2024 Tri-Lakes Guide – Drink
With a variety of places to choose from to relax and have a drink at the end of the day, what separates each of them from each other is their signature drinks.
A signature drink is any unique or original drink which expresses the nature of the person or establishment creating it. Many signature drinks often incorporate local ingredients and culture of the area from which the creator or establishment is located and can be fashioned or designed to represent a theme of flavor or colors.
With a handful of the establishments in the Tri-Lakes region brewing and distilling key ingredients like beers, gin, moonshine and others, one doesn’t have to look far to find a signature drink menu with multiple something unique and special upon them.
Signature Cocktails & Brews
Ever since Trails End Taproom, located at 252 Front Street in downtown Monument, opened its second location in the Tri-Lakes area, some of its available self-serve taps are most popular in several areas, owner Kevin Weese said.
“We have signature cocktails including our Monument Mule that is our best selling and version of whiskey on tap,” he said.
In addition, the taproom features a run of at least two ciders which are gluten free lines and concentrate on some of the best breweries in the state for the rest of the establishment’s tabs, Weese said.
Hardly anyone in the area can speak about local watering places without mentioning 3 Hundred Days of Shine. Not only is its tucked-away location, at 279 Beacon Hill Road, Suite G, it offers a menu of home-made and historically based creations but also its creations can be found in most liquor stores in and outside the region.
With this, 3 Hundred Days of Shine has become highly known for its Old Fashioned, made from its single barrel 2-year aged Colorado Shine, owner and U.S. Army veteran Michael Girard said. Last year alone, the establishment sold over 4,000.
“We pride ourselves on making one of the best Old Fashioneds in Colorado,” Girard said. “Simple, elegant whiskey, forward taste with a hint of cherry and cinnamon and no muddled fruit. If you want a fruit salad, go to a restaurant. You want a smooth Old Fashioned cocktail with the unique one-of-a-kind flavor only made from barrel-aged traditional Colorado Moonshine, we got you covered.”
With only being softly open since Feb. 21, one the Monument’s newest establishments, at 491 Hwy 105, Local Landing elevates the word “local” with its menu of “signature sippers.” Not only does the menu feature 10 options for a variety of sweet, spicy or minty creations, among others, each named with easily accessible identifiable localities from the area, these items also help support the community.
“We started with the names first and the cocktails afterwards,” manager Samantha Chirochiello said of creating the menu. “We had a lot of fun with them, trial running everything to get them perfect with our flavors and garnishes. It was so much fun.”
A percentage of each drink from Local Landing’s Signature Sippers menu are accumulated every month and donated to local organizations, and the list of benefactors rotate each month.
Arguably one of the menu’s prettiest is the Spruce Mtn. Spritzer, a Hendricks Gin creation with cucumber slices, lime juice, simple syrup, tonic water and a sprig of rosemary for a refreshing delight.
The Pikes Peak Brewing Company in Monument offers a large array of brews from within its walls. Located at 1756 Lake Woodmoor Drive, several locally-themed concoctions there include the 38 Faces Pineapple Milkshake IPA (India Pale Ale), the Ascent, a single hop cascading pale ale with subtle citrus notes, another that is a classic west coast American pale ale with hints of citrus and pine called the Elephant Rock as well as the Mountain Fog, which offers a dry hopped hazy Imperial IPA made with English yeast, among many, many others on tap.
Whether one enjoys smooth and strong, or malty and hoppy, all of the ingredients used in the creations in house at Black Forest Brewing Company often come from people who reside in the Tri-Lakes community. Located in the woods of Black Forest, the brewery also offers a selection of tap brews created in house and boasts something for everyone.
The Palmer Lake Pub, a veteran-owned stop for drinks and eats located at 876 Hwy 105 between Monument and Palmer Lake, has also carved itself a niche for signature drinks. For a different take on the Bloody Mary, the pub offers a BBQ Whiskey Bloody Mary garnished with the traditional celery stalk but also a cut of pickle, a green olive, a grape tomato and a strip of crispy bacon.
Along with classic mules and three eclectic margaritas, Palmer Lake Pub will on occasion offer shot and drink specials, concoctions created in honor of a special event, like the Golden Nugget, with Jack Daniels honey, amaretto and Skrewball peanut butter whiskey, garnished with whipped cream, to help cheer and celebrate the historical championship run of the Denver Nuggets.
