If you see purple gin and tonics and indigo-colored margaritas sprouting up on Denver menus this spring, it’s partly because bartenders want to make you a cocktail that shows team spirit. But it’s also because they’re obsessed with butterfly pea flower, a bloom that’s native to Southeast Asia and that can act like an all-natural dye, turning drinks a lovely Colorado Rockies shade of purple.
Across from Coors Field, at The Rally Bar in McGregor Square, for instance, the Rally Up cocktail has become a fan favorite and is made with Family Jones Vodka, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, butterfly pea flower, lemon and honey.
“Bartenders love butterfly pea flower for one main reason: It makes your drink look sexy,” said Tyler Jeffrey, restaurant and bar manager at The Rally Hotel. “It gives your cocktail a bright, fun, purple look without any artificial flavors or dyes.”
As for flavor, butterfly pea flower can add a slightly floral or grassy finish to a cocktail, and Jeffrey likes it best with gin because it “boosts the botanical flavors already in the spirit.” But it can give an oomph to vodka cocktails and plays nicely with the citrus and peppery notes of a blanco tequila, too.
While many bartenders craft their own infusions and tinctures with the flower, the readily available Empress 1908 Gin is made with butterfly pea blossoms, which imbue the gin with earthy notes (and the bottle stands out on back bars thanks to its deep purple hue). Depending on the mixer it’s used with, the gin changes to a bright lavender, soft pink or fuchsia — so a seat at the bar comes with a mixology magic show.
In time for Rockies Opening Day at Coors Field (first pitch is at 2:10 p.m. Thursday), here’s your starting lineup of spirited cocktails, many of which are made with butterfly pea flowers.
The Block Distilling Co.
The Block Distilling Co. is serving a drink called “You’re Killing Me Smalls.” Even if you don’t know which classic baseball movie that line is borrowed from, you’ll still get a prize with your drink: A little snack pack of Cracker Jack attached to your glass with a mini clothespin. A spiked lemonade made with the distillery’s very own vodka, the cocktail is also mixed with pear eau de vie and blackberries. Enjoy it on the patio amid the murals before heading to The Sandlot (Coors Field), which is less than a mile away. 2990 Larimer St., Denver; theblockdistillingco.com
Deviation Distilling
Tiago Amaral, head mixologist at Deviation Distilling, likes incorporating natural ingredients to color cocktails, like hibiscus flowers that turn drinks a pretty shade of pink. So for the spring menu at the Dairy Block bar, he created a housemade floral tea with macerated lavender, butterfly pea blossom and violet and let it steep for a few days. The infusion is the MVP of the Rockies Fizz, which is a floral-forward spring sipper that’s mixed with the distillery’s Blood Orange Gin, lime juice and finished with a splash of soda water. 1821 Blake St., Suite 130, Denver; deviationdistilling.com
Milepost Zero
The Rockies Grand Slam frozen margarita with El Jimador tequila is turned purple with a lavender-colored syrup. Enjoy it in McGregor Square, which will be a hub of Opening Day activity with the pregame showing on the 66-foot LED screen. The marg’s cute little baseball garnish makes it Instagram-ready. Bars in the plaza open at 8 a.m. Thursday. 1601 19th St., Suite 150; milepostzero.com
Kachina Cantina
Kachina Cantina infused tequila with butterfly pea flower for its purple-toned Margarita on the Rockies. It’s on the cocktail menu alongside other tasty tequila drinks, including blood orange, jalapeño-cucumber and mango habanero margs. Enjoy the spirited cocktail with chips and chorizo queso fundido before making the short walk to Coors Field. 1890 Wazee St., Denver; kachinadenver.com
Bar M at The Thompson
Named after the most fun section in Coors, the Rock Pile is a Botanist Gin cocktail with lime juice and Grapefruit Fever Tree soda, garnished with a grapefruit peel. A housemade pea flower and lavender simple syrup make it one for the home team. 1616 Market St., Denver; hyatt.com/hotel/colorado/thompson-denver
Slater’s 50/50 Denver
The sports bar has a couple of drinks for Rockies fans on its menu this April. The grape-flavored Rockies Home Run vodka shot is served with a Pop Rocks candy rim. For a cocktail, the two-toned purple Violet Femme cocktail is made with Woody Creek purple gin, fresh lemon juice, lavender simple syrup and butterfly pea flower tea. 3600 Blake St., Denver; slaters5050.com/locations/denver/
The Woods Restaurant and Rooftop
For a purple pregame cocktail, head to The Woods Restaurant and Rooftop at The Source Hotel. The Coors Field Crusher is a Rockies-inspired riff on the mojito, created with bright purple Empress 1908 Gin, fresh squeezed lime juice, muddled mint leaves and a refreshing sparkling water float. It’s garnished with a mint bouquet and maraschino cherries. 3330 Brighton Blvd., Denver; thesourcehotel.com/the-woods
Los Chingones
The Dingerita is a classic coin-style marg with butterfly pea flower-infused El Jimador blanco tequila. To really make Dinger proud, this Opening Day marg wears a black lava salt rim. Multiple locations including 2463 Larimer St., Denver; loschingonesmexican.com
Death & Co Denver
More of a whisky drinker? At Death & Co Denver, located in The Ramble Hotel, bartenders craft The Orcadian with Highland Park 12-year Scotch Whisky and Sorel, a worldy liqueur that’s made with Moroccan hibiscus, Nigerian ginger, Indonesian cassia and nutmeg. It’s also mixed with vermouth, lemon juice, and seltzer and comes with an orchid garnish. 1280 25th St., Denver; deathandcompany.com/location/death-and-company-denver
Apple Blossom
A G&T is an ideal warm-weather drink. With a little purple pizazz, the one at Apple Blossom at Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver happens to also be perfect for pre-gaming. The gin and tonic is made with a purple gin, fancy tonic, aromatics and comes with a rosemary garnish. 822 18th St., Denver; appleblossomdenver.com
Citizen Rail
Citizen Rail is hosting a kimchi hot dog cookout on Opening Day, and the bar team has also made a special cocktail to celebrate the occasion. The Fly Ball features Golden-based Atost’s lemon-lavender aperitivo, Wheatley vodka and crème de violette. The Aviation, a classic gin cocktail, served as inspiration for the cocktail, says lead bartender Sarah Harmacek, with the violet liqueur dialing up the purple hues. 1899 16th St. Mall, Denver; citizenrail.com
