The Austinot

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Discovering Desert Door and One of Texas’ Oldest Spirits

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Desert Door Distillery Founders

Founders Ryan Campbell, Brent Looby, and Judson Kauffman produce an all-around Texan spirit
(Credit: Desert Door)

There’s a large number of craft breweries and distilleries surrounding the Austin area, so I wasn’t shocked to hear about the opening of another distillery. Until I heard the name of the spirit, that is. Sotol? Didn’t ring a bell.

But then I received an introduction, and we became fast friends.

Known to producers in northern Mexico and the West Texans who moonshine it, sotol’s extensive history still remains unknown to most people in our area. With Desert Door’s recent opening, however, that’s about to change. [Read more…]

Treaty Oak Distilling Brings Heritage to Dripping Springs

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Treaty Oak Distillery Barrel

Barrels and barrels of delicious spirits await you at Treaty Oak Distilling Co.

The sun sat low against the Hill Country skyline, blanketing the ground with yellows, reds and browns. Buildings fashioned out of reclaimed wood and discarded fences dotted the landscape. The air breathed clean as the sound of clinking glasses and laughter trickled from the wooded pavilion behind me.

If this sounds like a country fantasy, brace yourself. By embracing the majesty and power of the Hill Country, Treaty Oak Distilling Company isn’t just changing addresses. They’re building a fantastic new locale for food and spirits, and inviting good times for the whole family. An Austin classic just got a whole lot better. [Read more…]

Day Trip to Wimberley for a Tasting at Cypress Creek Reserve Rum

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Cypress Creek Reserve Rum in Wimberley, TX

Cypress Creek Reserve Rum based in Wimberley, TX

There are three things I dread during summer: sweat, swimsuits and sunburns. Rum offers a hand, a beacon of hope and joy to make all of the above a little more bearable – and at times, enjoyable! Its reliability and comfort wash away cares and concerns. And it happens to be the companion of a colorful assortment of summertime beverages: mojitos, pina coladas, hurricanes and daiquiris.

This liquid gold is synonymous with good times. So as soon as I heard we had a rum distillery a stone’s throw from Austin that offers tastings and tours, I was there within 24 hours. [Read more…]

Drink It Local With These 5 Austin Alcohol Companies

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Bar at Deep Eddy Vodka's Tasting Room

Deep Eddy Tasting Room (Credit: Deep Eddy Vodka)

Over lunch the other day at Shoal Creek Saloon, I got to drinking…I mean, thinking: Why should we call it a Long Island Iced Tea? We have plenty of alcohol companies right here in Austin! Why not call it a Longhorn Tea? It could go something like this:

  • 1 oz Tito’s or Deep Eddy Lemon
  • 1 oz Waterloo Gin
  • 1 oz Treaty Oak Platinum Rum
  • 1 oz Tequila 512
  • 1/2 oz Paula’s Texas Orange
  • 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice (not necessary if you go with Deep Eddy Lemon over Tito’s)
  • Cola to taste, garnish with lemon wedge

Before you try it (and invite me over, of course), you might want to learn about a few of the companies that produce liquor right here in Austin. [Read more…]

3 Texas Vodkas You Should Get to Know

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Vodka Girl ATX with Ushanka

You can always spot Vodka Girl ATX by her signature Ushanka

SXSW 2015 has passed the half-way mark, yet Austinites and visitors alike are still on the fortunate receiving end of complimentary spirits. There is a noticeable influx of participation and recognition from Texas owned spirit brands this year.

One local cocktail blogger, the face behind Vodka Girl ATX, has her finger on the vodka scene. Nicole Torres-Cooke covers the vodka gamut at SXSW, giving Texas vodkas a bit of extra attention.

This year I tagged along to a few of Vodka Girl’s Texas tastings, where I was introduced to brands that are doing big things, and fast, in the distillery world. [Read more…]

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