What could possibly improve a chocolate truffle? People who answer that question with “liquor,” would do well to seek out Boozie Suzie Candy Co.
The brainchild of McKenzie Vyborny and Nikola Beres of Bayfield, Boozie Suzie has been making alcohol-infused chocolates for several years.
“We started as making the chocolate truffles for Christmas gifts for family members and posted some pictures on Facebook and people asked if they could buy them,” Vyborny said. “So here we are.”
She said that Beres’ family had a long history of making infused vodkas and the like – and Vyborny had the idea to make bespoke truffles for specific family members. For instance, her uncle loves Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, so she used it to make truffles for him.
“They were pretty and they’re cute, and people just think they’re fun,” she said.
The chocolates are all handmade and use local ingredients whenever possible, Vyborny said. For instance, she and Beres grow the raspberries they use.
“We have a ridiculous amount of flavors,” Vyborny said. “We can use pretty much any alcohol and any kind of fresh fruit type of flavor. We have different flavors every week. We use mostly Baileys (Irish Cream) because that goes really well with chocolate and a lot of other flavors.”
At a recent Durango Farmers Market, Boozie Suzie was selling Fireball Cinnamon Whisky-based truffles. The previous week, it had chocolates featuring banana pudding moonshine, she said.
“We just bring a variety to the market, and if you ever want to custom order anything like that, you can dream up any flavor your heart desires and we can make it,” she said.
The name of the company originates within Vyborny’s family.
“My grandpa had nicknames for everybody, and the only thing he could think of that rhymed with McKenzie was Suzie, so he always called me ‘Kenzie Suzie,’” she said. “And then when I was old enough to drink, my mom decided it was ‘Boozie Suzie.’”
Previously a vendor at the Bayfield Farmers Market, this is Boozie Suzie’s first year at the Durango market, where it is about every other week, Vyborny said. The liquor-laden candies can also be found at local craft fairs and holiday markets.
“Christmas is probably when we’re most popular – and when things don’t melt so bad,” she said.