This is gonna be a tough one. 

Oh, Aspen. Just when we think that rent, food and restaurants in Boulder are too expensive, one trip up I-70 reminds us how the 1% really like to party. 

Among more reasonably priced drinks at Nello Alpine, bar director Costin Tarsoaga has concocted the $800 Nello Royal using Louis XIII Cognac (which runs about $2,000-$3,000 per bottle) and a blend of more common ingredients like sugar and lemon juice. “This cocktail is a tribute to kings,” Tarsoaga says. “It is smooth and refreshing, just what a king would drink.”

That's a damn fancy bottle of booze, but 40 cases of PBR might hit the spot just a little better.

In case you'd rather save some money and make it yourself, here's the recipe. 

Nello Royal
by Costin Tarsoaga

1.5 oz. Louis XIII Cognac
.5 oz. Grand Marnier Cent Cinquantenaire
.5 oz. demerara sugar
.5 oz. lemon juice (Madagascar lemons, if possible)
Orange peel

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker over ice. Stir (do not shake) and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.

And no, no one has bought one yet.