The city’s insatiable thirst for something cold and boozy sparked the 1970s invention of the frozen margarita machine, an innovation that changed the way America drinks and dines. Today, it’s hard to imagine a sizzling plate of fajitas or a mountain of nachos without a salt-rimmed frozen margarita by its side. But beyond the iconic frozen, you’ll find lots of other icy concoctions that only Texas’ triple-digit heat could inspire. Beverage pros within Dallas restaurants have pushed those hard-working slushie machines to new heights with nostalgia, caffeine and citrus to give diners lots of options when it comes to sipping on something frozen this summer.
Here are eight frozens worth sweatin’ for.
Lychee-ni at Red Stix Street Food
Red Stix Street Food’s Lychee-Ni is exclusive to the Mustang Station location. Owner and chef Uno Immanivong pays homage to her homeland with this frosty cocktail, described as “a fragrant whisper of summer evenings in Thailand.” The Lychee-Ni combines premium vodka, sweet lychee liqueur, and fruity plum wine, garnished with lychee popping pearls. Hints of citrus and floral hibiscus shine in every slushy pour. Find it at a discount for $7 during happy hour, offered weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., and all-day Saturday. 13050 Bee St., Ste. 140, Farmers Branch, redstixstreetfood.com
Mambo Taxi at Mi Cocina
Dallas couldn’t stop at the frozen margarita. Two decades after its invention, Mi Cocina upped the ante by swirling a pinot noir- and brandy-based sangria into a hard-hitting Sauza Silver frozen margarita, creating the iconic Mambo Taxi. Mi Cocina’s signature cocktail became a Dallas staple, even inspiring its own 5k. Every year in June, runners gather at Klyde Warren Park for the Mi Cocina Mambo Miles 5k, benefitting Mi Familia Foundation, where the finishers earn a medal and a Mambo Taxi. Various locations, micocina.com
Yoohoo Yeehaw at DoubleWide
DoubleWide’s nostalgic YooHoo YeeHaw is a Dallas rite of passage. Think of the first gulp as a boozy coming-of-age moment. The kitschy, trailer-park-themed bar calls the drink “a White Russian meets white trash” that “hits harder N’ dad.” This frozen specialty combines the creamy deliciousness of YooHoo with coffee liqueur and vanilla vodka, and is finished with a cherry. YooHoo YeeHaw is also available at Double Wide’s little sister concept, Single Wide. 3510 Commerce St., doublewidedallas.com
Frozen Paloma at Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q
When Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q moved from a trailer at Hop and Sting Brewing Company to Allen, there were no plans for a bar program. Pitmaster Arnulfo “Trey” Sanchez insisted on one drink, a paloma. Vaqueros’ tajín-rimmed frozen paloma ($10) is citrusy, bright, and tequila-forward, perfectly complementing the restaurant’s hickory-smoked meats and flavor-packed sides. After trying one, you’ll never want barbecue without it. 965 Garden Park Dr., Allen, vaquerostxbbq.com
Tequila Espresso at The Charlotte
The Charlotte’s Tequila Espresso ($16) is a punchy wake-up call that may just ruin traditional espresso martinis for you forever. This frozen concoction dials down the bitterness of a typical espresso martini, and instead offers bold, roasted flavors of coffee and subtle sweetness of cold foam. The first sip is jolting in the best way, followed by waves of icy, rich coffee softened with notes of vanilla and agave that linger on your tongue. 2822 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas, thecharlotterestaurant.com
Frosé at The Porch
Knox Henderson’s the Porch is combating inflation with its “inflation-free” menu and a $5 happy hour cocktail menu, but some things are worth full price. The frosé ($16) is one of them. Grab a seat on the patio, and enjoy a frosty coupe filled with vodka, rosé, botanical St. Germain, peach, and lemon. It’s a recipe for the most idyllic afternoon. 2912 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas, theporchrestaurant.com
The Original Frozen at Mariano’s Hacienda
In 1971, Mariano Martinez of Mariano’s Hacienda revolutionized the cocktail scene by repurposing an ice cream machine into a frozen margarita maker using his family’s secret margarita recipe. Today, that original machine sits at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History as one of the top ten American inventions. Order The Original Frozen ($12) at Mariano’s for a taste of history. 6300 Skillman St., Dallas, laharanch.com
The Original Frozen Ranch Water at Bowlski’s
Housed in the former 1938 Lakewood Movie Theater, Bowlski’s is a lively gaming complex and restaurant that brought new life to the iconic building. It is also home of the Original Frozen Ranch Water. Owner Craig Spivey invented the drink while on vacation in 2020, when he blended blue agave Weber tequila, sparkling water, and fresh lime juice. The icy beverage has since become a major draw of the restaurant, and makes a perfect precursor to a game of ping pong or foosball. 1825 Abrams Pkwy., Dallas, bowlskisdallas.com
