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Texas restaurants and drinkeries have just the sip for enduring social distancing at home with creative pre-mixed cocktails. The only rule for liquor to-go is that you must order food. No problem: Manhattans, sangrias, salty dogs, margaritas and marvelous munchies coming right up!
AUSTIN
Güero’s Taco Bar
Everyone knows the signature margaritas are the drink at this Tex-Mex institution. All cocktails are now available to-go and the food and cocktail menu can be perused here. Guero’s is open daily from 11 am to 10 pm with dine-in capped at 50%.
Here Nor There
As you plan your Labor Day backyard BBQs, why not add a smoky, flavorful craft cocktail with grilled ingredients to jazz up your at-home dining? Channel vacation vibes by using fun, beachy ingredients in a serious tequila cocktail. The key to the Sea and Salt is charring the pineapple and lime on the grill. Nobody ever said you can’t barbecue fruit! Order online to-go.
The Peached Tortilla
Austin’s hip and much-beloved Asian-fusion restaurant is serving up fun cocktails, pre-mixed to-go. Consider the tongue-tingling Margarita de Peached with habanero-infused tequila and Thai basil or the State of Mind (gin, lime juice, strawberry shrub five spice ginger).
The Roosevelt Room
This two-time 2020 Spirited Awards nominee is whipping up pre-batched cocktail bottles, which make multiple drinks (8.5 oz. or 25 oz.) with preparation instructions including glassware suggestions, serving suggestions and pro tips from the staff. Try the Lonesome Dove (blanco tequila, grapefruit, lime, cinnamon syrup, vanilla, Himalayan salt rose water), classic Old Fashioned, Vodkadora and more. Delivery or pickup.
Ten Ten
At this recent addition to Austin’s evolving West 6th Street, the signature cocktails hit all the right notes: spicy, sweet and acidic. Channeling TenTen’s Japanese roots, the Yuzu Picante is tequila-based with a twist: the grilled pineapple adds a savory note to balance the fragrance of the yuzu fruit.
HOUSTON
Relish Restaurant & Bar
Cocktails at this River Oaks neighborhood haunt are stunners. The Rita, a unique take on a margarita, includes Puebla Viejo tequila, agave, egg white, lime and Cointreau Noir. Also notable—the Rosé Spritz with fresh strawberries and basil, the Lavender Sour, and amazing frozen Salty Dog starring Deep Eddy grapefruit vodka. Don’t pass up the grilled artichoke, carpaccio or deviled eggs.
Eight Row Flint
Ranch Water is the ‘it’ Texas summer sip. Anticipate a refreshing almost clear blend of Hacienda de Chihuahua sotol blanco, clarified lime, lime oleo, grapefruit oil and salt. Order it as a single or by the quart and serve over ice. Ahhhh!
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
There’s a cult following in almost every major Texas city for these juicy, inventive burgers. Just reading the menu will make your stomach growl. But the frosty, value-priced cocktails also are pretty swell. Try the Doble Fina margarita with black sea salt, The Skinny Dip or the Frozen Strawberry Marg.
SAN ANTONIO
Sangria On The Burg
For the sangria fanatic, here’s your stop for a variety of sangria kits to-go, which each make 10 cocktails. The grapefruit version is a standout! It includes pineapple, grapefruit, Jarritos grapefruit soda, Deep Eddy grapefruit vodka and white wine.
Cherrity Bar
This ramen bar donates a portion of its profits to charity. Order the popular Painkiller (fresh pineapple, coconut cream, rum) or dozens of other perfectly executed potions. Wash it down with savory gyoza, bao, yakitori or katsu sliders. Check out the website for updated to-go curbside specials.
DALLAS
Jaxon Texas Kitchen & Beer Garden
Cruise over for batched cocktails in 375ml bottles (equal to seven cocktails per order) in flavors such as the Jaxon BBQ Bloody Mary and Jaxon Lights Out featuring Tito’s and hibiscus-blueberry tea.
Fireside Pies
Pick up your fave piping hot artisan pie and cocktail kits to-go in several flavors including the Moscow Mule (6-drink kit $45), Grapefruit Rickey (6-drink kit $45), and Fireside Sangria (3-drink kit $25).
Cover: New, refreshing cocktails at Relish Restaurant & Bar, Houston. Photo Julie Soefer
Robin Barr Sussman (rbs@pdq.net) is a freelance culinary and travel writer who studied at the Culinary Institute of America Greystone, Calif. As a chef for Sonoma County wineries, her specialty was food and wine pairing. Sussman is a columnist for Houston Modern Luxury Magazine, Prime Living and Houston House & Home. Her work also appears in Texas Monthly, Fodor’s and Private Clubs Magazine.
