Why have regular dessert when you can make it boozy? At these seven places the sweets swell with spirits, making a treat that’s both decadent and drunk. Eating one probably won’t make you tipsy, but the liquor enhances the flavors and helps cut the richness and sugar.
Whiskey Tiramisu at Restaurant Olivia
Yes, there’s such a thing as a seasonal tiramisu, and chef Ty Leon is on it. Right now that includes a luxurious combination of mascarpone sabayon delicately layered with lady fingers. The booze part comes thanks to an exclusive barrel of Few Bourbon, which the lady fingers soak in prior to the layering. The Olivia team chose the distillery because of its exceptional sustainability initiatives, something the restaurant strives for as well. To finish off the dessert a sprinkle of Bibamba cocoa powder and crunchy honeycomb toffee crown the decadent sweet. 290 S. Downing St., Denver, oliviadenver.com
Bourbon Bacon Chocolate Cake at Yardbird
One look at this bourbon-infused dessert has us drooling. It’s a glorious tower of rich chocolate cake topped with candied bacon and drizzled with bourbon-salted-caramel sauce. There’s enough of the boozy caramel for each for the four layers of chocolate goodness, and Nutella frosting in between to help carry it with each bite. A scoop of vanilla ice cream works to tame the richness, but still keep it a party on the plate. The $16 dessert is meant to share, though no one will balk if you don’t. 2743 Blake St., Denver, runchickenrun.com
Drunk Affogato at Jovanina’s Broken Italian
Coffee and ice cream is a classic and elegant Italian dessert, but at this downtown restaurant there’s a little something extra on the affogato. Yes, we’re talking about liquor, or Fernet-Branca specifically. A mere $10 added to the $10 dessert means it’s anointed with splash of the amaro, which has been lifting spirits since 1845. That, combined with cool and creamy vanilla ice cream and sharp expresso, makes for the lovely end-of-the-meal treat. 1520 Blake St., Denver, jovanina.com
Negrita at The Fort
When a dessert has been on the menu for over 60 years, chances are it’s worth the hype. Such is the case at The Fort in Morrison, where the Negrita ($14) has been made with a blend of dark chocolate whipped with Myers’s rum served in a chocolate tulip-shaped cup. The Arnold family, who owns the restaurant, discovered the nuances of this treat decades ago in Mexico, and loved how the rum balances the rich chocolate to make a perfect after-dinner bite. 19192 CO-8, Morrison, thefort.com
Boozy Bonbons at Alice + Kate Bakery
While we just mentioned the delicious seasonal s’mores treats coming out of Gretchen Harrison’s Castle Pines bakery, we would be remiss to skip the boozy bonbons she recently released. Not only does it taste good, but local distilleries get featured as well. For example, 10th Mountain Whiskey & Sprit’s and Spirit Hound Distillers, whose whiskey and vodka become the center star in a variety of bonbons including the Peach Vanilla Cordial, Ginger Whiskey, Dark Cherry Brandy, and Cafe Latte. A box of four, or one each, runs $14. 572 E. Castle Pines Parkway, Castle Pines, aliceandkatebakery.com
Super Boozy Milkshakes at Slater’s 50/50
Doll up that childhood treat with a good helping of alcohol. The shakes at Slater’s 50/50 prove just as energetic as the RiNo space, and come in a handful of tasty options. In fact, any milkshake can be “Slaterized,” the term used to describe and order a classic shake with a shot. Think Happy Happy Birthday Shake with huckleberry vodka, an adult-inspired chocolate-mint shake with Guinness stout, or a drunk creation all your own. Each shake has a base price of $12.99, with a $5 up charge to make it drunk. 3600 Blake St., Denver, slaters5050.com
Yuzu Coconut Cake at Toro
After a hearty meal of Blackened Tuna Tacos ($18) and Lomo Saltado ($39), the Yuzu Coconut Cake ($15) is a welcome taste. To make it drunk, the chefs blend creamy coconut Malibu with a tangy yuzu custard, and layer it with passion fruit and an almond biscuit. The whole dish gets a touch of mint and citrus pearls to further refresh before you saunter out into Cherry Creek. 150 Clayton Lane, Denver, torodenver.com
