For good reason, we talk a lot about how Golden is Colorado's biggest little beer town, but one of the most often over-looked, yet decidedly awesome parts of our community is our local distilling.
Meet State-38 Distilling
As stated on their website, State 38 Distilling only uses Fair Trade, Colorado Department of Agriculture Certified Organic Raw Blue Agave for their five agave spirits. With the launch of their new "Damn Good" series, we couldn't help but recommend a few awesome Holiday-inspired cocktails using State 38's great new liquors.
#1: Damn Good Jolly, Gin, and Juice
While the classic Gin and Juice may be a staple at some parties, generally this cocktail is nothing to sing about. State 38's take on this classic, however, not only creates a drink rich in flavor but also adds an aesthetic that can serve as the centerpiece to any holiday gathering.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Damn Good Gin
- Cranberry Juice
- Squeeze of Lemon
- Fresh Cranberries + Mint for garnish
Fill sugar-rimmed glass with ice. Add gin and lemon juice. Top with cranberry juice and stir. Garnish with fresh cranberries and mint.
#2: Damn Good Cranberry Mule
According to a 1948 article in the New York Herald Tribune, it was a meeting between Cock 'n' Bull Restaurant president John A. Morgan and Smirnoff president Rudolph Kunett, in a Manhattan bar that served as the origin for the prestigious "Moscow Mule". Since then, mixologists everywhere have been having their own fun creating the large variety of Mules we see today. 70 years later, in the little town of Golden, a new Mule is born.
Ingredients:
- 1 Part Damn Good Vodka
- 1 Part Cranberry Juice
- 2 Parts Ginger Beer
- 1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
- Lime wedges, fresh cranberries, and rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional)
Mix vodka, cranberry juice and lime juice in a mule mug with ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with lime, cranberries and rosemary.
#3: Damn Good Yuletide Nog
Sometimes it's the simple things, like a warm home, happy family, and the first winter snow that make a holiday great and this recipe is no exception. So sit back, relax, and make this simple cocktail. You've earned it.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Damn Good Vodka
- 1 oz. Eggnog
Fill shaker with ice and shake. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with nutmeg and star anise.
All of these great spirits can be purchased at liquor stores all around Colorado (and even in Nevada and Tennessee!). For a full, comprehensive list of where you can find State 38 products, check out the list below!
