Discover 6 Unique Cocktails in Indianapolis: A Guide to Must-Try Concoctions

A short list of unique cocktails to find and imbibe in Indianapolis

There’s a long list of cocktails circulated as classics — such as the Manhattan, Old Fashioned and Sidecar, to name a few. Some of these classic cocktails have a rich tradition or mythos behind their build, like the Martinez — widely considered a precursor to the Martini and named after a city in the San Francisco Bay Area. According to lore, the drink was possibly created by pioneering bartender, Jerry Thomas, the “Father of American Mixology.” 

Better known for food—sweet corn, pork tenderloins and sugar cream pie—Indiana has an unofficial cocktail called Hoosier Heritage. Built with Knob Creek rye whiskey, the Hoosier Heritage was created in honor of Abe Lincoln, who moved to the Crossroads of America from his family’s farm on Kentucky’s Knob Creek in 1816. 

As for Indiana’s capital, its burgeoning bartending scene has brought an assortment of original concoctions to the city’s culinary culture, and Edible Indy is raising a glass to a few imaginative Indianapolis cocktails to imbibe. 

Maritime Merchant | gin
The Ball & Biscuit

Nestled within a popular part of Massachusetts Avenue, The Ball & Biscuit is loved and lauded for its libations. “We have so many amazing cocktails on our current B&B Staff Originals menu,” says Ball & Biscuit’s operating partner, Kendall Lockwood Fields. “A drink that stands out is by one of our newer team members, Tori Pohl, called Maritime Merchant — and consists of: Opihr gin, honey pepper syrup, lemon, ginger and coconut cream. It’s garnished with ground red Tellicherry pepper and lemon oil.” 

“It’s spicy from the ginger, bright from the lemon, and has an overall touch of balance and sweetness from the honey and coconut cream,” continues Fields. “It’s an extremely well-constructed drink on Tori’s part. There’s no way you can’t taste the effort and love in this cocktail.” 

Strawberry Basil Martini | vodka
The Northside Social

As its name indicates, The Northside Social is found within the upper point of Indy’s northern neighborhood: the Broad Ripple Cultural District. For fourteen years, The Northside Social has offered traditional Indiana and southern cuisine with a seasonally changing menu. However, a bar menu mainstay is their beloved Strawberry-Basil Martini.

“We begin by infusing vodka with fresh strawberries. You can usually find a large glass container infusing on our bar, full of fresh cut strawberries,” says Bradley Khon, digital operations manager for The Northside Social. “In addition to our strawberry vodka, we make this signature house martini with fresh lime juice, just enough simple syrup and basil — straight from our garden in the warmer months.”

“We have a few other house standards, but we change our cocktails seasonally,” continues Khon. “There’s always something new, exciting and different to experience at The Northside Social.”

Not Your Grandma’s Cookie | oat whiskey
Hotel Tango Distillery

Founded by a former U.S. Marine, Hotel Tango is a veteran-owned and operated distillery. Located in the Fletcher Place neighborhood, Hotel Tango produces a variety of spirits: bourbon, rye whiskey, gin, vodka and more. Their maverick bar menu offers creative cocktails, including Not Your Grandma’s Cookie — made of oat whiskey, maple, chocolate, molasses and cinnamon.

“Not Your Grandma’s Cookie was designed to showcase our exclusive oat whiskey,” says Kati Larson, lead mixologist at Hotel Tango. “By utilizing oats in the grain bill, we’ve created an incredibly smooth spirit with distinct flavors unlike any other whiskey available. For the cocktail, ingredients were thoughtfully selected to complement the warm tones of the whiskey. This spirit-forward drink will remind you of an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, but just a little different from what Grandma used to make.”

That Ol’ Razzle Dazzle | rum
8th Day Distillery

8th Day Distillery can be found in the Circle City Industrial Complex — a redevelopment and refurbishment of a historic 1918 manufacturing facility. “Each of our cocktails is intentionally crafted by one of our bar staff,” explains Mia Townsend, digital marketing manager at 8th Day Distillery. 

On their current Summer Camp Cocktail Menu, Mystik Kay is a fruity riff on a Kentucky Mule. The Disney Princess combines the fruit-forward flavor of fresh strawberries with Sichuan peppercorn, coriander and rosemary. “It’s the perfect balance of smokey and savory with a touch of sweetness,” says Townsend. 

However, what makes this list is a creation by 8th Day Distillery’s bar manager, Kayleigh Rayburn: That Ol’ Razzle Dazzle. “Kayleigh knocked it out of the park with this spiced rum summer cocktail,” praises Townsend. “You’ll experience a journey of sweet fruit and bitter flavors dancing on your tongue.”

This Tiki-inspired drink includes grapefruit, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lime, apéritif and aged vanilla bitters all beautifully married together. And to truly give it “that ol’ razzle dazzle,” this dream of a drink is served on fire.

Back to Formula | gin
Kan-Kan Cinema and Brasserie

In the Windsor Park neighborhood of Naptown, Kan-Kan is a locally-owned arthouse cinema and restaurant. Kan-Kan’s refreshing and rotating bar menu has a list of house cocktails named in reference to motion pictures.

“We released our summer cocktail list on July 1st which features ten brand new cocktails,” says Kan-Kan’s bar manager, Forrest Dodson. “I’m proud of this menu and all the fun, strange combinations that capture the breadth of an Indiana summer.” 

Dodson highlights Back to Formula, a gin-based drink with a name referencing Sam Raimi’s 2002 superhero film, Spider-Man. 

“It’s a fairly simple concoction, and I love it on these hot, humid summer days,” says Dodson. “The base is Fort Hamilton New World Gin, whose botanicals include the normal juniper and citrus, but also cucumber and watermelon. I pair the gin with a cocktail shrub made of fresh cherry tomatoes and basil, fortified with both apple cider vinegar and white balsamic. Lastly, a dash of pink peppercorn bitters ties it together.”

Dodson describes the drink like “a Gimlet at a picnic” and as “both an approachable cocktail and a new experience.” 

Welcome to My Island | mezcal
Parlor Public House

A unique cafe and cocktail bar, Parlor Public House is nestled between the picturesque Lockerbie neighborhood and the vibrant Cole-Noble Commercial Arts District. This bright space is filled with an eclectic assortment of vintage décor and beautiful botanicals providing a warm aesthetic and atmosphere. An exciting yet enigmatic cocktail being served at Parlor is a new creation by bartender Kevin Amilcar.

“Embark on a journey with Welcome To My Island — an enchanting introduction to the world of Mezcal,” says Amilcar. “This vibrant creation blends the smoky allure of Mezcal with the tropical punch of pineapple, passion fruit and blackberries. A playful twist on the classic Matador, this summer sensation promises a refreshing escape with every sip. Perfectly balancing fruit notes with the distinctive essence of Mezcal, it’s a must-try for both adventurers and aficionados alike. Welcome to paradise in a glass.”