Colorado Toddy [Cocktail Recipe]

The 125 year old historic Hotel Jerome, now operated by Auberge Resorts, is home to the cozy J-Bar and its ornate 1880s wooden bar, restored to perfection from vintage photos. The J-Bar’s most famous whiskey drink, bearing the unfortunate name of Aspen Crud, is a spiked milkshake of vanilla ice cream and bourbon that dates to Prohibition, popular with the members of the 10th Mountain Division when they were training in the area for WWII. Following the war years, celebrities including Gary Cooper and John Wayne descended on the Jerome, and Hunter S. Thompson made the J-Bar his office. While the Jerome is located on Main Street, not slopeside, the superb service and convenient shuttles ensure it remains a top pick for luxury stays and warming drinks like the Colorado Toddy, its floral nose and soothing sweetness balanced with robust Stranahan’s whiskey from Denver. The drink was created by Hotel Jerome wine director Christel Stiver.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1½ oz. Stranahan’s Single Malt Colorado whiskey
  • 2 oz. chamomile tea
  • 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
  • ½ oz. honey
  • 4 oz. hot water
  • 1 lemon wheel

DIRECTIONS

Brew chamomile tea according to instructions. Add honey to the hot tea, stirring to dissolve. In a separate glass, combine hot water, lemon juice, and whiskey. Add the whiskey and water mixture to your glass and ensure it remains hot by bringing it all to temperature using a latte steam wand or microwave. Garnish with a lemon wheel before serving.

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