Here are 6 festive ho-ho-holiday cocktails to try in Austin this season
We love the holidays — they come with beautifully decorated bars and fun, themed drinks. So, we took on our hardest journalism assignment to date: drinking cute drinks in cute bars. Don't you feel bad for us?
After an afternoon of investigating, AKA doing a holiday bar crawl, we found six drinks we'd have again or recommend to a friend. Reader, you're our friend. Check out our list and let us know what you plan on trying:
'Ho Ho Hot Toddy' at Gibson Street Bar
Is there anything more classic than a hot toddy during the holidays? The "Ho Ho Hot Toddy" at Gibson Street Bar, 1109 South Lamar Blvd., is made with Old Forester bourbon, honey, lemon, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. It's the right amount of sweet and makes you feel warm physically and also in your heart. The drink is $15 and comes in a cute mug.
More: These 10 Austin holiday pop-up bars will make you feel like you're in a Hallmark movie
'Mazel Tov' at Donn's Depot
Donn's Depot, 1600 West Fifth St., has all kinds of fun holiday drinks to choose from, including a tequila-based beverage made with pear nectar called "A Partridge in a Pear Tree." But we found ourselves gravitating toward the "Mazel Tov" and maybe that was because it comes with chocolate. Who knows! The drink, which is $12 and bright blue, is made with peanut butter whiskey and topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. It comes with a piece of chocolate money AKA "gelt," which is given during Hanukkah. The "Mazel Tov" is creamy and perfect for those who don't love when their alcohol tastes like alcohol.
A bonus Donn's Depot mention: the hot chocolate. Listen, sometimes you just need a hot chocolate. The one at Donn's Depot tastes like real chocolate and is made even better once the whipped cream topping melts into the drink.
More: The ultimate holiday gift guide for the Austinite in your life
'Peppermint Hot Cocoa' at Lala's Little Nugget
The "Peppermint Hot Cocoa" at Lala's Little Nugget, 2207 Justin Lane, tastes like the holiday season. Let us explain. It's made with hot cocoa and Ice 101 Peppermint Schnapps and is topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. It's minty and sweet and warm. It'll make you want to go look at Christmas lights or bundle up in a sweater. The drink is $10.
More: 10 Austin markets to shop at during the 2023 holiday season
'Geltini' at Kitty Cohen's
If you like your dirnks to be milkshakes, the "Geltini" at Kitty Cohen's, 2211 Webberville Road #3548, is for you. The frozen beverage is part of the bar's annual Hanukkah pop-up and is made with Skyy Vodka, Irish cream, coffee liqueur, cold brew and it comes with a little candy cane. The "Geltini" tastes like a grown-up chocolate shake with a little punch to it. It costs $14.
'Sippin' Santa' at Nickel City
Did we order this drink just because it came in a really cute Santa cup? Maybe! The "Sippin' Santa" at Nickel City, 1133 East 11th St., is made with aged Demerara rum, Amaro, lemon, orange, and gingerbread mix. This one doesn't taste like Christmas in a cup, and instead brings a hint of gingerbread to the tastebuds. It's fruity and fun and costs $16.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: From hot chocolate to Santa cups: Try these holiday drinks in Austin
