There’s nothing much better than a homemade key lime pie — besides A KEY LIME PIE MARTINI 🍸

INGREDIENTS⁠ ⬇️⁠
2 ounces vanilla vodka
1/2 ounce key lime juice or regular lime juice
2 tablespoons Coco Real cream of coconut
1 ounce pineapple juice
1 ounce heavy cream
Graham cracker crumbs

DIRECTIONS⁠ ⬇️⁠

-Rim a cocktail glass with the graham cracker crumbs.
-Fill a martini shaker with ice and put all the other ingredients in it.
-Shake thoroughly and strain into a chilled martini glass.
-Garnish with a wheel of lime or a lime twist.

*chef’s 💋*

As promised, here is your Thursday fall cocktail recipe!⁠ ⁠
⁠
We really enjoy the magic of fall and our main goal is to ensure that we can add a little extra spark to your season! ⁠

Today we want to highlight Knob Creek and their "New Fashioned" ⁠cocktail.

INGREDIENTS⁠ ⬇️⁠

1 PART Knob Creek® Bourbon Whiskey⁠

1/2 PART amaretto⁠

1/4 PART simple syrup⁠

3 DASHES bitters⁠ 1 orange peel⁠ ⁠

DIRECTIONS⁠ ⬇️⁠

In a shaker with ice, stir in all the ingredients.⁠ Strain into rocks glass to serve neat and chilled.⁠ Garnish with a sliver of orange peel.⁠

Now, that IS the epitome of “neat”! For other cocktail ideas using Knob Creek spirits, visit their website.

(We’re stoked to try the Bacon Old Fashioned next!!)

As promised, here is your Thursday fall cocktail recipe!⁠ ⁠
⁠
We really enjoy the magic of fall and our main goal is to ensure that we can add a little extra spark to your experience! ⁠
⁠
Check out this an amazing recipe from our new fave Colorado Cream, found on their website, called “S’More Colorado Cream Please.”

Colorado Cream -- Dreams do come true. 💞⁠
⁠Colorado Cream was inspired by adventure and of course, is made in Colorado. Read more here.

Ingredients ⬇️
Graham crackers
Marshmallows
Chocolate sauce
⁠
Directions ⬇️
Crush graham crackers on the bottom of a coffee mug, add a layer of marshmallows and chocolate sauce, drizzle 3 oz of Colorado Cream on top!

Enjoy your sweet, boozy, fall treat! 🎃😋👻
⁠

As promised, here is your Thursday fall cocktail recipe!⁠ ⁠
⁠
We really enjoy the magic of fall and our main goal is to ensure that we can add a little extra spark to your experience! ⁠
⁠
Check out this Fall Old Fashioned w/ infused bourbon!⁠

⁠Ingredients for the infused bourbon:⁠
⁠2 cups bourbon⁠
1 whole star anise⁠
2 whole cinnamon sticks⁠
12 whole cloves⁠
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise⁠
⁠
Directions for infusing:⁠
Place bourbon and spices in a glass jar with a lid. ⁠
Allow infusing for 24 hours, shaking occasionally. Strain the bourbon into a clean jar. (This makes enough for 8 cocktails)⁠
⁠
For the Old Fashioned (makes one cocktail):⁠
⁠2 teaspoons maple syrup⁠
1 teaspoon of water⁠
4 dashes of angostura aromatic bitters⁠
2 ounces infused bourbon⁠
Ice⁠
Orange peel⁠
⁠
Directions for the cocktail:⁠
Add the maple syrup, water, and bitters to the bottom of an old-fashioned glass. Add the ice and the bourbon, and stir for about 30 seconds.⁠ Garnish with orange peel, and drink up!

Read more about the history of the Old Fashioned here!

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!

Yeah, you read that right. While so many brown spirits are taking center stage on these long, cold eves, we want to remind everyone about the joys of junipery gin this winter. While OF COURSE you are allowed to drink icy gin and tonics all year long, here are a few other ideas for a most favorite of clear spirits.

Warm Gin & Tonic

Ingredients:

PC: Peach Street Distillers Facebook

1.5 oz gin (Try Peach Street Distillers Jackelope Gin!)

