When approaching the holidays I love to share my favorite finds, especially with YOU! This year there are two stand outs on the local front that had to mark the season. The first is a company I was thrilled to introduce when they first started out: Colorado Crafted, artisan gift boxes. The visionaries who began the company are two hip sophisticate moms who happened upon a serendipitous meeting at a playground and the rest is history.
Their latest endeavor, Colorado Crafted, has hit the scene like gangbusters, oozing with personal style and taste from the gift box presentation to the smallest detail of every handpicked artisan they invite to partner with them. Throughout the year their breadth of offerings has expanded from Colorado themed artisan food boxes to now include a Bath and Body box as well as a new Seasonal Subscription where subscribers will select between 1 and 4 boxes throughout the year each featuring 4-6 specially curated items.
Sarah and Dulcie, Colorado Crafted’s cool curators have done a spectacular job hunting down unique quality contributors that are small batch focused and not found in the mainstream large production outlets. They have begun to share their finds in a new blog which provides behind the scenes insight, as well as introductions to the artisans lending an intimate feel to every purchase. Their most recent finds may also be found on their Facebook page as well.
Four holiday boxes are currently available for order as well as early purchase of a Seasonal Box Subscription which they are happy to pre-announce to a gift recipient with their beautifully crafted stationary. Holiday orders placed by Wednesday December 18th will arrive for the holidays.
To entice further Colorado Crafted is giving away one special box to a Boulder Locavore reader: The Bijou Creek Box ($35). Here’s what they have to say about it:
“Let someone know you are thinking of them with the Bijou Creek Box. This sweet sampler includes a large fleur del sel-topped caramel, two almond and dark chocolate ganache truffles, a buttery shortbread cookie draped in white and dark chocolate, and crunchy kettle-roasted almonds flavored with chipotle and real mango.”
The Artisans are:
- Helliemae Handcrafted Caramels of Denver
- Nova Monda Chocolatiers of Lafayette
- Olomomo Nuts of Longmont
- Robin Chocolates of Longmont
Motherlode Provisions caught my attention during the holiday season last year when prowling for a good Bloody Mary mix. I instantly fell in love with their packaging, that they were local and felt confident in their quality in reading the product label.
What I did not know at the time was about the amazing chance genesis of their company which now offers seven phenomenal sauces. The entire nation will remember the enormous destructive wildfires around Boulder in 2010. Leland and Carolyn, Motherlode’s owners, were evacuated from their small mountain town of Gold Hill due to the fire and subsequently asked to cater a benefit to welcome mountain residents back to their homes once the danger had passed.
Leland smoked several hundred pounds of meat and whipped up a from-scratch barbeque sauce that was so well received, Motherlode Provisions was started the following month with their first products being Rocky Mountain Style Barbecue Sauce, followed by Sweet Honey Lavender Barbecue Sauce and the Rocky Mountain Style Bloody Mary Mix which served as my personal introduction to the Motherlode Provisions product line.
There are many differentiating factors about them causing one to want to buy their products; the quality of the ingredients, the ingenuity of the recipes, the care that is clearly poured into every bottle and they are a family-owned business. Their products are all-natural, gluten-free, and ‘created to reflect the purity and beauty of the Rocky Mountain wilderness’ (don’t we just love that?). The Rocky Mountain Style Bloody Mary mix for instance has been designed as an ‘all inclusive’ mix. Where most mixes merely start the cocktail process, Motherlode’s mix provides the layering of flavors so that addition of your favorite Vodka is all that is needed. For those who like their Bloody Mary’s ‘spitting bullets hot’ like me, a few dashes of their Rocky Mountain Style Hot Sauce or Wildfire Hot Sauce will deliver what you seek!
Recipe
Motherlode Bloody Mary {and other Variations}
Ingredients
- Rocky Mountain Style Bloody Mary Mix {by Motherlode Provisions}
- Vodka
- Garnish suggestions: celery stalks , Pepperocinis, Dilled Green Beans and/or Bacon Rimming Salt
Instructions
- Combine 2 parts Rocky Mountain Style Bloody Mary Mix with 1 part vodka in a shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously.
- Pour unstrained contents into a large rocks glass.
- Garnish and serve.
Variations:
- Bloody Maria: substitute tequila for vodka.
- Ginger & Mary Ann: substitute gin.
- Red Beer: Add Rocky Mountain Style Bloody Mary Mix to your favorite ale or lager for a sophisticated take on red beer.
Motherlode Provisions has moved from the Boulder area to downtown Breckenridge where they maintain their wholesale and online retail business as well as are setting up a small store front. The best place to keep track of their abundant awards and plans is currently on their Facebook page (their website is up but undergoing a large transformation; stay tuned for that!).
Justin M. says
The BBQ sauce is horrible. It is nothing more than spaghetti sauce with all the flavor removed. I am not sure why anyone would consider putting it on anything. I actually threw it out after trying it on some chicken.
Toni Dash says
I’m sorry you didn’t like it Justin. I’ve enjoyed their products but individual preferences vary. I certainly can say they use the best ingredients and are committed to make things the best possible. Perhaps if you have specific, constructive input you could share it on their site or email them. Feedback is always good to have.
Jessica says
I love Colorado artisan food!
Trisha McKee says
I love Colorado artisan food!
Tammy Greer says
“I love Colorado artisan food!”
Beth R says
I love Colorado artisan food!
ally marie says
I love Colorado artisan food!
Heather B says
I love Colorado Artisan Food
susan smoaks says
I love Colorado artisan food!
Al Luedtke says
Looking forward to try all products