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Here are nine new holiday-themed cocktail concoctions to help you get into the holiday spirit.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Lights are intertwined on trees and encircled on every lamppost, rose-cheeked locals are smiling at bundled-up tourists as they pass each other on the sidewalk and the overcast Texas sky is tempting with the highly unlikely possibility of snow.
But the real magic happens indoors. Step inside one of these beloved Austin watering holes and hideaways for a few sips off their new holiday-cocktail menus. Offering hot toddies with a twist, and classics like eggnog and cider, these Austin bars provide a variety of original, handcrafted options that are sure to have you buzzing.
Here’s a list of some of the top holiday-cocktail concoctions you’ll want to try now at area hot spots.
Contigo
2027 Anchor Lane
contigotexas.com
This outdoor restaurant in East Austin is as renowned for its inviting, light-strung patio space as it is for its ever-shifting menu, featuring game-inspired dishes like rabbit and dumplings. Keep warm on a cold Texas night by ordering a hot toddy and taking a seat by the outdoor fire pit. Cuddle up with a Contigo Coffee, a concoction of rye whiskey, coffee, whipped cream and a 512 Pecan Porter reduction, or try a Branca Menta hot chocolate, a combination of Branca Menta Italian mint liqueur, hot chocolate and whipped cream, or a Teacher’s Pet, made with Applejack brandy, apple cider and cinnamon.
Our pick: the classic hot toddy, made with lemon, honey, allspice and your choice of spirit: bourbon, rye whiskey or aged rum.
The Townsend
718 Congress Ave., suite 100
thetownsendaustin.com
Pass through the century-old doors of this high-end cocktail lounge and live-music venue on Congress Avenue, and something changes. All of a sudden, you feel elegant. The Townsend is located in the heart of downtown Austin’s arts and entertainment district, directly across from the Paramount Theatre. The renovation this 3,400-square-foot landmark underwent before it opened in April is just as impressive as the amount of creativity involved in the crafting of its cocktails. This season, The Townsend’s special holiday drink is the Le Tremblement de Nog. The concoction is made with Rémy Martin 1738 Cognac, Tenneyson Absinthe, Becherovka liqueur, Turbinado syrup, heavy cream, one whole egg and a garnish of cinnamon.
Our pick: Le Tremblement de Nog, of course.
The Hightower
1209 E. Seventh St.
thehightoweraustin.com
The Hightower has a classic tavern feel, embodying a comfortable and nostalgic holiday mood. To celebrate the season, the bar is offering three holiday-cocktail options: a twist on eggnog called the Ugly Sweater, made with rum, rye, house allspice dram, cream and egg yolk; an amped-up toddy called the Royal Toddy and the Carajillo, a drink pairing coffee with Grand Marnier, American brandy and house cocoa bitters. Tucked away inside the bar’s dark and snug setting, it’s easy to feel like you’ve found a home away from home for the holidays.
Our pick: the Royal Toddy, made with gin, house Earl Grey ginger-honey syrup, lemon juice and hot water.
Hotel Granduca
320 S. Capital of Texas Hwy.
granducaaustin.com
Italian sophistication meets modern luxury at the newly opened Hotel Granduca, a Tuscan-inspired boutique hotel with panoramic views of the Texas Hill Country and city. The hotel’s restaurant, Visconti Ristorante & Bar, is serving two specialty cocktails this season: the Zabaglione, an egg-based Italian cocktail, and Vin Brule, a spiced mulled wine served warm. Bonus: The hotel and restaurant are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Our pick: the Zabaglione, a fresh Italian-style eggnog fortified with Cynar liqueur and served cold.
Icenhauer’s
83 Rainey St.
icenhauers.com
Icenhauer’s, a bungalow-esque bar on Rainey Street, serves an entire menu of holiday cocktails, including some inspired by holiday movies like Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story. From the peppermint-infused taste of the You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out Kid, to the spicy Griswold’s Eggnog and the classic spiced hot apple cider, Icenhauer’s has something for every palate (and movie choice). This bar has a cozy ambiance that makes you feel like you’re sipping a cocktail in a snow-covered cabin in the middle of Texas.
Our pick: You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out Kid, made with candy-cane-infused chocolate vodka and Baileys Irish Cream, or the Bourbon Buzz Brew, made from coffee and vanilla-infused bourbon, Jerry Thomas Decanter Bitters, muddled orange and simple syrup.
Ranch 616
616 Nueces St.
theranch616.com
This holiday, this comfortable, low-key South Texas-style icehouse has added a new cocktail to the menu: Holidazed (& Confused). The drink is a blend of Casamigos blanco tequila, 1921 Crema de Tequila, RumChata, Kahlúa and Chameleon Mocha Cold-Brew. Stirred with ice and strained into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice, it’s finished off with a house-made mint-bitters whipped cream and topped with nutmeg and crushed peppermint.
Our pick: the Holidazed (& Confused), minus the confusion.
Péché
208 W. Fourth St.
pecherestaurant.com
Péché, which translates to “sin” in French, is Austin’s premier absinthe bar, though its holiday-inspired drinks veer away from the green fairy and stick to the red-nosed reindeer. But don’t be fooled; the new cocktails are just as strong. The downtown bar offers a hot buttered rum, a whiskey-based "Angel in the Winter" and a gin-based "Christmas Came Early" (pictured).
Our pick: the hot buttered rum, made with Brugal Rum, butter, allspice dram and cinnamon.
Jacoby’s Restaurant and Mercantile
3235 E. Cesar Chavez St.
jacobysaustin.com
This eastside eatery and bar is offering three holiday cocktails this season: a twist on the classic eggnog called Old Nog, a coffee-based hot cocktail called the Cold Front and Santa’s Little Helper, a special spin on mulled wine.
Our pick: Santa’s Little Helper, made with Deep Eddy Ruby Red, Cointreau, cranberry, orange, mulling spice and sparkling wine.
The Dogwood
715 W. Sixth St.
thedogwoodaustin.com
Emanating Southern hospitality, The Dogwood is the perfect place to grab a burger during the game, enjoy a happy hour or listen to some great music—any other day of the year. The holidays only stick around for so long though, and The Dogwood has stepped up its cocktail game with the Winter Warmer. The drink is made with Gingers Whiskey, Baked Apple Bitters, muddled orange, cinnamon, clove and Stella Cidre.
Our pick: the Winter Warmer, please.
Photos courtesy of Contigo, The Townsend, The Hightower, Ranch 616, Hotel Granduca and Icenhauer’s.
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