1 oz tonic syrup

.5 oz sugar syrup

Directions:

1. Pour gin, tonic syrup, and sugar syrup into a glass of your choice. Use a bar spoon to combine these ingredients.

2. Pour hot water over the top, tasting occasionally to see whether or not the ratio is right for you.

3. If you would like, you can then garnish this hot take on a gin and tonic with a lemon twist or an orange wheel.

OR, try splashing a wee bit of gin in your hot toddy or hot chocolate. We promise, it’s good!

Here’s a fun one called the Golden Purl…(why does that make us think of Greek gods or Pirates of the Caribbean?? Anyway…)

Ingredients

• 1 cup cider

• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

• 1.5 oz gin

• 2 dashes orange bitters

• Garnish: orange peel

Directions

1. Heat up the cider on the stove until hot, then stir in the maple syrup until it dissolves.

2. Pour into a mug, add the gin, and stir.

3. Top with the bitters.

4. Garnish with an orange peel.

5. Mmmm, sip slowly (it might be hot!) and let it warm your insides.

More info about Peach Street Distillers’ ginny gin gin:

“Hand-picked juniper berries from the high desert of Colorado’s western slope are infused in our Armangac Gin still to create the heart of our Gin series.

This is a grain based spirit of barley, wheat, and corn. After making vodka we pull some aside to make batches of gin.
After macerating the botanicals…
-lemon and lime zest
-coriander
-Angelica
-orris root
-cinnamon
-licorice root
-bunch of juniper berries
…we distill the botanicals in the still with the vodka.
Notes of lemon and lime are up front and easy to find.
Finishing in juniper makes it obviously gin.
The middle is filled with cinnamon and coriander for a bright spice that’s easy to drink on ice or in your favorite cocktail!”

We hope you’ll try some of these, and let us know in the comments what you thought!

St Patrick's Day. The Car Bomb, aka An Irish Car Bomb, Irish Slammer, Irish Bomb Shot, or Dublin Drop is a cocktail, similar to a boilermaker, made by dropping a bomb shot of Irish cream and whiskey into a glass of stout.

We might have had a little too much fun coming up with these variations on all things Car Bomb. Check out our best Irish Car Bomb Recipes below and get what you need in the cocktail corner at Acme Liquor Store in Crested Butte, Colorado!

The Classic Irish Car Bomb

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ounce Irish whiskey

• 1/2 ounce Baileys Irish cream

• Guinness beer

Directions:

1. Add the Baileys and whiskey into a shot glass, pouring slowly as to create a layered effect.

2. Drop the shot into a pint glass filled half to three-quarters of the way with the Guinness.

3. Chug and enjoy!

The Classic 2.0

Ingredients:

½ oz. The Whistler Irish Cream

½ oz. The Whistler Irish Whiskey

½ can Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout

Directions:

1. Pour stout into two pint glasses.

2. Create two layered shots.

3. Gently drop the shot glass (slide down the side) into the pint glass.

4. Chug and enjoy!

The Connor McGregor

Ingredients:

• ½ oz. Blo Liqueur

• ½ oz. Proper 12 Irish Whiskey

• ½ bottle Sam Smith’s Chocolate Stout

Directions:

1. Pour stout into two pint glasses.

2. Create two layered shots.

3. Gently drop the shot glass (slide down the side) into the pint glass.

4. Chug and enjoy!

Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Ingredients:

• ½ oz. Rum Chata

• ½ oz. Outlaw Red Cinnamon Whiskey

• ½ can Untitled Art/Angry Chair Loaded French Toast Imperial Stout

Directions:

1. Pour stout into two pint glasses.

2. Create two layered shots.

3. Gently drop the shot glass (slide down the side) into the pint glass.

4. Chug and enjoy!

Slo & Low Gin Fizz

Ingredients:

• 1oz Bols Slo Gin

• 1oz Beefeater Gin

• 4oz Centr Sparkling CBD

• 1 lemon wedge

Directions:

1. Fill a Collins Glass with ice

2. Add ingredients and stir

3. Garnish with lemon wedge

4. Enjoy!

Suggested Pairing: Beastie Boys, Slow and Low:

Looking for that just right cocktail for your next celebration, party, or fancy date night in? The Cava Mule blends the best of a Moscow Mule (the ginger flavor!) with the dry sparkle of Brut. Give it a try and let us know what you think!

