Eat + Drink Beer + Wine + Cocktails

The Best Cocktails in Austin: Drink Like A Local

Austin, Texas is one of the most entertaining places on the planet. From epic live music to a culinary scene that includes food trucks, tacos, barbecue, and New York-style pizza, Austin has it all. When it comes to craft beers, cocktails, and wine the city is worth its weight in gold. Whether you want frozen drinks like margaritas, a rare fernet, or a whiskey cocktail, you’re in luck when you’re in town. Check out the best cocktails in Austin with this guide to must-try drinks across the city.

The Best Cocktails to Try In Austin

Golden Porsche at Midnight Cowboy

https://midnightcowboymodeling.com 
313 E 6th St

The Golden Porsche is made with Galliano, scotch whiskey, angostura bitters, smoked chili, lemon, and vanilla syrup. It’s a truly exquisite drink with a hint of spicy flavor and a touch of sweetness with the addition of vanilla. What’s even better, you can enjoy your specialty house cocktail in one of Austin’s most famous locales. The bar is steeped in history, once serving as a brother and speakeasy. Reservations are recommended as the place is small, but there is also a back patio where you can enjoy a limited menu.

Peaches & Bees at Apis

http://www.apisrestaurant.com
23526 Hwy 71 West

Each year, the Austin Food and Wine Alliance hosts a competition for the quintessential Austin drink. This year, eatery Apis won the award for the “Official Drink of Austin” with their fun cocktail Peaches & Bees. It’s made with lemon and lime juice, crème de peche, housemade peach nectar, bourbon, and honey syrup sourced from bees on the property.

The Roosevelt Room Old Fashioned

https://www.therooseveltroomatx.com
307 W 5th St Unit B

The Roosevelt Room is an award-winning cocktail bar that serves up artisan-crafted cocktails with a friendly flair that you can only find in the south. Keep it traditional with the classic old fashioned and see how the highly trained staff elevates the classic cocktail. Featuring Buffalo Trace bourbon, Demerara syrup, Angostura and Wormwood bitters, and orange peel, it’ll be the best old fashioned you’ve ever had. They also have great negronis and are conveniently located in downtown Austin.

APT 115

https://www.apartmentonefifteen.com
2025 E 7th St Apt 115

Technically not a cocktail bar, we’re so in love with the wines and atmosphere at APT 115 that we had to include it on this list. The wine bar offers an intimate atmosphere that is the perfect spot for enjoying high-quality wines in the company of friends and staff that start to feel like family. The wine list is always changing, but you can expect to find a selection of whites, reds, roses, and oranges from small-producing vintners.

Little Black Numbers at Whisler’s

https://whislersatx.com
1816 E. 6th St

Whisler’s is a two-in-one cocktail bar and mezcaleria. Start the evening off enjoying a cocktail downstairs in the rustic-themed bar and finish the night with a tasting of Mexican mezcal upstairs in the mezcaleria. Little Black Numbers is made using madeira, brandy, figs, lemon, and vanilla. For a second option, we love the Fine & Dandy featuring rye whiskey, vermouth, and Cointreau.

Whiskey at Drink.Well

https://www.drinkwellaustin.com
207 E 53rd St

While the neighborhood bar and gastropub is known for delicious food, it’s also one of the best spots in town to grab craft cocktails. The bar stocks more than 75 types of whiskey and the Haymaker is not to be missed featuring Rittenhouse rye whiskey, Still Austin dry rye gin, orange-infused olorosso sherry, and cardamom bitters. If that’s not your thing, check out their extensive cocktail menu for something that’s more up your alley.

Firehouse Lounge

https://www.firehousehostel.com/lounge
605 Brazos St

Firehouse Lounge is the place to go if you want to meet new people and make a few friends. The lounge is located inside Fireside Hostel and offers a touch of old-world charm in the modern oasis of dirty sixth street. Here, you’ll find all the classic cocktails and the live music makes it a wonderful spot to begin exploring the musical nature of Austin. Stop in for happy hour to get some great deals on food and drink.

photo 1509669803555 fd5edd8d5a41Frosé at Kitty Cohen

https://www.kittycohens.com
2211 Webberville Rd

Get rebellious at this funky outdoor patio and cocktail lounge. With a distinct 1970s theme, the bar is the perfect spot to cool off in the summer while enjoying a glass of Frosé. Grab your girlfriends, put on your cat-eye stunners, and grab a cocktail at this fun cocktail spot. The drink menu also includes tiki bar inspired drinks along with classics like tequila and whiskey.

Artists‘ Special at Small Victory

http://www.smallvictory.bar
108 E 7th St

Small Victory is a dive bar located in the parking garage at the Intercontinental Austin Hotel. The Artists’ Special adds a new spin on the classic whiskey sour. The drink was designed to mimic the house cocktail of the famous Artists Bar on Rue Pigalle in Paris, France. The bar offers a storied history and was home to many literary greats and artists. At Small Victory, the drink features American whiskey and groseille syrup.

Frozen Irish Coffee at Nickel City

https://www.nickelcitybar.com
1133 E 11th St

Keeping with the homage to French culture, Nickel City serves up a delightful Frozen Irish Coffee that is a tribute to the famous version at Erin Rose in New Orleans. The drink is a luxurious and rich treat featuring coffee liqueur, Irish whiskey, and cream. Best of all, Nickel City ahs some of the best food in Austin with incredible sliders, wings, and Detroit-style coneys.

Whiskey On Tap at The White Horse

https://www.thewhitehorseaustin.com
500 Comal St

The White Horse is a whiskey slinging honky-tonk bar where whiskey flows all night long. The bar features live music to get you grooving and the dance floor is the perfect spot to show off your two-stepping.

Peche

The Dragoncello at Townsend

https://www.thetownsendaustin.com
718 Congress Ave

The Townsend is located in the Congress Avenue district made famous by bars and bats along. The Dragoncello features a unique blend of El Silencio mezcal, amaro Montenegro, Cocchi Americano, lemon, and tarragon honey. It has a warming feel and the tarragon adds an exquisite scent tit his must-have cocktail.

Love in the Ruins at Olamaie

https://olamaieaustin.com
1610 San Antonio St

Trying to forget about a bad breakup or just want to get the bad taste out of your mouth from your late relationship? Try the Love in Ruins at fancy eatery Olamaie. The beverage is made using bourbon, Amontadillo sherry, Benedictine, aromatic bitters, and lemon. It’s just what you need to forget your worries and start with a  clean slate.

photo 1558383409 ab7ef8db3e01Cheers To A Fun Night With the Best Cocktails in Austin

Whether you’re in Austin, Texas for a celebration or you live here and are looking for something new to try, these are some of the best cocktails in Austin. Not only are the drinks delicious, you’ll find an atmosphere that suits you whether you want laid-back vibes on a rooftop bar or an elegant experience. From the east side to North Loop, Rainey Street and everywhere in between, the city’s bars serve up the best craft cocktails.

Author
Erika Marty
Erika Marty

Erika is an avid traveler who has been to more than 60 countries where she finds food, activities, and hidden locales for touring like a local. When she’s not writing, she enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and planning her next adventure.

Learn more about Erika

Comments (6)

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