It’s the holiday season… which means for some of us, it’s also the drinking season. You’re too classy for rum and coke, so the next time you’re out and about in Austin go for something with a little more holiday inspiration. From classic ingredients like egg nog and rye whiskey, to to warm cocktails with Baked Apple Bitters, some of our favorite bars and restaurants have a little something to keep you warm and cozy among the not so cold winter chill while celebrating the holiday season in Austin.
Enjoy Christmas in a glass with these festive cocktails of the season…
Ugly Sweater: Rum, rye, house allspice dram, cream, egg yolk.
An eggnog-esque flip, this tastes like the holidays!
Royal Toddy: Gin, house Earl Grey ginger honey syrup, lemon juice, hot water.
A twist on a toddy, this hot beverage is beautiful and aromatic. Cozy feeling in a mug.
Carajillo: Coffee, Grand Marnier, American brandy, house cocoa bitters.
A twist on a traditional carajillo, playing on orange and chocolate’s excellent synergy with coffee. Great after dinner.
The Hightower is located at 1209 E. Seventh St. and is open Monday through Sunday offering lunch, dinner, and brunch. Helmed by Chef Chad Dolezal and co-owner Victor Farnsworth, The Hightower features sharable small plates of elevated comfort food and offers patio seating serving and craft cocktails. For hours of operations and more information, visit their website at https://thehightoweraustin.com.
Warm up with Contigo’s Hot Toddy menu! The drinks are perfect to enjoy by the fire at Contigo or under the restaurant’s winter tent.
Contigo Coffee: Rye whiskey, coffee, whipped cream, 512 pecan porter reduction
Classic Hot Toddy: Lemon, honey, allspice with your choice of spirit: bourbon, rye whiskey, aged rum
Teacher’s Pet: Applejack brandy, apple cider, cinnamon
Branca-Menta Hot Chocolate: Branca-menta, hot chocolate, whipped cream
Opened in 2011, Contigo is an outdoor restaurant in East Austin at 2027 Anchor Lane. The restaurant offers ranch-inspired dining in a comfortable atmosphere with picnic table seating, yard games, and more. The menu changes weekly, and includes charcuterie, bar snacks and small plates, and includes game-inspired dishes like rabbit and dumplings. The restaurant has become known for their burger and fries, daily happy hour specials, special events such as pig roasts, and creative cocktails. Contigo is open for dinner nightly starting at
5PM Monday–
Saturday and serves
Sunday Brunch from
11AM to 2PM. More information is available at
contigotexas.com.
Le Tremblement de Nog
Made with 1 oz Remy Martin 1738 Cognac, .5 oz Tenneyson Absinthe, .5 oz Becherovka, .25 oz (2:1) Turbinado Syrup, 1 oz Heavy Cream, 1 whole egg, cinnamon garnish.
“This single-serving nog has a little more depth and complexity than the average nog but still works as a direct, craveable nog.”
– Justin Elliot
The Townsend is a high-end cocktail lounge and live music venue located at 718 Congress Avenue in theheart of Austin’s downtown arts and entertainment district across from the Paramount Theater. Housed inthe 3,400 square foot landmark Townsend-Thompson Building, The Townsend offers a delicious menu of small plates and craft cocktails. The Townsend is operated by Austin-based hospitality group Penumbral Strategic Ventures and is open seven days a week from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information on TheTownsend, visit: Facebook.com/TheTownsendAustin and thetownsendaustin.com.
Winter Warmer 
2 Gingers Whiskey, Baked Apple Bitters, Muddled Orange, Cinnamon & Clove, Stella Cidre Hard Cider.
A homegrown concept that focuses on southern hospitality, The Dogwood is the perfect place to grab a burger during the game, enjoy happy hour, or catch some great music. The Dogwood is owned by local hospitality group, Carmack Concepts, and is located at 715 West Sixth Street in Austin, Texas. For more information, please visit www.thedogwoodaustin.com.
Holidazed (& Confused)
Casamigos blanco Tequila, 1921 Crema de Tequila, RumChata, Kahlúa, Chameleon mocha cold-brew. Stirred with ice and strained into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice. It is finished off with a house made mint bitters whipped cream that is then topped with nutmeg and crushed peppermint. Santa’s little pick me up!
Ranch 616 is located at 616 Nueces in Austin, Texas. It is a comfortable South Texas-style Ice House featuring cooking from the Gulf Coast of Mexico to the border towns of Texas. For more information go to www.theranch616.com.
Both drinks give a nod to our favorite Christmas movies,
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and
A Christmas StoryThe Cousin Eddy: Clove infused bourbon, cranberry liqueur, angostura bitters, topped with champagne, served up in a coupe.
You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out: Candy cane infused chocolate vodka, and Bailey’s Irish Cream
Griswold’s Eggnog: Spiced rum, Kahlua and house made eggnog topped with freshly grated nutmeg and served up.
Bourbon Brew Buzz: Coffee & vanilla infused bourbon, Jerry Thomas Decanter Bitters, muddled orange zest and simple syrup.
Icenhauer’s, Austin’s popular bungalow bar located on buzzy Rainey Street, features great cocktails, unique house blended spirits, and a full bar. Icenhauer’s offers live music Fridays – Sundays and a great weekday happy hour. For more information, visit:
https://www.icenhauers.com.
Zabaglione and Vin Brulé
The hotel is offering two great holiday cocktails and the hotel’s restaurant, Visconti Ristorante & Bar, is open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Zabaglione: Fresh Italian style eggnog fortified with Cynar (Served cold)
Vin Brulé: Italian spiced mulled wine made from Paolo Scavino Rosso, a blend of Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto (Served warm)
Italian sophistication meets modern luxury at the newly opened Hotel Granduca Austin, a Tuscan-inspired boutique hotel. Visconti Ristorante & Bar, a celebration of authentic northern Italian cuisine, helmed by James Beard award-winning Chef Tom Parlo blends local, seasonal ingredients with Italian staples, the menu offers a progressive take on traditional flavors. For more informaton, visit:
https://granducaaustin.com/
Warm up with Contigo’s Hot Toddy menu! The drinks are perfect to enjoy by the fire at Contigo or under the restaurant’s winter tent.
The hotel is offering two great holiday cocktails and the hotel’s restaurant, Visconti Ristorante & Bar, is open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.