Cava Mule AKA: Gilbert & Ernest

Ingredients:

1 oz. Marble Distillery Gingercello Reserve

3 oz. 1 + 1 = 3 Cava, chilled (or other dry sparkling wine)

1 Luxardo Cherry

Directions:

1. Pour Gingercello into flute

2. Add Cava

3. Drop in a Cherry

4. Enjoy!

Alternative Garnish: Serve with a lime wedge instead of a cherry.

Mid week boozy hot chocolate? Yup, 2020 isn’t going anywhere anytime soon (yes we just referred to 2020 as a mood, it’s a thing now). In case you haven’t looked out your window today there is just a little snow on the ground. . . and it’s the second snow day for the district in 30 some odd years. So get you some of this boozy hot coco and go back to bed or break out your nordic skis and fat bikes!

Photo: Gunnison Regional 911

• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped (or hot coco mix, we like Camp 4’s!)

• 6 ounces milk, heated

• 1 1/2 ounce spirit of choice (we suggest Telluride Distributing’s Chairlift Warmer Peppermint Schnapps, but you do you!)

• Garnish: mini marshmallows or giant ones, we won’t judge

Put the chopped chocolate into your fav mug. Pour the hot milk into the mug and let stand for 2 minutes, then stir with a spoon until smooth. Pour in the spirit of your choice and stir to combine. Garnish with mini marshmallows. Curl up by your fire and enjoy the view!

Shoooo-eeee do we have a recipe for YOU!

Make the chix ahead, and take it camping with you!⁠ ⁠

Ingredients:

3 - 4 med chicken breasts⁠

1 jar of The Real Dill Green Chile Hot Sauce (available here at Acme!)

Tequila (50 ml shooter, optional) (also available here at Acme, but we bet you knew that)⁠

Tortillas⁠

Shredded cheese⁠

Avocado⁠

Directions:⁠

Add chicken breasts (frozen or thawed) to your slow cooker. ⁠ ⁠

Add entire jar of Green Chile Hot Sauce and tequila (optional). ⁠ ⁠

Cook on high 6 hours, or on low 8 hours, or however your slow cooker works for chicken breasts.⁠ ⁠

Once done, shred chicken. Transfer chicken to container. ⁠ ⁠ Chill. (We mean put the chicken in the fridge. Alternatively, you can relax after your hard work.)⁠ ⁠

Reheat while camping over the stove, over the fire, however you want.⁠ ⁠

Serve with tortillas, shredded cheese, avocado. You really don't need anything else.⁠ ⁠ A side of beans and rice, or Mexican Coleslaw (stay tuned for recipe!), or whatever you think would be good, too. ⁠ ⁠

Let us know how yours turned out!⁠

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Yeah, yeah, beer, spiked seltzers, wine, and even mixed drinks in a can are fine and easy options for life in the tent or camper, but some of us want to get a little more fancy. Here are some ideas for super easy cocktails to make out under the sky and stars. These simple recipes require just two ingredients – perfect for that trip to the recently reopened campground, river bend, or pocket of public land.

Paloma

Known as the poor man’s margarita, this refreshing Mexican favorite is whipped up in a flash. Simply combine grapefruit soda (try Jarritos) and tequila and top it off with a quick squeeze of tangy lime. Perfection: achieved.

Cuba Libre

Sure, it’s your classic rum and Coke, but it just sounds more fun this way. After a long day at the office or too much fun in the sun, nothing beats this classic pick-me up. Sweet and refreshing, having a few of these ensures you’ll be awake for every story told around the campfire tonight.

Whiskey Ginger

Rarely does a whiskey-ginger not hit the spot. Found the perfect campsite? Keep it easy. Top off a smooth bourbon with a splash of spicy ginger ale - or better yet, ginger beer – and focus your attention on the spectacular sunset that’s about to unfold.  

Whatever your adventures entail, ditch the PBR (since we’re having a hard time stocking these right now anyway) and give one of these libations a go – without taking time away from a night under the stars. Because after all, that’s what camping is made for.

We are so excited to share this super versatile, Western-Slope-Inspired cocktail! It is the ultimate transitional cocktail for these Indian-Summer-not-quite-fall-yet days. Drawing inspiration from fruits that love to mix seasons, this Colorado cocktail is easy to make and a great crowd pleaser for your fall gatherings!

Western Slope Mash Up

1. Pick your poison. We prefer this one with bourbon but think it would work perfectly with vodka as well. If you are throwing a party let the guests pick their fave.

