Central Bistro in the Highlands has always been at the forefront of food and the restaurant does not leave its cocktails behind. With an emphasis on the nation’s best whiskeys, a new summer cocktail menu is available and ready for Central’s extra-long happy hours.

Although Central prides itself on having an expansive whiskey list, Bar Manager James Menkal has put together an eclectic cocktail menu with all the flavors of summer. These carefully crafted cocktails can be paired with the updated food and happy hour menu or enjoyed all by themselves, since all the cocktails pair well with the Central Bistro’s view of the downtown skyline.

Since spice is considered an aphrodisiac, Menkal’s spicy cocktail is the Deal Closer made with Mell vodka, basil, grapefruit, lemon and serrano. While the cocktail’s aroma is basil and fruity, the pepper leaves a tingle at the back of the throat, which gives this cocktail a bit of ying and yang.

Continuing with a spice theme, the Casanova is Menkal’s twist on the margarita and made with Camarena Silver tequila, hot pepper tincture, lime, cilantro and his special touch, smoked salt on the rim. Although it looks like a marg with the color of lime, the taste is different. The drink is very musky, smoky and spicy and even though it uses tequila, the drink fits right in with a whiskey bar.

The Central Smash gets back to the bar’s roots with Old Forester Bourbon, Aperol, cherry bitter, tarragon and orange. The orange and tarragon give the drink a fruity sweet scent, however, the taste is slight tart with just a hint of cherry. This drink is a great way to dip some toes into the whiskey/bourbon cocktail pool.

The Diesel Fix is modeled on the Manhattan and made with Templeton Rye, Mathilde Orange XO, Angostura bitters, Ardbeg and absinthe. The peaty rye and botanical absinthe give this drink an earthy aroma, almost like potpourri. Similar to the classic Manhattan, this cocktail has substantial alcohol, with an almost savory finish. 

For the more adventurous imbiber, try the Trinidad Sour on the bar’s “Let’s Get Weird” menu.  It is made with Angostura Biters, Orgeat, Rittenhouse Rye, and lime. Orgeat is a French liqueur made with almonds, sugar and rose or orange water and also gives this cocktail an earthy, floral scent. This gorgeous drink has a tomato red color and a rich, thick texture that makes it instantly gratifying. The taste is fruity, leaning toward citrus with a slight bitterness at the finish.

The traditionalists can enjoy barrel aged whiskey cocktails like the Manhattan, Negroni and Aviation and there are over 120 different kinds of whiskeys. The bar’s own whiskey, sitting in a aging barrel on the right end of the whiskey wall above the bar, is expected to be ready for sampling this summer.

Central Bistro has one of Denver’s longest happy hours starting at 2 PM in the afternoon Wednesday through Sunday and is all night long on Tuesdays and Sundays. Whiskey not your thing? No problem. Happy hour features 40% off all bottles of wine, $5 select wines by the glass and $3 draft beers. An absolute must during happy hour is a bowl of Central Circus Mix consisting of bacon popcorn and bourbon glazed peanuts.