In preparation for St. Patrick’s Day, we at ACME Liquor Store have done some Irish Cream homework and we wanted to share the results with you. This was hard work testing these products. Haha!

Now, at their base, all Irish Cream Liqueurs contain whiskey, cream, and spices (chocolate, vanilla etc.). Since coffee kills the delicate taste nuances any will work great in that. However, if Irish Cream Liqueur will be a staple in your at-home bar, first things first, store in the fridge after opening – it’s cream after all! If you’re drinking it on the rocks or making more intricate cocktails, here are our tasting notes.

5 Farms – Our overall favorite, best balance of spices, real cream, and comes in a really cool bottle!

Hard Chaw – Best for whiskey lovers. Hard Chaw has a 25% ABV while other Irish Creams come in at 16 – 17%.

Coole Swan – Strong white chocolate notes, super creamy texture.

The Whistler – Strong cinnamon/warming spice notes. This could be especially good in hot chocolate!

St. Brendan – Notes of coconut, real cream, great price point.

Merry’s – Vanilla forward, great for those with a sweet tooth, and great price point.

Bailey’s – Yes, Bailey’s is to Irish Cream as Kleenex is to tissue, but it’s not the only one, nor is it the best. In fact, Bailey’s doesn’t even use fresh cream! Considering price, we put Bailey’s at the bottom of our list.

We have smaller bottles and even shooters of different varieties, so come in, grab a selection, and do an Irish Challenge of your own!

We’ve got all the ingredients for some marvelous Mardi Gras libations set aside for you. And, some specialty beers, too! Come see us and prepare for one of Crested Butte’s beloved holidays. Let the good times roll!

Sloe Gin Fizz

Ingredients:

1 oz. Bols Sloe Gin

1 oz. Malfy Gin

1 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice

¾ oz. Barsmith Simple Syrup, or to taste

Club Soda to Top

Garnish:  lemon twist and/or a cherry

1.  Add gins, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Shake.

3. Strain over ice in a Collins glass.

4. Top with club soda.

5.  Garnish and enjoy!

Purple Haze

Ingredients:

6 oz. Sakemoto Sake, chilled

1 oz. Chambord Raspberry Liqueur

1.  Pour ingredients into a chilled carafe.

2.  Gently swirl or stir.

3.  Pour from carafe into individual glasses.

4.  Enjoy!

Vieux Carré

Ingredients:

¾ oz. Hoover’s Revenge Whiskey

¾ oz. B & B Liqueur

¾ oz. Poli Gran Bassano Sweet Vermouth

4 dashes Fee Brothers Regular Bitters

Traverse City Cocktail Cherries

1.  Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker with ice.

2.  Stir.

3.  Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

4.  Garnish with a cherry.

5.  Enjoy!

Valentine's Day Sale 💖

15% off certain social lubricants February 11th - 18th

Social Lubricant according to Urban Dictionary:

Noun: liquor of any form that induces intoxication and social lubrication (i.e., outgoing and gregarious behavior)

I gotta hit the social lubricant before kickin' it at the club.

#beer #alcohol #wine #liquor #shots

Whatever you want to call it, we chose a few of our favorites and will have them on sale for you before, during and after Valentine’s Day so you can celebrate with friends, your main squeeze or ignore the holiday and just take advantage of a sale on some good booze!

Feeling it from last night’s festivities? We have just the cure!

A super basic, no-fail Bloody Mary.

Who wants to mess with all the toppings and garnish when your head is pounding? Not us! But bacon- that’s a necessity. Grease + Protein + Amazing Bloody Mix + A Decent Vodka = Bye Bye Hangover.

We recommend throwing a package of thick cut bacon in the oven at 375 on a foil-lined tray for about 12-15 min (keep an eye on it and check every couple of minutes after 12 min). Once the bacon is as crisp or floppy as you like and has cooled just a a bit, be sure to lay your bacon on a few paper towels to catch the excess grease.

While the bacon is cooking, grab some ice and fill nearly to the rim, and pour in your vodka of choice. Next, be sure to shake your mix really well before opening, then pour ‘til about 3/4 full (to leave room for the bacon!). Don’t forget to mix or stir. If you’re feeling extra lazy, just grab a butter knife and give it a swirl.

For this recipe we went with Monopolowa Vodka and Michelada and Bloody Maria Mix. The Bloody Maria Mix has just the right amount of spice for most and brings a thick, homemade feel to your Bloody. Add pepper and hot sauce of choice if you need more kick.

Once the bacon is finished and the grease has been patted off, chop a few slices into bits and add to your mix along with a strip or two and enjoy!

December 3rd - 10th at Acme Liquor Store in Crested Butte, Colorado.

Take advantage of these crazy sales for Holiday Gifts and Parties!