(Courtesy Daniela Elena Tentis / Pexels)

Festive foods take on new meaning when made with serious beer. And here’s a bright, punchy salad dressing that lets an IPA do what it does best: bring citrus, a little bitterness, and a clean hop aroma to the party.

And although this recipe might work with a wide variety of India Pale Ales, we went with Sierra Nevada Springfest IPA, a 6% ABV citrus-toned seasonal India Pale Ale with bright orange, lemon zest and floral notes.

Let’s do this!

Springfest IPA Salad Dressing

Ingredients

• ½ cup Sierra Nevada Citra Little Thing IPA
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)
• 1 small clove garlic, finely minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

(Courtesy Sioerra Nevada Brewing)

Instructions

1. Reduce the beer (optional but recommended):
   Pour the IPA into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 5–7 minutes until reduced by about half. This concentrates the citrusy hop flavor and softens the bitterness. Let cool completely.
2. Build the base:
   In a bowl or jar, whisk together the Dijon, honey, vinegar, garlic, and lemon zest.
3. Add the IPA:
   Whisk in the cooled, reduced IPA.
4. Emulsify:
   Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing thickens and comes together.
5. Season and adjust:
   Add salt and pepper to taste. If it’s too bitter, add a touch more honey. Too sharp? A splash more oil smooths it out.
6. Let it sit for 20–30 minutes before serving so the flavors meld. Store in the refrigerator up to 5 days—just shake well before using.

Pro Tips

• For extra creaminess: Add 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt.
• For heat: A pinch of red pepper flakes works beautifully with hop bitterness.

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