Seasonal Sips: Colorado Gins for Refreshing Summer Cocktails

Have you ever found yourself in the spirits aisle, staring at countless bottles, completely unsure which Colorado gins would make that perfect, refreshing cocktail for your backyard gathering? With your summer social calendar filling up, the last thing you want is to waste time deliberating over spirits and select something that disappoints your guests.

At Cheers Liquor Mart, our knowledgeable staff specializes in guiding you through our extensive selection of over 3,500 spirits, including the fine Colorado gins featured in this article. Our convenient same-day delivery and curbside pickup options ensure you'll never have to compromise on quality or selection when crafting your perfect summer cocktail.

Why Colorado Gins Deserve Your Attention

When you think of Colorado craft beverages, your mind might immediately jump to the thriving beer scene. But nestled between the mountains and plains, Colorado distillers have quietly been perfecting the art of gin production, creating spirits that capture the essence of the Centennial State.

Colorado gins stand apart from their international counterparts through their use of locally sourced botanicals and high-altitude distillation processes. The pure Rocky Mountain water serves as an exceptional base, while the diverse ecosystem provides juniper berries, coriander, and other aromatics that give these spirits their distinctive character.

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Top Colorado Gins for Your Summer Bar Cart

Mountain-Inspired Selections

Colorado's unique geography provides the perfect inspiration for distinctive gin creations. Cheers Liquor Mart's mountain-inspired selections capture the essence of alpine adventure in every sip:

• Axe and the Oak Dream Stream Barrel Aged Gin - a Colorado Springs favorite, this gin is aged in whiskey barrels, has notes of wood, vanilla, and marmalade.
• Deviation Distilling Mountain Herb Gin - crafted from a four-grain bourbon mash bill and infused with wild-foraged Rocky Mountain botanicals, this gin features notes of native juniper, white sage, rosemary, and spruce tips that collectively embody the rugged essence of the backcountry.

Citrus-Forward Selections

When temperatures rise, nothing refreshes quite like the bright zing of citrus. These Colorado gins put lemon, lime, orange, and other citrus botanicals at the forefront of your palate:

• Axe & The Oak Colorado Mountain Citra Gin - this gin balances classic aromatics with vibrant citrus notes. You'll find it creates the perfect foundation for a Tom Collins or Gin Fizz.
• Deviation Distilling Citrus Rosé Gin - crafted from a 100% malted barley mash bill and infused with hand-zested grapefruit, tangerine, lavender, and tarragon, this gin delivers the perfect punch of citrus.

Floral and Herbaceous Options

Nothing says "summer" quite like aromatic herbs and flowers; these Colorado gins capture the spirit of summer through some unconventional botanicals:

• CapRock Colorado Gin - made from certified organic apples and winter wheat, this gin offers a perfect balance of fresh green juniper with notes of rosé and lavender.
• Mythology The Foragers Botanical Gin - crafted in collaboration with Denver Botanic Gardens, this gin features notes of hand-harvested chamomile, lemon verbena, and elderflower, with a dry and floral finish.
• Spirit Hound Colorado Strawberry & Basil Flavored Gin - Distilled in hand-built copper pot stills and crafted from Rocky Mountain snowmelt, this gin features a harmonious blend of ripe strawberries and fragrant basil, resulting in spicy herbal undertones.

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Cocktail Recipes Inspired by Downtown Colorado Springs

Pikes Peak Gin and Tonic

Named after our iconic mountain backdrop, this elevated take on the classic gin and tonic captures the essence of a Colorado summer:

• 2 oz of one of the mountain-inspired Colorado gins
• 4 oz premium tonic water
• 3 fresh strawberries, sliced
• Sprig of local rosemary
• Squeeze of lime

Fill a highball glass with ice. Add sliced strawberries and gently muddle. Pour in the gin, add your rosemary sprig, and top with tonic. Then, finish with a squeeze of lime.

Acacia Park Refresher

This light, refreshing cocktail pays homage to one of Downtown Colorado Springs' beloved green spaces:

• 2 oz of a citrus-forward Colorado gin
• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz locally-produced honey syrup
• 2 cucumber slices
• Club soda
• Mint sprig for garnish

In a shaker, muddle the cucumber and honey syrup. Add your gin and lemon juice, fill with ice, and shake until well-chilled. Finally, strain into an ice-filled Collins glass, top with club soda, and garnish with mint.

Tejon Street Sipper

Named after Downtown Colorado Springs' main thoroughfare, this sophisticated cocktail brings together the flavors of Colorado gins and local summer produce:

• 2 oz of a floral Colorado gin
• ¾ oz elderflower liqueur
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• 3 slices of palisade peach
• Prosecco

Muddle the peach slices in a shaker. Add the gin, elderflower liqueur, and fresh lime juice. Fill with ice and shake until well-chilled. Then, strain into a champagne flute and top with prosecco for the ultimate summer gin cocktail.

Pairing Colorado Gins with Local Summer Fare

Farmers Market Inspired Pairings

Colorado Springs' Farmers Markets offer abundant inspiration for gin cocktail pairings. With the fresh ingredients you buy, try these:

• Match Deviation Distilling's Mountain Herb Gin with a wild mushroom and herb flatbread topped with goat cheese. The earthy fungi and creamy cheese will balance the robust herbal character of the gin.
• Pair Leopold's American Small Batch Gin with grilled herb-crusted trout and grilled local vegetables. The gin's complex botanical profile and pine notes will complement the delicate fish, while the citrus brightens the charred vegetables.
• Deviation Distilling Citrus Rosé Gin would be the perfect companion for a grilled peach and arugula salad, where the bright citrus notes in the gin complement the fresh, sweet notes of the salad.
• Pair Spirit Hound Strawberry & Basil Flavored Gin with a strawberry caprese salad for a harmonious echo of the gin's primary flavors while offering textural contrast.

Need More Pairing Ideas? Elevate Your Backyard BBQ: Al Fresco Dining Pairings with Premium Spirits from Cheers Liquor Mart

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Restaurant Row Recommendations

Downtown's thriving restaurant scene offers numerous opportunities to enjoy Colorado gin alongside expertly prepared cuisine:

• Seafood Pairings - The clean, crisp nature of gin complements everything from oysters to grilled fish. Check out local seafood places like Jax Fish House and Oyster Bar for seasonal seafood specials that pair beautifully with local gins.
• Small Plate Adventures - The tapas and small plate trend thriving in Downtown Colorado Springs creates the perfect opportunity for gin cocktail experimentation. Consider trying a gin cocktail alongside your tapas fare at Eleven18. You'll discover that their Latin-inspired cuisine pairs beautifully with Colorado gins.
• Dessert Delights - Don't overlook gin as a potential dessert companion. You'll be surprised how floral gins can enhance summer fruit desserts while herbaceous varieties complement chocolate creations. Several eateries, like the Bloom Ultra Lounge, have embraced gin alongside their dessert menus with creative cocktails and sweet pairings.

Experience the Best Colorado Gins at Cheers Liquor Mart

Colorado's gin renaissance offers you an extraordinary opportunity to explore locally crafted spirits that capture the essence of our beautiful state. From juniper-forward classics to innovative botanical blends, you'll discover Colorado gins that perfectly complement summer cocktails and celebrations.

The next time temperatures rise and you're seeking the perfect refreshing drink, look no further than Cheers Liquor Mart to supply you with remarkable gins crafted right here in Colorado.

Visit Cheers Liquor Mart today to explore our extensive selection of Colorado gins and receive personalized recommendations from our knowledgeable staff. Your perfect summer sip awaits. Cheers!