When the scorching hot weather of summer gives way to slightly more tolerable fall temperatures, it’s time to usher in another gloriously beautiful fall in Boulder County.
Celebrate and welcome fall with these scrumptious cocktails at Boulder’s restaurants below.
The kitchen: La Luz de Flores
1039 Pearl Street in Boulder
(303) 544-5973
thekitchenbistros.com
La Luz de Flores is a fun, seasonal twist on a classic coin-style margarita. “Taking its name from Pablo Neruda’s Sonnet XVII, this drink celebrates one of my favorite spirits: Genepy,” says Lex Madden, head bartender at The Kitchen. “Bitter, herbaceous and floral, Genepy is absolutely perfect for warm weather, and this drink offers a wonderful introduction to the alpine spirit, as mezcal and tequila play beautifully against the wildflower notes.”
By replacing the Cointreau found in a traditional coin-style marg with the Genepy, Madden says she was able to create a margarita that’s both floral and lemony. “It’s light, refreshing, and tastes just as good on a snowy spring day as it does on a sunny, hot afternoon,” she says.
Local pizzeria: Negroni
1730 Perlenstr. in Boulder
(303) 442-3003
Localeboulder.com
Inspired by the famous pizzerias of Naples, Pizzeria Locale brings a slice of southern Italy to Pearl Street – with Napoletana-style pizzas, a regional Italian wine list and a selection of Amaro-based spritzers and cocktails. For a classic Italian order, opt for Negroni. “It’s a super refreshing spring and summer cocktail that embodies our pizzeria and goes really well with the menu,” says Will Lewis, general manager of Pizzeria Locale Boulder.
Swaylo’s Tiki Restaurant and Bar: Vanillakilla
1315 Dry Creek Dr in Longmont
(303) 651-0527
www.swaylostiki.com
It’s always summer at the new Swaylo’s Tiki Restaurant and Bar, which opened in a former outback steakhouse restaurant in Longmont. Here, you can pair dishes like mahi-mahi tacos, braised banana leaf pork, and mango-tempura fried shrimp with delicious tropical cocktails served in Instagram-worthy glasses (think: the Rum Junglebird, served in a pink flamingo glass) . A must-try here is the vanillakilla, which is a nod to the classic painkiller cocktail. “We wanted to add another layer to play with the spiciness of the nutmeg and the sweetness of the coconut and pineapple,” says beverage director Matt Grimes. “We added whole Madagascar vanilla pods to a cognac cask aged rum and loved the extra layer it brings to this cocktail. It’s become an instant favorite.”
T-Zero in St. Julien: Isla Diablo
900 Walnut Street in Boulder
(720) 406-7399
stjulien.com/eat-drink/jill’s-restaurant-and-bistro-new
Fun fact: Two bee colonies live on the roof of the St Julien Hotel and Spa, with each hive housing between 20,000 and 60,000 bees depending on the time of year. The hives can produce honey for the hotel’s bar program, and a guest favorite is the Isla Diablo, a tequila cocktail made with fresh pineapple and lime juice, a dash of tiki bitters, and a dollop of roof honey. When palisade peaches are in season, the bar contains palisade peaches. Isla Diablo is so popular that it’s often used as the signature cocktail for St Julien weddings.
Frasca Food and Wine: Frasca Gimlet
1738 Perlenstr. in Boulder
(303) 442-6966
frascafoodandwine.com
The Frasca Gimlet is a classic gin gimlet with a fresh, Italian twist. It contains Dimmi (a floral Italian herbal liqueur) and a drop of celery bitters to let the botanical notes in the gin shine. “The light green color of this drink is achieved by adding just a hint of mushy peas to the simple syrup, which also enhances the botanical flavors,” says Margaret Leidenfrost, bar manager at Frasca Food and Wine.
