On your way out of town as you head to the lake, there’s an oasis on your right in Evans Towne Centre. It’s Ironwood Tavern, and it’s the last stop on Washington Road before reaching what some 30904 folks would say is the end of the Earth. There you will find friendly bartenders serving a lively family-oriented crowd, the waft of wood-fired pizzas filling the comfortable setting, and the din of your favorite televised sports’ team in the background.
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My PID (Partner in Drinking) and I are always impressed with Ironwood’s generous glasses. So much so that we have dubbed it “Home of the Long Drink” — a cocktail which is served over ice in a tall glass and usually contains refreshing fruit juices or soda water or sometimes both (which we recommend if you’re looking to disrupt the havoc of this heat). There are sundry of these on the menu at any given time.
In addition to their tried and true selections, Ironwood Tavern keeps their food + bev menu fresh with monthly specials. July’s featured cocktails were
🍹Mixed Berry Margarita
🍹Limoncello Spritz
🍹New York Sour
🍹Tamarind Mule
🍹Mezcal Espresso Martini
I would be remiss not to try some of these special summer sippers, so bartender Laura commenced my research assignment with the Mixed Berry Margarita. She started with Herradura Silver and added Gran Gala liqueur, a muddled trifecta of berries, lime juice and margarita mix, all served in a tall glass rimmed with black salt. This tequila-based drink tastes like gobbling down an extra chilly bucket of fresh berries on a sunny day.
I also opted for the Limoncello Spritz, a breezy blend of Limoncello, Prosecco, soda + lemon juice reminiscent of loungy afternoons on the Côte d’Azur. Few things on a hot day are as refreshing as lemonade, and this big-kid version with its bright, bubbly, boozy nature is a cheery riff on the childhood staple. It’s a clean and refreshing sweet + tart sparkler that is quenching to the last drop. Cin-cin!
And because I am a sucker for all things blood orange, my third sipper was the Blood Orange Margarita. This cocktail combines Altos Reposado, Grand Marnier and blood orange-infused mixer, finishing with a flourish of salt. This bevvy is an über-refreshing warm-weather concoction. One taste, and you’ll consider yourself officially refreshed.
Be sure to take advantage of Ironwood Tavern’s Happy Hours Monday-Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close. That’s when beer is $1 off, Specialty Drinks are $6, and their Chardonnay + red blend are $5. And don’t forget to tell them nakedepicurean sent you. 💋
IRONWOOD TAVERN
5117 Washington Road, Suite 1
Evans, GA 30809
(706) 814.6789
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
Ann Beth Strelec is known around town as the Naked Epicurean, sampling the finest cocktails known to Augustans. Find out about adult beverages at The Augusta Press on the first and third Friday or on Instagram @NakedEpicurean
