Renowned Colorado Springs mixologist gains national attention, highlights local bar

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A signature cocktail crafted by an award-winning and widely recognized mixologist in Colorado Springs was recently featured at the nation’s premier culinary festival, the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, bringing a local bar to the forefront.

Montana Horsfall, Owner of Craft Cocktail Inc. , showcased her signature vodka-based Old Fashioned called “The Becoming,” which she created while working at Bar Thirty Three in downtown Colorado Springs alongside Founding Member, Joel McVay.

“We did our Grand Opening at Bar Thirty Three on New Year’s Eve,” said Horsfall. “Since then, I have started my own company but I still collaborate with them a lot.”

Horsfall explained to FOX21 how she initially received the invitation to attend the Food & Wine Classic after a distillery came across her cocktail.

“So Altamura, which [is the vodka] I featured in this cocktail is from Italy and they noticed over social media that this cocktail existed with their spirit in it and contacted Joel and me to then go represent Bar Thirty Three, but also myself as Craft Cocktail Inc.,” explained Horsfall.

McVay said Horsfall was instrumental in integrating Altamura vodka into Bar Thirty Three’s program and that she was the right choice to send.

“We believe that the team who work with us deserve recognition for their contributions to the entire curated experience in Bar Thirty Three,” McVay said. “It only keeps getting better at Bar Thirty Three because of these wonderful people.”

While at the Food & Wine Classic, “The Becoming” was sipped and enjoyed by many, described as “Montana’s modern twist on the traditional Old Fashioned,” which Horsfall developed through several rounds of experimentation, using hibiscus to elevate the flavors.

“It’s one of the hardest cocktails that I’ve ever made, because of its simplicity,” said Horsfall. “I wanted people who really liked the cosmopolitan or the lemon drop to have an elevated experience.”

Horsfall said representing Colorado Springs and the local bartending community was something she will never forget.

“To represent this City for the talent that it has… I mean really, at this point, all I can say is, dreams do come true,” Horsfall said. “Colorado Springs and its bartending talent and its artistry, along with bars like Bar Thirty Three, need to be shown to the planet [because of] how inventive and cool and different they are.”

Horsfall, who previously appeared on FOX21 Morning News in March of 2022 for our ‘Mocktail Contest’ and won the prize for ‘Prettiest Drink’ with her Passion Punch Mocktail, is well-known in the Colorado Springs bartending community after beginning her craft in 2010.

“So I have won ‘Best Bartender’ with The Independent and The Gazette, a total of four times; two of them Gold, one Silver and one Bronze,” said Horsfall. “The one I was most proud of was Silver, because the girl that I hired on and let her be what she was, she got Gold and I got silver that year.”

Horsfall said just as the community has supported her, she hopes they continue to do the same for other local bartenders and businesses.

“It’s hard to put into words how important it is,” Horsfall said. “If you want to continue to see your community around you grow, then supporting local is a must.”

Horsfall said the local bartending community is very close, and that it has been tough to see so many owners close their doors.

“It is nothing short of heartbreaking,” Horsfall said. “If you can imagine putting in your personal finances, your time, your blood, sweat, and your tears to then turn around and the business isn’t there… it’s a tough economy right now… but this is now more important than ever to spend your coin locally or you will see more and more of your favorite places close down.”

As for Bar Thirty Three, its uniqueness is one of the many reasons McVay hopes the community stops by. As for the name, here’s what he had to say: “The building was built around 1933, prohibition ended on December 5th, 1933, [and so] I had the suite number changed to 33 when the renovations were complete.”

The concept is simple: a good bar “powered by a great drink,” according to McVay.

“The influence and takes that we have from around the world are really utilized. Some of the best practices in cities such as San Diego, Tokyo, London, San Juan, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Rio De Janeiro, and many more have influenced the ever-changing beverage program for Bar Thirty Three,” added McVay, who said the bar would soon be featuring a new summer menu.

Bar Thirty Three is located at 18 South Nevada, Suite 33, and for a look at hours or to reserve your spot, click on the link above. If you’d like to try one of the cocktails created by Horsfall, just ask for the “House Old Fashioned” or “The Becoming,” both of which are currently on the menu.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.