Do at the Zoo took over the Denver Zoo at the end of June. The annual cocktail party that raises money for the zoo’s sustainability program is also a great excuse to drink with some real party animals.

This year’s event kicked off with a VIP party at 6 PM, with food provided by Edge Restaurant at the Four Seasons Denver. Bites included crab and watermelon ceviche, lamb meatball sliders and a delightful take on traditional cheese and crackers called green eggs and ham (English pea hummus, egg whites and sopresatta). Soothing vocals of Elise Lieberth drifted over the crowd at the zoo’s Kamala Cafe, where VIPs got to taste a drink created specially for the event by Colorado-based Republic National Distributing. The Orangu Tang was an invigorating mix of Svedka Orange Cream Pop vodka and Regatta ginger beer with lime. Named via a Facebook contest, the drink was tangy and sweet and it was tough to have just one.

At 7 PM the entire zoo opened up to guests, who enjoyed watching elephants, camels, giraffes, some laid back lions and one rather rambunctious baby Grévy’s zebra. Just born on June 13, the as yet unnamed zebra ran all over her enclosure. That's really one of the things that makes this event so special — guests get to see the animals at twilight, when many are at their most active. There were also up-close animal encounters with birds, mammals and a young alligator.

Over 60 of Denver’s favorite restaurants and bakeries provided eats, including oysters on the half shell and crawfish at one tent and chicken tikka masala and saag at another. Great Divide Brewing provided beer, Svedka vodka spiked the cocktails and Barefoot Wines brought the vino. Republic also had a tent serving cocktails using Colorado-made spirits like 303 Vodka, Downslope Distilling and Montanya Rum.

This year’s Do at the Zoo welcomed 3,000 guests and proceeds from the event go toward the zoo’s sustainability efforts. Denver Zoo is ranked as the greenest zoo in the country by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Over 24 years, Do at the Zoo has raised over $10 million to support the zoo’s conservation efforts.

Don’t feel bad if you missed it. Denver Zoo’s second most popular party is September's Brew at the Zoo, where you can take your taste buds on a “suds safari.” Stay tuned for event details, and click through our slideshow for a glimpse of the animals, drinks and fun.

All photos by Carrie Dow