The 5 Best Craft Cocktails

The craft cocktail has evolved into an art form, combining quality spirits, fresh ingredients and imaginative techniques to create drinks that are as interesting as they are flavorful. From smoky classics and Italian aperitivos to tropical creations and locally distilled spirits, Steamboat Springs bartenders are putting their own signatures on the cocktail menu. The Best of the Boat 2026 explores the establishments bringing creativity and craftsmanship to the local bar scene.

Laundry Kitchen & Cocktails

Inventive mixology and historic surroundings define the cocktail experience at Laundry Kitchen & Cocktails in downtown Steamboat Springs. Housed in the former 1910 Steamboat Laundry building, the restaurant specializes in handcrafted drinks featuring house-infused spirits, smoked presentations and barrel-aged cocktails. Bartenders incorporate fresh-squeezed juices, house-made syrups, specialty bitters and artisanal ice into seasonal creations, which guests can enjoy alongside tapas-style small plates in an inviting space accented by exposed brick and historic details.

Besame Steamboat

Latin American flavors provide the inspiration for the cocktail menu at Besame Steamboat on Lincoln Avenue in downtown Steamboat Springs. The restaurant serves handcrafted margaritas, mojitos, caipirinhas and sangrias, incorporating tropical fruits, infused tequilas and mezcal into its beverage selections. Colorful surroundings and a menu of Latin American and Spanish-inspired tapas complement the drinks, creating a lively atmosphere for happy hour, dinner and evening gatherings.

Mythology Distillery

Locally distilled spirits take center stage at Mythology Distillery, where the cocktail menu showcases whiskeys, gins, vodkas and specialty spirits produced at its Elk River Road facility in Steamboat Springs. The tasting room serves creative interpretations of familiar cocktails alongside seasonal originals featuring botanical infusions, house-made syrups and regional ingredients. Guests can enjoy their drinks in the indoor lounge or outdoor patio area, with guided distillery tours offering a closer look at the spirits behind the cocktails.

Mambo Italiano

Italian cocktail traditions influence the bar program at Mambo Italiano in downtown Steamboat Springs. The restaurant features aperitivos, refreshing spritzes, barrel-aged Negronis and specialty martinis, complemented by a curated wine list and regional craft beers. An indoor bar and seasonal Lincoln Avenue patio provide settings for enjoying cocktails alongside scratch-made pasta, wood-fired pizzas and traditional Italian entrees.

Primrose

Sophisticated cocktails and an upscale dining atmosphere come together at Primrose, located along the Yampa River in downtown Steamboat Springs. The bar program features signature drinks prepared with premium spirits, fresh juices, house-infused liqueurs and carefully selected ice. Guests can pair their cocktails with prime steaks, fresh seafood and raw bar selections from Executive Chef Collin Kelley's kitchen, with seating available near the open kitchen or on the outdoor riverfront deck.

Created or enhanced with ChatGPT.