Get cozy this winter in Glenwood Springs with warming drinks that taste delicious and chase away the chills. From craft beer to classy cocktails, there is something for everyone at bars, restaurants and attractions in the hot springs town.
Glenwood Springs has the perfect recipe for a warm and wonderful winter vacation. It begins with dipping in the resort town’s thermal springs and finishes with sipping scrumptious drinks.
For starters, give winter chills the boot with a soothing soak at Glenwood Hot Springs Pool and Iron Mountain Hot Springs or take a natural steam bath at Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves. Like a great, big diverse menu, each of Glenwood’s geothermal attractions offers a variety of experiences for turning up the heat.
While Glenwood’s three hot springs amenities are centrally located and easy to find, knowing where to go for lively libations is less obvious. From the valley floor to the mountaintop, we’ve scoped out and sampled some of the best concoctions on offer. Each one is tasty and guaranteed to keep the internal fires burning even on the coldest winter days.
Hazelnut Chocolate Martini
Hotel Colorado Restaurant & Bar – Mr. 007, James Bond, may prefer the classic Vesper martini, but come winter we recommend the unbeatable flavor combination of chocolate and hazelnut. Made with Vanjak Vodka infused with vanilla bean, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, Frangelico and chocolate Hershey’s Syrup, not only is this drink a stunning sight, but it’s also lovely to drink.
Cranberry Hot Toddy
Hotel Colorado Restaurant & Bar – This winter cocktail was once prescribed by physicians as medicine. Though doctors may frown on the practice these days, a toddy is delicious and invites creativity. Hotel Colorado’s version substitutes bourbon for whiskey and tops it off with a cranberry flourish in addition to honey and lemon.
Vanilla Americano
Casey’s Brewing Taproom – When making beer, award-winning brewer and owner Troy Casey often collaborates with other locals who esteem high-quality ingredients. For the Vanilla Americano, he partnered with Bonfire Coffee to provide the roasted beans that bring this beer to life. To complement the coffee notes, he also included whole Madagascar and Brazilian vanilla, rich oats, caramel and roasted rye malts to make this stout that’s ideal for winter enjoyment.
Fruitstand Marionberry with Vanilla
Casey’s Brewing Taproom – A sour beer that harkens back to Casey’s early days of brewing, Fruitstand is a classic in the making. It features sweet marionberries from the Pacific Northwest and fresh, whole Madagascar vanilla. Comforting and tasty, try this jammy and creamy craft beer after a day of skiing or riding at Sunlight Mountain Resort.
- Bonus Tasting Note: Learn more about brewing techniques throughout 2023 with Casey Brewing experiences, starting in January with the Magnum Experience. Each experience is designed to educate aficionados about the art of creating flavorful beers. Casey will be hosting each experience at the Casey Barrel Cellar, where he will offer tastings, explain his process and break down each beer as it has aged over time.
Turtle Hot Chocolate
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park – Channel your inner explorer all winter long on rides like the Alpine Coaster and during cave tours at the mountaintop theme park. Keep the fun going, even when you take a break, with a warming adult beverage. Classic hot chocolate gets a grown-up makeover with the addition of butterscotch schnapps. Topped with whipped cream, chocolate and caramel syrup, you’ll be toasty and ready for more action and adventure in no time.
Spiked Apple Cider with Stoneyard Distillery Fire Spirit
Iron Mountain Hot Springs – Feel the heat and fan the flames of your internal fire with this drink that combines sweet apple cider with cinnamon spirits made from beet sugar. Stoneyard Distillery is located in nearby Dotsero with a tasting room in Glenwood Springs. Their handcrafted spirits are featured at bars, restaurants and attractions throughout the town.
Jazzerac
Smoke Modern Barbeque – A spin on the classic Sazerac, a New Orleans drink staple dating back to 1838. It was invented by an apothecary owner named Antoine Peychaud. The entrepreneur also created Peychaud Bitters originally as a digestive aid for his customers, but now the herby mixture is used as a flavoring in cocktails. Smoke’s version includes bitters, along with Knobb Creek bourbon and Absente 110, an anise flavored liquor.
Bourbon and Whiskey
Smoke Modern Barbeque – There’s nothing like a simple glass of bourbon, served neat or straight, to give you a feeling of coziness on a blustery evening. Check out Smoke’s impressive wall of offerings behind the bar. You’ll see connoisseur favorites like Jefferson’s Small Batch, Basil Hayden and Angel’s Envy, as well harder-to-find options like Eagle Rare and WhistlePig Rye.
Warm up to winter in Glenwood Springs with the perfect mix of soaking and sipping. Learn more and make plans to visit today!
