Tacos, enchiladas, chips and queso probably the most-often ordered foods at Mexican restaurants, but these tortilla soups steal the show.
Austin’s winter may be pretty mild so far but that doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in a warm seasonal beverage. Here’s a list of our favorite spots serving up some drinks to heat you up.
It’s drink.well.’s annual Winter Warmer’s week. Hit up the eatery for boozy hot cocoa with your choice of liqueur or a Joyeux Toddy made with their house allspice dram. The diner’s intimate size means you’ll have to cozy up to your date. Luckily drink.well’s menu has plenty of shareable plates. We recommend snacking on the Pork & Pears (featuring balsamic-glazed pickled pears, golden beets, and house smoked bacon). If you’re feeling indulgent, try an order of the housemade twinkies.
The Rainey Street cocktail bar has a delicious concoction for chilly winter nights: The Orchard Warmer (made with cognac, apple brandy, maple, unsalted butter, and hot water). You can brave the elements and enjoy the bar’s lovely patio but you might prefer to cuddle up in one of the leather padded booths. For the more adventurous, order a Bartender's Choice and let the professionals concoct a beverage for you.
Make a reservation and stow away for a late night sip in this speakeasy. Once you’re inside, you’ll easily forget you’re drinking to escape Austin’s bitter cold. Share one of their specialty punches like the Rattlesnake (made with rye whiskey, lemon juice, turbinado syrup, egg white, absinthe rinse, angostura bitters). It's sure to offer a bite.
One of the east side’s best cocktail bars can definitely do a fine job with any drink you’d like. Warm yourself up with a Moscow Mule or their take on an Old Fashioned (rye whiskey, demerara syrup, and angostura bitters).
Looking for some real heat? Try out the Mezclería upstairs where you can order a half-pour (¾ ounce) of mezcal in a clay copita or a full pour served in the traditional veladora glass.
For nibbles, East Side King Thai-Kun is parked here with a menu full of hot and spicy eats. For maximum heat exposure, take an order of the Waterfall Pork (pork shoulder served with tiger cry sauce) or the Beef Panang Curry (beef chuck simmered in homemade panang curry).
There's no reason the cold should keep you at home so take advantage of the whiskey weather and drink up!