So you have chosen to get married in beautiful Colorado and honestly, who could blame you? Our purple mountain majesty picturesquely reigning in the west is the perfect back-drop for any wedding.
But now, how to make your special day reflect all that you love about Colorado? Let’s start with the most popular attraction at any wedding: THE BAR! Talking with our beverage catering company, PEAK Beverage, we have put together five signature cocktails for you that best represent a mountain wedding at Spruce Mountain Ranch:
1) Purple Mountain: This cocktail is made with a rosemary and blueberry simple syrup, Elderflower liquor and Champagne. It makes for a bright and bubbly cocktail that stands out with its purple hue. It adds class and a fun dash of color to any wedding. Purple Mountain • 4 oz Champagne • ½ oz of Elderflower liquor • ½ oz of simple syrup • Garnish with Rosemary spring
2) The John Denver: A Colorado twist on a classic Arnold Palmer, this drink is made with brewed pine tea, lemonade and vodka and served in a mason jar. Refreshing and outdoorsy, this is a favorite that will make your guests feel like they have found the taste of camping in a cup. The John Denver • 2 oz Vodka • 5 oz Pine tea • 3 oz Lemonade • Garnish with a lemon wedge
3) Colorado Sentinel: For this mixed spirit, we use Spring 44 gin, combine it with Crème de Violet as well as lemon and sugar. Colorado Sentinel • 3 oz Spring 44 gin • ½ oz Crème de Violet • Squeeze in two fresh lemon wedges • Add a dash of sugar • Shake vigorously • Pour into martini glass with sugar rim • Garnish with lemon twist
4) Lichen Reserve: This cocktail is for the scotch lovers at your reception. It’s made with scotch, orange juice, French vermouth and a sprinkle of nutmeg. This full flavored entices your guests taste buds and leaves them with hints of the smoky mountains lingering on their lips. Lichen Reserve • 2 oz scotch • ½ oz French vermouth • 1 oz orange juice • Stirred and strained over whiskey cube in in lowball glass • Dash nutmeg • Garnish with orange twist
5) Ranchers’ Delight: Our last mountain inspired cocktail is a sweeter drink made with Rum. Here we use Crème de Cocoa and half and half to mix in with the Rum built up over ice and just a sprinkle of nutmeg to make a delicious libation. This is an ideal drink for Fall and Winter weddings, filling your guests up with a filling goodness as they cozy up to our wood burning fires. Ranchers’ Delight a. 2 oz of dark rum b. 1 oz Crème de cocoa c. 1 oz half and half d. Sprinkle of nutmeg
Cheers to you and your upcoming nuptials, with these five cocktails you are bound to not only get your guests out on the dance floor but also add a little extra Colorado sweetness to your already wonderful day.*