While signature drinks are a must have for any watering hole, another feature which has become a trend over recent years are flights. A flight is a selection of different drinks like wine, beer or alcohol which can be composed of different varieties, styles and vintages, served in smaller glasses.
Not only does Palmer Lake Pub offer a special menu from which patrons can build your own whiskey flight with 13 different whiskey options from which to choose. In addition, since moving away from the 3 Margaritas brand, Paulo and Lulu Villaseñor’s newly branded Tequila Village in Monument features a margarita flight with Midori, peach and strawberry as well as special flights designed to also celebrate events like the Super Bowl.
For a different kind of experience with a tasty whistle-wetter in hand, Blo Blow Dry Bar features a niche of hair and makeup services but also caters to bridal clients and parties. A bachelorette party can book with the Blo Blow location, at 12225 Voyager Pkwy, Suite 14, in northern Colorado Springs, and be served up a side of pampering including champagne, white and red wine.
Blo Blow Dry Bar has established itself as a venue for bridal and baby showers, holiday parties, adult and children’s birthdays, charitable fundraisers, networking events and the like for a unique way to impress people with pampering and a drink in hand.
Coffee & Tea
The Tri-Lakes region isn’t without its eclectic array of places where coffee is the center focus. While Starbucks is a commercial standard for java, usually with yet another Starbucks across the street, a handful of local keen-bean establishments have made their mark on the region with their own signature drinks.
With a large menu of Espresso drinks, frozen drinks and others, Serano’s Coffee, located at 625 West Hwy 105 in Monument, has not only become a go-to for residents for hot-bean drinks concoctions, but also a location for business and personal meetings. The only locally owned coffee location with a drive-up window, Carl Nolt has been the owner of the establishment since it opened more than 25 years ago.
Serrano’s Coffee drinks menu offers several staples of a coffee establishment with some unique takes as well including the Milky Way, an espresso coffee with steamed chocolate milk, caramel and milk, the Caramel Thing featuring espresso and steamed caramel milk and vanilla, as well as Caramel Apple Cider, a cider with caramel sauce and other flavors. It also includes several frozen drinks which also appeal to a child or the child in all of everyone.
Wesley Owens Coffee, located at 1744 Lake Woodmoor Drive, offers ethically sourced coffee options from around the world, its teas are hand-picked from the Republic of Tea selection, which are also used as the Wesley Owens’ London Fog creations for its line of hot teas. Online reviews boast about the company’s French Press coffee options, Espresso blends and caramel flavors. Praise is also given to the menu’s Sweet Green Hibiscus Tea with mango bobas, and for children, Wesley Owen’s take on Italian sodas appear to be a draw.
For a close coffee option to those enjoying Palmer Lake, Perfectly Elevated Cafe and Gallery at 11 Primrose Street in Palmer Lake. Perfectly Elevated offers its take on coffees and teas, but also offers a flare for artistic presence. The cafe’s signature drinks include the smoothly blended Raspberry Choco Latte, a sparkling hibiscus water with ginger and lander syrup known as the Queen Bee as well as the Spicy Honey Bear for a delightful blend of cinnamon, ginger, honey, raspberry syrup and steamed milk.
However, for Chai lovers, Perfectly Elevated offers its Palmer Divide, a dirty chai with a splash of hazelnut, described to be “like Hansel biting into a gingerbread house.”
While flights have been a rising trend for the past years, Tequila Village, since its rebranding independence from the former 3 Margaritas franchise, offers a flight of signature margaritas including Midori, Peach and Strawberry.
As a different take on the Bloody Mary, the Palmer Lake Pub offers a BBQ Whiskey Bloody Mary with the traditional celery stalk and a strip of crispy bacon as well as other garnishes.
Trails End Taproom in Monument, a self-pouring establishment, offers several signature cocktails including its Monument Mule and versions of whiskey on tap.
Local Landing in Monument has a menu of Signature Sippers featuring many recipes aptly named for locations in the area, including from right, the Mt. Herman Mule and the Spruce Mtn. Spritzer.
Among signature drinks around town, 3 Hundred Days of Shine’s tasting room has found its Old Fashioned to be one of the most popular among patrons.
