Seven Spring Cocktails to Try This Month

Grid View

• The bar at Olivéa
• The Tamarind Spice at Olivéa
• The Ginger Bee at Colt & Gray
• The South Park cocktail at Williams & Graham
• The Shaka-Bra! at TAG
• The New Taipei Fizz at Steuben's
• The Rain or Shine at Linger
• The Spring Mai Thai at Green Russell.

With the proliferation of high-quality cocktails in this city, both at specialty bars and high- and low-end restaurants, it can be hard to keep track of all that's offered in Denver. Instead of slipping into the pattern of ordering the same old gin and tonic or perfect Manhattan at every stop, here's the first local edition of Lucky Seven, a column where Eater highlights seven excellent drinks to try every at bars and restaurants helmed by some of Denver's best cocktail talents. Time to get drinking.

The Tamarind Spice at Olivéa
719 E. 17th Avenue, Uptown
Olivéa may be a small restaurant, but the dishes and drinks at this Uptown Mediterranean spot are bold. Enjoy the patio, grab a table or hang at the bar with one of Olivéa's refreshing cocktails. Try the Tamerind Spice, crafted with Sombra Mezcal, Herradura Tequila, and Olivéa's signature tamarind-jalepeno-black pepper syrup.

The Ginger Bee at Colt & Gray
1553 Platte Street #120, Commons Park
The bartender's choice at Colt & Gray is one of the best, but the seasonal cocktail choices shouldn't be missed either. Try barman Kevin Burke's Ginger Bee, a cocktail made with chamomile-infused gin, fresh lemon juice, honey, egg white, ginger juice and orange flower water.

The South Park at Williams & Graham
3160 Tejon Street, LoHi
It may not feel like spring in Sean Kenyon's hidden and dem speakeasy, but some of the cocktails are packed with bright, herbaceous notes with hints of citrus and of sun-ripened fruit. Try the South Park, a cocktail made with Spring 44 Gin, Yellow Chartreuse, lemon, agave, Angostura Bitters and fresh mint.

The Shaka-Bra! at TAG
1441 Larimer Street, Larimer Square
TAG just updated their cocktail menu, featuring a variety of seductive and corky cocktails. There's I'm Not Actually a Virgin, Pussy Galore and My Frenemy, for starters. Eater likes bar manager Nikki Schaeffer's Shaka-Bra!, a cocktail made with Sauza Blue Tequila, fresh lime, lilikoi, mexcal, li-hing mui and fresh cilantro.

The New Taipei Fizz at Steuben's
523 East 17th Avenue Parkway, Uptown
Steuben's has a lot of fine cocktails, but when on the hunt for something new, the New Taipei Fizz is definitely worth a try. Bar manager Randy Layman shakes Boca Loca Cachaca, fresh lime juice, simply syrup, coconut milk, Angostura Bitters and an egg white together. The drink is then strained into a chilled glass, topped with a spritz of soda water and garnished with a lime.

The Rain or Shine at Linger
2030 West 30th Avenue, LoHi
Nothing says spring like a cocktail on Linger's patio, which arguably has one of the best views of the city. Whether it's rainin' or shinin' outside, try bartender Eryn Latterman's Rain or Shine made with Angels Envy Bourbon, Ramazotti Amaro, Angostura Bitters, simple syrup, lemon juice, ginger beer and mint.

The Spring Mai Tai at Green Russell
1422 Larimer Street, Larimer Square
Looking for a good buzz? Consider trying Adam Hodak's Mai Tai at Green Russell. Hodak uses Rhum Barbancourt, Smith & Cross Jamaica Rum, towka syrup, orgeat syrup, and Créme de Violette in his version of the Mai Tai. Garnished with fresh mint and orange, this cocktail should not be missed.