2. Slice your fruit. We went with peaches from Big B’s, but this recipe will work great with apples, raspberries, plums, apricots, pears, etc. Don’t be afraid to experiment; just about any fall fruit (or combo) will do the trick.

3. Poor 2 oz of bourbon or vodka into a glass filled with ice.

4. Drop in your fruit.

5. Top with mint, lavender, honey drizzle, and seltzer of choice (we went with orange). You can do all of the above or pick your favorite combo and mix and match. We got our culinary lavender from Lamborn Mountain Farmstead.

Here’s the thing y’all: this cocktail can be as basic or fancy as you like!

Want to step it up a notch? Just a few modifications will make this great cocktail your new FAVORITE cocktail!

Here’s how to level this cocktail up:

Go with a nicer bourbon or vodka. Next time you’re in Acme, be sure to let us know what your go-to is and ask us for the next step up. The secret to an amazing cocktail is to start with amazing ingredients.

Next, after you slice your fruit go ahead and muddle it. Yep, we just went there and no you don’t have to have a mortar and pestle or a muddler (but they do work well). A bowl and spoon or fork will work just fine.

Now here is the real icing on the cake - creating a sugar lavender rim! We are going to skip the lime and use a slice of fruit to wet the rim, then dip and spin your glass into a bowl of Sugar in the Raw with a sprinkle of that culinary lavender mixed in. Now add your ice, muddled fruit, booze, and top with your flavored soda water, mint, and 1-2 pieces of whole fruit, and be prepared to wow your taste buds and your guests!

If you make your own spin on this recipe we’d love to hear about it. Tag us on IG at @acmeliquorstore .

It’s summer! This is a tasty, incredibly easy thirst quencher!

SANGRIA comes from the word sangre (Spanish for blood)—pertaining not only to the color of wine used in the traditional red sangria, but also reflecting a strong Spanish identity. Every house has its own blend of ‘secret’ ingredients. The variation of flavors and styles depends greatly on the specific region the sangria is from, as well as the particular taste of the person making it. A staple of Spanish tables, especially in the summer season, it’s a way to enjoy the flavorful bounty of harvest all year long.

Begonia Sangria

“If life hands you lemons, put them in your sangria!”

Pour one can of Begonia Sangria over ice.

Garnish with orange twists and other fresh summer fruit!

THAT’S IT!

But, such a beautiful cocktail for yourself and your guests!

An authentic Spanish recipe going back two generations

BEGONIA SANGRIA is one of the few premium sangrias produced in Spain. All of its ingredients are natural and of high quality. The spices macerate with the wine, same method as producing artisanal vermouth. The fruit flavors come from a natural extraction of the essence of the oranges. No chemicals or artificial flavoring is used. Lastly, this sangria is not pasteurized making its wine flavors more apparent and fresh.

It’s summer! Which means gin & tonics, err, gin and arugulas??

Arugula might not be the first ingredient that comes to mind when making cocktails; however, we promise that it’s peppery green flavor works perfectly in this refreshing summer sipper. 

Honey on my Mind

“Once you taste the sweet honey, you want more of that.”

— Garbine Muguruza

Ingredients:

• CopperMuse Gin with Hibiscus 

• Muddled Arugula

• Lime

• Honey Simple Syrup

The rosy color of our gin is from hibiscus flowers. CopperMuse Gin with Hibiscus is a delicate and drinkable gin.

Yeah, yeah, yeah we know- pretty much EVERY day is Star Wars Day. But, it’s still fun to have one day set aside to nerd out about all things from that galaxy far, far away. "May the 4th be with you." What started as pun warmly shared by fans has become a full-fledged Star Wars holiday. So, come on by Acme Liquor and grab the ingredients for one, or all, of these out-of-this-world cocktails!

The “Drink Me, You Will”

1 1⁄2 oz Calvados

1 oz Apple cider

1⁄2 oz Sage simple syrup*

1⁄2 oz Fresh lemon juice

6 Basil leaves

Garnish: Sage leaves

Add all the ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake.

Strain into Martini glass.

Garnish with 2 fresh sage leaves.

*Sage simple syrup: Heat 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water together over medium-low heat, stirring often, until dissolved. Allow to cool. Transfer to an airtight container, add 8 sage leaves, cut in half, and steep overnight. Remove in the morning.

