Cooler temperatures are finally here. If, like me, you’re not a fan of 100-degree temperatures and castigating sun rays, you’re probably celebrating.
What better way to celebrate the cold and welcome the holidays than to partake in a couple of wintry craft cocktails from some of Austin’s best locally-owned establishments? Here are eight to get you started. Cheers!
#1 Icenhaur’s: You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out
You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out at Icenhaur’s
Icenhauer’s is located near downtown on Rainey Street and is known for their cocktails made with infused liquors. This year, Icenhaur’s holiday drink menu is steeped in Griswold family tradition and Christmas Story references. Their You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out cocktail is made with candy cane-infused chocolate vodka and Bailey’s Irish Cream.
They also have a fire pit out back. It’s the perfect place to huddle up with one of their holiday cocktails and enjoy winter while it lasts.
83 Rainey St. – Website
#2 The Townsend: Hot Buttered Rum
Hot Buttered Rum at The Townsend
Townsend bartender Justin Elliot was recently named one of America’s best bartenders by Thrillist. The Townsend is located downtown, just a couple of blocks from the State Capitol Building and The Driskill.
Don’t miss this warm, buttery beverage, containing hot Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum and armagnac. The Townsend’s Hot Buttered Rum is topped with a dollop of unsalted butter mixed with brown sugar, and a blend of cinnamon, clove and star anise. The Townsend grinds their spices in-house.
718 Congress Ave. #100 – Website
#3 Whisler’s: The Fallen Leaf
Credit: Whisler’s own Justin Stidham, inventor of The Fallen Leaf
Whisler’s is a favorite eastside hangout–dog-friendly with inventive cocktails. The Fallen Leaf is one of their highlighted cocktails this season. It was also recently featured on KXAN.
The Fallen Leaf is made using Whisler’s housemade apple cider (which has a touch of ginger), fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, cinnamon, Meletti amaro and, one of my favorite rums, 7-year Flor de Caña. As an added fall touch, they infuse the Flor de Caña with Texas pecans.
1816 E. 6th St. – Website
#4 Ranch 616: The Gran Pepino
Creating The Gran Pepino at Ranch 616
What better combination to warm you up than booze and a couple of hot chili peppers? Also, who wouldn’t want to try a drink called The Great Cucumber? One of Ranch 616’s featured fall cocktails is The Gran Pepino, made with Centenario reposado tequila, fresh-squeezed lime, jalapeño and cucumber slices, and a habanero-lime syrup with a chili-salted rim. The drink sounded a little summery in my opinion, but the tequila, habanero and jalapeño changed my mind after the heat rush kicked in.
616 Nueces St. – Website
#5 The Tigress Pub: Irish Coffee
Irish Coffee with a twist at The Tigress
The Tigress Pub is a North Loop neighborhood bar serving classic cocktails and local beer on tap. One of their specialty winter cocktails is their Irish coffee, made with Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey (a triple-distilled single malt whiskey), brown sugar, simple syrup and coffee. It’s topped with a frothy cream.
100 W. North Loop Blvd. – Website
#6 Drink.Well.: Stone Fence
Drink.Well., also located in the North Loop neighborhood, serves some of the best craft cocktails in the city, as well as tasty bites to accompany them. One of the cocktails on their fall seasonal menu is their take on the Stone Fence.
A Stone Fence is a traditional fall beverage made with either brandy, applejack, scotch or bourbon, and hard cider. Drink.Well. prepares their version with Cutty Sark Prohibition, Austin’s own Argus Ginger Perry cider, fresh lemon bitters and fall spices–garnished with candied ginger.
207 E. 53rd St. – Website
#7 Fixe: Hotty Toddy
If you’re looking for a hot toddy to keep you warm, try the one at Fixe, a restaurant with a gourmet take on southern soul food. Fixe’s toddy is made with hot apple cider that is run through a tea steeper full of herbs and cinnamon sticks. The strained cider goes directly into your cup of Basil Hayden’s Kentucky bourbon. Best of all, this drink is served with a spoonful of pie filling.
500 W. 5th St. – Website
#8 Bar Congress: Autumn Bourbon Sour
Bar Congress, located at Congress and 2nd Street, is known for their craft cocktails and wine selection. One of their star cocktails for the season is the Autumn Bourbon Sour. It’s made with 10-year aged bourbon steeped in black tea, combined with applejack, lemon and Bar Congress’ own version of Southern Comfort: Tennessee whiskey infused with apricot, maple, ginger and fall spices.
200 Congress Ave. – Website
@natalien_n wants to know:
What is your favorite winter cocktail in Austin?
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