By now, your calendar is filled with holiday parties and seasonal celebrations and you've probably had one too many eggnogs and hot toddies by year's end. None of that should get in the way of exploring the work of creative cocktail makers in town compelled by the spirit of the season. When you're chilled to the bone, grab yourself one of these winter warmers that'll make things steamy in no time.
The breath and variety of the options is serious, from soothing liquor-laced beverages at coffee shops to stunning creations served in an imposing metal pineapple glass-of-sorts, there seems to be something for every mood, occasion, and taste.
We listed the cocktails here in no particular order. If you know of another amazing winter-appropriate beverage, share it in the comments below or send us a note via the tipline.
Disclosure: The editor is married to one of the developers behind The Source, the development in which the Yacht Club reside.
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.
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Attempting to pair with the wide variety of cuisines available at this modern food hall, Avanti’s winter cocktail is the Rum Them Over with rhum clement aged rum and orange liqueur, local honey, lemon, nutmeg, clove, allspice and hot water.
Collaborating with local tea producer and home goods shop, Lore, Bar Fausto proudly features a delicious chai with an added egg white for a frothy delight. Sweet vermouth and an amaro base further flavor the drink.
Located in downtown Denver's theatre district, this sprawling and swanky lounge hosts musicians with an old fashioned cool. The latest addition to the drink menu is the Upside Noggin, with Plantation five-year rum, Plantation dark rum, Germain robin brandy, Monkey Shoulder scotch, whipping cream, a whole egg, vanilla ice cream and nutmeg.
Daring to be different, Del Frisco's Grille throws guests a bold flavor profile with their Big Apple Sour. Combining Crown Royal Apple and house-made lemon sour, the beverage is shaken to a foamy fizz and poured into a frothy finale.
From the craft cocktail masters at Hopdoddy comes a warm and smoky drink made with Grand Marnier and the flavors of citrus and spice. Mulling their own apple cider daily for the base of this take on a sidecar, clove, citrus, cinnamon, apple and black pepper envelop the drink and the rest of the restaurant.
Denver Union Station comes complete with a Christmas tree and Santa Claus this time of year. Walk through the main terminal to Mercantile for a rich and creamy seasonal beverage called The Unknown Legend. The drink, only available for a limited time, includes brown butter washed angostura, 7-year rum, foro amaro, sercial madiera, and coffee pecan bitters.
While it may have a silly name, the restaurant is both fun and grown up. Their fall/winter cocktail menu has the Valium, with montelobos mezcal, Benedictine amaretto, fresh lemon vino float and torched cherries.
One of Cherry Creek's latest eatery additions brings a beach beverage with winter flavors to sip on. The pomegranate and cinnamon margarita has Don Julio Blanco, mezcal, lime juice, agave nectar and Pom juice with fresh cinnamon around the rim of the glass. Last, but surely not least, pomegranate seeds are sprinkled on top.
This sleek and cozy lounge highlights creative cocktails all year round, but this holiday season, Ste. Ellie features their Pirate Juice Julep off their Theme and Variation menu. This drink contains Plantation OFTD overproof and Stiggins fancy pineapple rum, with fig and cinnamon.
Their holiday-spiced cocktail is fresh and classic at the same time. Using Leopold Bros. cranberry liqueur smashed with oranges, berries and mint for festive imbibing. Add the flavors of Sandeman Amontillado sherry and you've got a holiday drink.
Dreams, a winter-friendly drink at this Boulder restaurant, is a combination of Rare Wine Co. 'Savannah' Verdelho Madeira, Amontillado Sherry, El Dorado 8 yr. Rum, Demerara simple syrup, Gotham & Winter Apricot Liquer, and lemon juice.
The DapQueen is a combination of Absolute Elyx, Amontillado Sherry, pear brandy, lemon juice, plus winter spice syrup, chamomile rooibos tea, and Strongwater Native Floral Bitter. The creation is garnished with flowers and spices.
Attempting to pair with the wide variety of cuisines available at this modern food hall, Avanti’s winter cocktail is the Rum Them Over with rhum clement aged rum and orange liqueur, local honey, lemon, nutmeg, clove, allspice and hot water.
Collaborating with local tea producer and home goods shop, Lore, Bar Fausto proudly features a delicious chai with an added egg white for a frothy delight. Sweet vermouth and an amaro base further flavor the drink.
Located in downtown Denver's theatre district, this sprawling and swanky lounge hosts musicians with an old fashioned cool. The latest addition to the drink menu is the Upside Noggin, with Plantation five-year rum, Plantation dark rum, Germain robin brandy, Monkey Shoulder scotch, whipping cream, a whole egg, vanilla ice cream and nutmeg.
Daring to be different, Del Frisco's Grille throws guests a bold flavor profile with their Big Apple Sour. Combining Crown Royal Apple and house-made lemon sour, the beverage is shaken to a foamy fizz and poured into a frothy finale.
From the craft cocktail masters at Hopdoddy comes a warm and smoky drink made with Grand Marnier and the flavors of citrus and spice. Mulling their own apple cider daily for the base of this take on a sidecar, clove, citrus, cinnamon, apple and black pepper envelop the drink and the rest of the restaurant.
Denver Union Station comes complete with a Christmas tree and Santa Claus this time of year. Walk through the main terminal to Mercantile for a rich and creamy seasonal beverage called The Unknown Legend. The drink, only available for a limited time, includes brown butter washed angostura, 7-year rum, foro amaro, sercial madiera, and coffee pecan bitters.
While it may have a silly name, the restaurant is both fun and grown up. Their fall/winter cocktail menu has the Valium, with montelobos mezcal, Benedictine amaretto, fresh lemon vino float and torched cherries.
One of Cherry Creek's latest eatery additions brings a beach beverage with winter flavors to sip on. The pomegranate and cinnamon margarita has Don Julio Blanco, mezcal, lime juice, agave nectar and Pom juice with fresh cinnamon around the rim of the glass. Last, but surely not least, pomegranate seeds are sprinkled on top.
This sleek and cozy lounge highlights creative cocktails all year round, but this holiday season, Ste. Ellie features their Pirate Juice Julep off their Theme and Variation menu. This drink contains Plantation OFTD overproof and Stiggins fancy pineapple rum, with fig and cinnamon.
Their holiday-spiced cocktail is fresh and classic at the same time. Using Leopold Bros. cranberry liqueur smashed with oranges, berries and mint for festive imbibing. Add the flavors of Sandeman Amontillado sherry and you've got a holiday drink.
Dreams, a winter-friendly drink at this Boulder restaurant, is a combination of Rare Wine Co. 'Savannah' Verdelho Madeira, Amontillado Sherry, El Dorado 8 yr. Rum, Demerara simple syrup, Gotham & Winter Apricot Liquer, and lemon juice.
The DapQueen is a combination of Absolute Elyx, Amontillado Sherry, pear brandy, lemon juice, plus winter spice syrup, chamomile rooibos tea, and Strongwater Native Floral Bitter. The creation is garnished with flowers and spices.
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