Oct. 13--Tired of drinking Miller Lite during the Cubs playoffs? Try a beer cocktail instead -- either at one of these Chicago bars, or at your watch party by whipping up the easy recipes below.
BARS
SideDoor: At this River North pub, beer gets the fancy treatment: Rocky's Revenge Bourbon Brown beer is mixed with rye whisky, citrus, Carpano Antica and peach-honey-thyme puree for a cocktail they call a Turning Leaf ($13). 100 E. Ontario St., 312-787-6768.
The Bad Apple: This North Center restaurant and bar has more than 10 beer cocktails on the menu. Try the First Wives Club ($7.50), a blend of grapefruit-infused Jeppson's Malort, lime juice, simple syrup and an IPA of the bar's choice. 4300 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-360-8406.
The Double Tavern: The Purple Moon cocktail pairs Belgian White Ale from Blue Moon with Chambord black raspberry liqueur, while the Lucy in the Sky is a combination of Italian lemon liqueur and white ale -- aka one heck of a shandy. 3545 W. Fullerton Ave., 773-772-7000.
RECIPES
Blue Bear
Cheer on the Cubs with an appropriately blue cocktail from "10,000 Drinks" by Paul Knorr.
1.5 ounces Blue Curacao
Beer, to fill
Pour Curacao in a pint glass with no ice. Add cold beer to fill.
Hop-Skip-and-Go-Naked
The name of this drink, from "The Official Harvard Student Agencies Bartending Course," is a nod to what just might happen in Wrigleyville if the Cubs clinch the series tonight.
1 ounce vodka
1 ounce gin
Juice of 1/2 lime
Beer, to fill
Combine vodka, gin and lime juice in a pint glass with ice. Add beer to fill.
