Spring Break-Inspired Cocktails from a Fit-Focused Bartender!

March 23, 2012 at 1:47 pm
By Christie Griffin

When Bryan's not running up hills (some as high as 14,110 feet!), he's inspiring people to imbibe. (Photo courtesy of OAK at Fourteenth)

Between the warm(er than usual) weather and March Madness, we’re feeling a little nostalgic for Spring Break in college! So we scored a couple cocktail recipes from Bryan Dayton, the owner and Beverage Director at OAK at Fourteenth in Boulder, Colorado…including a non-alcoholic one, for those of you who gave up booze for Lent/New Year’s/Who Knows Why.

Before we hand over the happy hour inspiration, you should know whom it’s coming from. Bryan hasn’t just been a mixologist for 15 years—he’s also a trail runner (the higher the altitude, the better) with an incredible race resume. Nice!

My Little Honey

• 1.5 oz gin
• .5 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey to hot water)
• .5 oz fresh lemon juice
• Soda water

To make: Pour all ingredients over crushed ice, give a quick stir and garnish with a lemon.

Cucumber Smash

• 2 slices of cucumber
• 2 quarter wedges of lime
• 1.5 oz gin or vodka
• .25 oz honey syrup

To make: Muddle all of the above together in a mixing tin and then add ice. Shake. Fine-strain over crushed ice and then garnish with a slice of cucumber. Idea: Substitute berries for the cucumber, if you want something fruity!

The Summer Smash (Non Alcoholic)

• 2 slices of cucumber
• 6 mint leaves
• 1 mint sprig
• .5 oz lime
• .25 oz honey syrup
• 3 oz soda water

To make: Muddle mint and cucumber in a mixing tin. Add all the ingredients, except for the soda water. Add ice, shake and strain into a highball glass with ice. Finally, pour in soda water and give it a quick stir. Garnish with mint sprig.

Traditional Margarita on the Rocks

• 1.5 oz Reposado tequila
• .75 oz orange liqueur
• .75 oz fresh lime juice

To make: Put all ingredients into a shaker, add ice and shake. Pour over fresh ice in a short tumbler and garnish with lime. Salt is optional.