Where to Find a Taste of Spring in Denver
Even though in Denver, April showers often turn into snowstorms, that doesn’t stop us from thinking about Spring. Denver bars and restaurants are putting spring flavors into glasses with some fresh and creative cocktails and springtime brews. Here are some delicious ways to enjoy a taste of spring around Denver.
Breckenridge Brewery
Just in time for spring, Breckenridge Brewery has released another beer in its Small Batch Series. The King’s Dish is now available for consumption, but in limited release. King’s Dish is a Burton Style Ale, which is a style that pre-dates the IPA. The beer showcases English malts and hops and received its name from a line in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale — “For a quart of ale is a dish for a king.” Find it in restaurants and liquor stores around town now.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
Down south in the Tech Center, enjoy some tasty new signature cocktails for spring. The Pecan Maple Manhattan features Pecan-infused Smoke Maple Knob Creek Bourbon, Whiskey Barrel-aged Bitters, and Praline Bacon. The Gold Standard Mule features Russian Standard Gold Vodka, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer. The Scottish Smash features Monkey Shoulder Scotch, fresh lemon sour, orange marmalade and Angostura Bitters. All cocktails are priced from $13 to $16.50.
Great Divide Brewery Taproom
In June, Great Divide will debut the Nadia Kali, the latest edition to the Tank Farm brew series. This is a complex saison with a ruby pink color, which comes from an infusion of hibiscus alongside ginger root and lemon peel. While it may tart, it also packs a punch at 6.3% ABV. Find this brew in the tap room or in bottles around town soon.
Highland Tap and Burger
The folks at HTB specialize in patio sippers in the spring. When the sun comes out, have the Bossy Unicorn made with Hendrick’s Gin, fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice, mint, cucumber, Absinthe rinse, and champagne. Change things up with the Liquid Sword made from Sailor Jerry’s Spiced Rum, Bacardi Light, fresh lemon juice, fresh orange juice, and Orgeat syrup. Both cocktails are $8.
Thirsty Lion Gastropub
The entire menu is new at Thirsty Lion at Union Station. Enjoy the Grapefruit Basil Martini made with Absolute Rudy Red Vodka, St. Germain, Grapefruit juce, fresh basil, Fee Brothers Grapefruit Bitters, lime and simple syrup. Also sip The Devereaux made with Bulleit Bourbon, St. Germain, lemon juice, sparkling wine and simple syrup. Both drinks are $9.50.
Range
The Range inside the Renaissance Denver Hotel is located two blocks from the Denver Performing Arts Complex, and they have revived the Theater Cocktail Series for the spring so guests can enjoy a different cocktail for each performance. In May, enjoy A Girl and A Guy during Once. This Colorado-craft cocktail features Leopold Bros. Michigan Tart Cherry Liqueur topped with Left Hand’s Milk Stout and a Luxardo Cherry. For Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in early June, sip an Enchanted. It features Anders’ Vodka served over ice and topped with Drambuie and garnished with orange peel and mint sprig. In late June, stop in before or after a performance of The Sound of Music and sip on the Von Trapp Cocktail. This mélange features a spoonful of sugar soaked in Peychaud's Bitters and topped with Adams Sparkling Rose, Leopold Bros. American Orange Liqueur and Denver Dry Gin over crushed ice, all served in a champagne flute. All Theater Series cocktails are $12.
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant
To help celebrate this restaurant’s 30th anniversary, all six Colorado Rio locations will be serving a special Margarita now through August. The Triple is specially crafted from 100% Blue Agave Jose Cuervo Tequila and is aged in barrels from Odell Brewing in Fort Collins, where the original Rio restaurant resides. The drink holds three ounces of booze — one ounce for each decade the Rio has been in business. Also available for a limited time, The Triple comes with a commemorative take-home glass for only $12.
Photo via Flickr user robertafaccenda.il
