What does Wind River Country taste like?
Thanks to the creativity of local residents and the support of community partners, we now have an answer.
This spring, the Wind River Visitors Council partnered with Wyoming Whiskey and local venues to launch the Wind River Country Community Cocktail/Mocktail Project, inviting residents to create beverage pairs inspired by the landscapes, flavors, cultures and stories that make this region unique.
The response was inspiring.
Community members from across Wind River Country submitted original cocktail and mocktail concepts, each offering a different interpretation of place through flavor, ingredients and storytelling. During National Travel and Tourism Week, residents gathered in Dubois, Lander and Riverton to sample the creations, celebrate local talent and cast their votes.
The Wind River Visitors Council extends its sincere appreciation to everyone who submitted a beverage, attended a tasting event and helped make this project a success. Special thanks go to The Rustic Pine Tavern in Dubois, The Coalter Loft in Lander and Bar 10 in Riverton for hosting the community events, as well as the Wind River Hotel & Casino for hosting the final judging event. We are also grateful to Wyoming Whiskey for sponsoring the tasting opportunity at Lander Brewfest and to everyone who helped create a welcoming atmosphere at each gathering. The Wind River Visitors Council was proud to provide the food at each community event and support this celebration of local creativity and community pride.
Following community voting, three finalists advanced to the final round of judging:
• Kristi Perry, advancing from the Dubois community tasting event
• Seth Arthur, advancing from the Lander community tasting event
• Audrey King, advancing from the Riverton community tasting event
After careful consideration by the final judging panel, Audrey King was selected as the creator of Wind River Country’s signature beverage.
Community members and visitors will have the opportunity to be among the first to taste the winning beverage during Lander Brewfest on June 12 and 13 at Lander City Park. Wyoming Whiskey will feature the drink at its booth throughout the event, and visitors can pick up a commemorative cork coaster while supplies last.
Inspired by Wyoming’s native cutthroat trout and the experience of casting a line into a mountain stream, Audrey King’s winning creation, “The Cuttie (cocktail) and Lil’ Cuttie (mocktail),” captures the spirit of Wind River Country in a glass.
The cocktail combines Wyoming Whiskey, Domaine de Canton, Malbec, locally sourced honey from Lander, fresh lemon juice and warm spice to create a flavor profile that is both adventurous and distinctly Wyoming. Its visual presentation tells the story as much as the ingredients. Basil seeds and edible glitter create movement and shimmer, evoking sunlight on water and the iridescent scales of a trout beneath the surface.
The accompanying mocktail features lemon, local honey, ginger beer and 7UP, offering a refreshing nonalcoholic option inspired by the same concept.
The Community Cocktail/Mocktail Project was created to encourage community participation in destination storytelling while highlighting the creativity, hospitality and character that make Wind River Country memorable. The project demonstrated that some of the best tourism experiences begin with local voices sharing what they love most about where they live.
Whether you’re a whiskey enthusiast, a fan of creative mocktails or simply curious to discover what Wind River Country tastes like, stop by the Wyoming Whiskey booth at Lander Brewfest and raise a glass to the winning creation.
About the Wind River Visitors Council
The Wind River Visitors Council (WRVC) is a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) responsible for investing lodging tax revenues to promote Fremont County and the Wind River Indian Reservation, collectively branded as Wind River Country, as a premier tourism and visitor destination.
Through strategic marketing, partnerships and community collaboration, the WRVC works to enhance the region’s visibility, support local economies and inspire travelers to explore the diverse landscapes and cultures of Wind River Country.