American Distilling Institute’s (ADI) 10th Annual Craft Spirits Conference & Vendor Expo, April was held in Denver for the first time. The growth of craft distillers in Colorado in the past decade, which has gone from zero distillers to the current 41 licensed distillers in the state, is twice the national average.

In honor of Colorado distillers, the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel is serving samples and mixing specialty cocktails for guests at its 16Mix lounge during the entire month of April.  Colorado distillers being featured are: Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, 303 Vodka, Breckenridge Distilleries (Bourbon Whiskey, Vodka and Bitters), Montanya Rum and DownSlope Distilling (Double Diamond Whiskey, Cane Vodka and Gin).

Cocktail Recipes:

SIX CHAIR

1.5 oz Breckenridge Bourbon, .75 oz grapefruit and .5 Chase Elderflower liquor.  Shake briefly to combine and chill.  Pour over ice.

THE Devereaux

1 ounce Downslope  bourbon, .5 oz Chase elderflower, fresh juice from one lemon, .5 oz simple syrup, and abou5t 3 oz champagne.

STRANHATAN

2 oz Stranahans, .5 oz Carpano Antica Sweet vermouth, and a dash of bitters.  Garnished with a cherry

BLACKBERRY CRUSH

Muddle 4 blackberries, 1 table spoon lemon juice, and 1 table spoon simple syrup  in glass, fill with ice and club soda, garnish with a mint.

THE GINGER

1oz Breckenridge vodka, 1 table spoon simple syrup, juice from half of a lime.  Top with half cup ginger beer.  Garnish with Mint sprig.

BASIL BLASTER

1.5 OZ Cane Vodka, muddled basil, muddled lime, 1 table spoon simple syrup, 1 tbl spoon agave necatar, fill with club soda.

LUCKY LADY-  1 OZ platino rum, ½ squeezed lime, ½ squeezed lemon, 1-3 oz cranberry, splash of soda.

BITTERSWEET BRECK – Breckenridge bitters-1.5 oz bitters, 2 oz ginger soda over ice.  Squeeze orange slice into drink.