The “Death Star”

1 oz Jägermeister

1 oz Gentleman Jack Tennessee whiskey

1 oz Grey Goose vodka

1 oz Triple sec

2 oz Sour mix

2 oz Coca-Cola

Add all the ingredients in a Collins glass over ice and stir.

The “Java the Hutt”

1 1⁄2 oz Cutwater Fugu horchata vodka

2 oz Cold-brew coffee

1⁄2 oz Half-and-half

1⁄4 oz Giffard white crème de cacao liqueur

1⁄2 oz Simple syrup

Garnish: Cinnamon sugar

Add all the ingredients into a shaker and dry-shake (without ice) for 5 seconds.

Add ice, and shake again until well-chilled.

Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice.

Garnish with 1 pinch of cinnamon sugar.

We’d love to hear how your Star Wars day was! Did you need to use the Force to make these cocktails?? Or, did you create something new?

(Thanks to the folks at Liquor.com for their stellar ideas!)

Planning a Spring Fling, or perhaps a May Day or Mother’s Day event?

This recipe is sure to please!

“I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade...And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party. ”

— Ron White

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar

• 12 sprigs rosemary

• 3 cups ruby-red grapefruit juice

• 1 1/2 cups Prairie Organic Vodka

• 3/4 teaspoon Fees Grapefruit Bitters

• ice cubes

Preparation:

In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup water, the sugar, and 6 rosemary sprigs to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until the liquid is clear, about 5 minutes. Let cool; discard the rosemary.

In a pitcher, combine the grapefruit juice, vodka, bitters and 3/4 cup rosemary-sugar syrup. Pour into 6 rocks glasses filled with ice cubes and garnish each with a rosemary sprig.

Well, the forecast is a calling for another “bomb cyclone” weather event,

but we’re planning for spring cocktails anyway!

“Fortunately there is gin, the sole glimmer in this darkness.
Do you feel the golden, copper-coloured light it kindles in you? I like walking through the city of an evening in the warmth of gin. ”

— Albert Camus

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves

• 1 tablespoon agave syrup

• 3 tablespoons gin

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 1/2 cup seltzer

• Crushed ice

• Lemon, lime and orange zest strips

Method:

Add mint and agave to a short glass; muddle gently. Stir in gin and lemon juice. Stir in seltzer and fill with ice. Garnish with zest strips.

This recipe incorporates a healthy dose of cucumber and aloe vera.

It’s perfect for some post-sun hydration.

“When making a version of this maritime classic, we distill each component, including juniper, coriander, cardamom, and Bergamot, individually before bringing them together, creating a bold, and aromatic gin that will shine in any mixed drink. The term navy strength was bestowed by the British Royal Navy only on those gins high enough in proof to still render gunpowder flammable should it be drenched by the spirit.”

— The Fine Folks @ Leopold Bros. Spirits

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Leopold Brother's Navy Gin

• 2 oz aloe vera Juice

• 1/2 oz simple syrup

• 3 slices cucumber

• Squeeze of fresh lime

Method:

• Muddle cucumber and simple syrup.

• Add other ingredients and shake well.

• Strain and serve up in a cocktail glass.

• Garnish with a cucumber slice.

An authentic Colorado Mule featuring Telluride Whiskey & Infuse Bitters made with Saranac Ginger Beer .

We love Moscow Mules here in Crested Butte, Colorado - but we like to do them just a little bit differently.

At Acme Liquor Store we special order Saranac Ginger Beer out of New York. Once you taste it you’ll understand why!

“Legend has it that Ginger Beer heals the soul and cures your ailments . . . Saranac Ginger Beer will make you stand up and take notice! We use “tons of ginger” for an effervescent and slightly tart and snappy taste. Mix it, drink it, do whatever- you’ll love the real “ginger snap” that makes our Saranac Ginger Beer excitingly refreshing.”

— The Fine Folks @ Saranac Brewing

Photo Credit: Telluride Brewing Company

If you prefer your Mules with vodka, we won’t judge. Just be sure to choose Telluride Vodka - it’s worth it! And, don’t forget the bitters. We suggest Infuse’s Ginger Bitters for that extra ginger love!

Photo Credit: Infuse Bitters

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces Colorado Telluride Whiskey or Vodka

• 6 ounces Saranac Diet Ginger Beer

• 4 drops Infuse Spirits Ginger Bitters

Method:

• Garnish with a fresh lime

• Serve over ice, and enjoy!