Staying Cool in Houston: A Guide to the City’s Best Frozen Cocktails
As the temperature rises in Houston, it’s essential to have a refreshing drink in hand to beat the heat. Fortunately, the city’s bartenders are serving up an impressive array of boozy adult slushies that are perfect for hot summer days.
Top Picks for Frozen Cocktails
From classic margaritas to unique creations, Houston’s bars and restaurants offer a wide range of frozen drinks that are sure to quench your thirst. Here are some of the top picks:
- Brennan’s: The Bananas Faster is a must-try, with sautéed bananas, rum, and cinnamon blended with Bacardi rum and soft serve.
- Confessions: The Sweet Surrender is a twist on the classic Dreamsicle, with vanilla and whipped vodka swirled with oranges.
- Grand Prize: The 20th Century is a frosty concoction of gin, lemon, Lillet, and crème de cacao, while the Frozen Miami Vice is a half-strawberry daiquiri and half-pina colada.
More Frozen Favorites
Other notable mentions include:
- Happy Go Lucky: With over 20 frozens to choose from, patrons can find everything from tart palomas to zesty mules.
- Hudson House: The frozen Bellini is a highlight, blending vodka with fresh peach puree and topped with a Grand Marnier floater.
- Il Bracco: The Bracco is a frozen greyhound made with Aperol, New Amsterdam, and fresh grapefruit, available to-go in half-gallon bottles.
Summer Specials
As the summer heats up, many bars are introducing new frozen cocktails to their menus. Some highlights include:
- Johnny’s Gold Brick: The Garden Party is a refreshing gin-based blend of juniper-forward genever, watermelon, bell pepper, and herbal liqueur.
- Monkey’s Tail: The tropical spot features two frosty mainstays, Tommy’s Marg and the sweet-spicy Chile Mangonada, as well as seasonal specials like the Northside and Banana Colada.
- Refuge: The Blended Sling is a vibrant drink made with saffron-infused Vietnamese gin, pineapple sherbet, and pomegranate.
Frozen Cocktails Galore
With so many options to choose from, it’s hard to decide where to start. Other notable bars serving up frozen cocktails include:
- The Savoy: Sneaky Link and the Emancipation are two highlights, with the latter blending the house frozen margarita with 818 Tequila Reposado and pineapple.
- Solarium: The stylish lounge offers four options, including the 820 Marg, El Mercado, Purple Drank, and the Courtside Frosé.
- Starduster Lounge: The Rio Red Shandy is a refreshing update on the Frozen Shandy, combining Lone Star beer, lemon, grapefruit, and vodka.
Dive Bars and Hidden Gems
Even the city’s dive bars and hidden gems are getting in on the frozen cocktail action. Some highlights include:
- Two Headed Dog: The intimate Midtown dive always has four frozens on rotation, including the gin-based Blood of My Enemies and the rum-based Siren’s Drawl.
- Under the Volcano: The tiki bar offers two simple yet delightful frozen riffs on classics, the Screwdriver and the Cuba Libre.
- Voodoo Queen: The daiquiri dive is a frozen fan’s paradise, with eight machines spinning boozy slushies at all times.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a classic margarita or a unique creation, Houston’s bars and restaurants have got you covered. With so many frozen cocktails to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect drink to beat the heat this summer. So why not try something new and cool off with a boozy adult slushie? Your taste buds (and your temperature) will thank you.
