By Beth Buehler
Signature cocktails are always fun to try when visiting great Colorado hotels and ranches. As a toast to summer, three Destination Colorado members shared their special recipes.
C Lazy U Ranch
Located near Granby, C Lazy U Ranch is celebrating its 100th anniversary in style with signature cocktails, including the 1919 utilizing a chocolate shot glass and Boujee Bootlegger with gold flakes! We’re including both as a nod to the past and present.
1919
1 oz. Idlewild Single Malt Whiskey
1 bottle Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
Chocolate shot glass
Pour the whiskey into a chocolate shot glass and drop into the Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock. Sip and enjoy.
Photo by Molly Johnson.
Boujee Bootlegger
2 oz. Leopold’s Bourbon (available only at C Lazy U or Leopold’s Distillery)
1 oz. Carpano Antica Vermouth
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Whiskey-smoked cherries
Edible gold flakes
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice and stir. Strain into a commemorative C Lazy U 100th anniversary rocks glass with a large ice cube stamped with C Lazy U’s logo. Garnish with homemade whiskey-smoked cherries and gold flakes.
This cocktail sells for $100, with $50 going to the Horse Rescue Charity Foundation. Photo by Molly Johnson.
Halcyon
In Denver’s thriving Cherry Creek North district, Halcyon has a glorious rooftop pool with great views and Elevated Rooftop Lounge that can accommodate private events ranging from 12 to 400 guests. This yummy drink is perfect for networking and relaxing poolside.
Breakfast Martini 14
2 oz. Boodles Gin
.25 oz. Aperol
.5 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 T. orange marmalade
Shake to dilution and double strain into a coupe glass. Enjoy!
Breakfast Martini 14 in the middle! Courtesy Halcyon.
Hotel Colorado
Like C Lazy U Ranch, Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs is another Colorado classic, dating back to 1893. Under new ownership and undergoing complete renovation in phases (the meeting and event space was the first focus of attention!), this signature cocktail is the hotel’s take on a drink with a long history. The Corpse Reviver has a long history, with the term used in print in 1861 to describe a mixed drink, says Director of Food & Beverage Bob Glowacki. The Corpse Reviver #2 was included in The Savoy Cocktail Book published in 1930, and the Capone version is Hotel Colorado’s take on this longtime recipe.
Capone’s Corpse Reviver
1.5 oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin
.75 oz. Lillet Blanc
.75 oz. Cointreau
.25 oz. fresh lemon juice
.25 oz. simple syrup
Absinthe
Shake over ice and strain into a cocktail glass that is misted with absinthe.
Courtesy Hotel Colorado.
Meeting and event planners also can ask mixologists at Colorado properties to develop something specific for their groups. Here’s a toast to summer!
Beth Buehler is editor of Colorado Meetings + Events and Mountain Meetings magazines, has planned numerous meetings and events and enjoys exploring Colorado.
