hopped Citrus IPA Cocktail with Fresh Herbs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cold-Hopped Citrus IPA Cocktail with Fresh Herbs?

American rice & grains like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes