Libations
June 27, 2024
These Bars and Restaurants Are the Best Places to Drink Wine in Austin
These 13 bars and restaurants in Austin have the best wine lists, and they offer great bites to go alongside their diverse labels.
167 Articles
Libations
October 24, 2023
Remembering Ed Auler, Cofounder of Fall Creek Vineyards and Champion of the Hill Country Wine Region
Auler, who died at age 78, believed great wine could come out of Texas soil—and he proved that to be true.
Food & Drink
May 31, 2023
Twenty Years of Uchi: How One Restaurant Changed Austin’s Dining Scene Forever
The Japanese-inspired sushi bar put the capital city on the map for creative, inspired dining, and set a standard for “unreasonable hospitality.”
Libations
June 1, 2022
11 Texas Wines to Beat the Heat
This summer is already too . . . summery. Cool down with citrusy whites or cherry reds that will take you from poolside to grillside.
Libations
February 14, 2022
What to Drink Now: The Best New Texas Beers, Wines, and Spirits
Even during the worst of times, Texas keeps producing top-flight beverages.
Travel & Outdoors
January 14, 2022
The Walkable Wonders of Houston’s Montrose Neighborhood
With posh hotels and restaurants and free museums, this historic area of Houston makes for an easy, elegant weekend escape.
Libations
January 11, 2022
Three Texas Brands Pay Homage to the Spirits of the Desert
These iterations of tequila, pechuga, and sotol—all made from desert plants found in Texas and Mexico—are indicative of the trans-border spirit.
Food & Drink
December 20, 2021
Ten Texas Wines to Toast the Holidays
These homegrown selections pair well with baking spices, Christmas brisket, and a bite broken off a gingerbread house.
Libations
October 27, 2021
Free-spirited: Why More Bartenders Are Mixing Cocktails Minus the Booze
Tucked somewhere between the wine list and the dessert menu, Texans are more likely than ever to find—and order—no-gronis, no-jitos, and other alcohol-free drinks.
Libations
June 23, 2021
9 Texas Gins to Drink Now
These standout bottles make the most of what Texas has to offer, including local ingredients like pecan and lavender.
Libations
May 19, 2021
13 Texas Rosés to Sip All Summer Long
Our sunbaked soils are ideal for this pink libation. Here are favorites, including traditional styles and a few on-trend variations, from a recent blind tasting.
Libations
May 17, 2021
The History of the Paloma, Summer’s Simplest Cocktail
At its core, a paloma is just tequila and Squirt, but you wouldn't know that from the elaborate iterations on Texas bar menus.
Libations
April 20, 2021
The Best To-Go Cocktails in Austin
It’s a tough job, but we managed to scour the city for the most mood-lifting, summery cocktails in town.
Libations
February 16, 2021
What to Drink Now: The Best New Texas Beers, Wines, and Spirits
Pair that takeout meal with one of our favorite new Texas releases.
Libations
December 30, 2020
9 Sparkling Texas Drinks for Saying Good Riddance to 2020
Toast the long-awaited end to this year with any of these sparkling Texas wines, ciders, and even a ready-made cocktail.
Libations
November 18, 2020
12 Texas Wines for the Holiday Season
These festive wines will cheer up any holiday table—and they're perfect for toasting the end of 2020.
Libations
October 29, 2020
Five Things You Didn’t Know About Texas Wine
The Southwest—not California—was the birthplace of the U.S. wine industry; the Panhandle—not the Hill Country—is where Texas grapes grow best; and other little-known facts.
Libations
October 14, 2020
Has Texas Developed Its Own Style of Bourbon?
These five new grain-to-glass releases are proof that the state’s still-young whiskey industry is developing a bold regional profile.
Recipes
August 14, 2020
TM Happy Hour: A Martini That’s Ready When You Are
You’ll always be ready for cocktail time with this make-ahead batch recipe from Houston Eaves, of San Antonio’s Esquire Tavern.
Recipes
August 7, 2020
TM Happy Hour: A Southern Sipper With a Kick
For the Old Pepper, acclaimed Houston bartender Alba Huerta takes bourbon and spices it up.
Recipes
July 31, 2020
TM Happy Hour: A Classic Gin Cocktail
Bill Norris, of Alamo Drafthouse and Midnight Cowboy, pours one out for the Pegu Club, the beloved New York cocktail mecca that has permanently closed in the wake of COVID-19.
Recipes
July 24, 2020
TM Happy Hour: How to Make the Texas Margarita
Jalapeño-infused agave is the secret to this sweet and spicy version from Danny Caffall, of Dallas’s Mansion on Turtle Creek.
Recipes
July 17, 2020
TM Happy Hour: A Bourbon Twist to the Tom Collins
Pedro Ricalo, of Bullion in Dallas, shows how to make an easy, refreshing summer drink with a favorite brown spirit.
Recipes
July 10, 2020
TM Happy Hour: A Seasonal Nod to the Classic Whiskey Smash
Fort Worth’s Megan McClinton shows us how to make a berry-based cocktail, a perfect segue into the sizzling summer season.
Recipes
July 3, 2020
The Robert Royale, a Take on the Manhattan
Bartender Robert Bjorn Taylor of Austin shows how to make his at-home cocktail, the smooth and spicy Robert Royale.
Libations
June 30, 2020
Seven Texas Hard Seltzers to Try This Summer
Step aside, White Claw.
Libations
May 6, 2020
A New Texas Wine Supports Hospitality Workers in Need
All proceeds from the sale of the Wanderer Series Relief Project cinsault go to the Southern Smoke Foundation.
Libations
May 4, 2020
Five of Our Favorite Cinco de Mayo Cocktails
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo in quarantine is a cinch with these festive drinks.
Libations
May 1, 2020
Virtual Wine Tastings Pop Up Across Texas
While nothing can replace a sun-dappled afternoon at a winery, virtual tastings may be the next best thing.
Food & Drink
March 27, 2020
How to Help Texas Restaurant and Bar Employees During the Pandemic
From foundations like Southern Smoke to national and local charity efforts, here's a list of resources for an industry crippled by the coronavirus.
Libations
December 27, 2019
Ring in the New Year With Sparkling Wines (and a Cocktail) From Regions That Have Ruled Texas
Inspired by the flags that have flown over Texas, we've picked some celebratory bubbles from around the world (and from here).
Libations
December 23, 2019
The Best Wine Shops in Texas
The right retailers can help you find the perfect bargain or blowout bottle. Here are our favorites across the state, along with their recommendations for the season.
Libations
November 22, 2019
10 Texas Wines to Go With Your Turkey
The state's vintners offer some solid and delightful choices to pair with your Thanksgiving feast.
Libations
October 25, 2019
Take the Texas Two-Sip Challenge This Texas Wine Month
Decide for yourself how well some of our Lone Star State favorites stack up against international competition.
Libations
August 7, 2019
Bunny Becker, 1940–2019: Saying Goodbye to a Grand Dame of Texas Wine
From the Hill Country to the High Plains, the Texas wine industry remembers the woman known for her generous spirit and sharp palate.
Libations
June 13, 2019
Red, White, and Rosé: The Top Texas Wines to Enjoy This Summer
Any of these 37 vintages from throughout the state make for a perfect accompaniment—and bit of relief—to the season’s heat.
Food & Drink
December 26, 2018
Great Sparkling Wines and Where to Get Them in Texas
Want to start the new year with some brilliant bubbles? Here are some of our current affordable favorites—and one big splurge.
Libations
November 20, 2018
Eight Texas Wines to Serve at Thanksgiving
Which wine complements both gravy and Brussels sprouts? What can you serve alongside pumpkin pie? We've got you covered.
Libations
November 19, 2018
Where to Find the State’s Top Wine Lists
From the most extensive lists to the best by-the-glass offerings, these 35 Texas restaurants are a wine lover's dream.
Libations
September 24, 2018
Salut! The Top 50 Texas Wines for Fall
Out of the 180 new vintages we tasted from across the state, these are the bottles we highly recommend this season.
Food & Drink
September 21, 2018
Southold’s Regan Meador Takes Texas Wine in a New Direction
He’s one of a new crop of winemakers in the Hill Country who are developing fresher, lighter styles.
Libations
August 24, 2018
Six Texas Bourbons to Drink Right Now
Enjoy them straight, on the rocks, or in an inventive cocktail, such as the Tejas Ponche from Treaty Oak in Dripping Springs.
Libations
May 17, 2018
Yes Way, Texas Rosé! Our Top Picks for Summer
Here are fourteen of our favorite wines, ranging from blush to bold and shades of pink in between.
Libations
April 30, 2018
What We Learned at the International Wine Awards in Dallas
Texas vintners held their own at the competition, which included more than 3,200 entrants.
Libations
April 18, 2018
Inventive Cocktails for Cinco de Mayo
San Antonio bartenders serve up tequila and mezcal concoctions perfect for celebrating at home.
Recipes
April 18, 2018
Batman of Mexico
San Antonio's Downstairs at Esquire honors the agave's prime pollinator.
Recipes
April 18, 2018
Jalapeño Cucumber Paloma
A subtly spicy twist on the classic grapefruit cocktail.
Libations
March 21, 2018
The Top 30 Texas Wines for Spring
Go ahead and give these a swirl. Our favorites for the season, from crisp whites to juicy reds.
Libations
March 21, 2018
Alba Huerta Celebrates the South in New Cocktail Book
The owner of Houston’s Julep dives deep into the region’s beverage history and shares recipes perfect for porch sippin’.
Recipes
January 23, 2018
That’s Amaro! A Cocktail From Houston’s Coltivare
The Italian restaurant has built its drink program around this herbal liqueur. Try the Life Aquatic.