With warm, sunny weather in full effect, many Houstonians are on the hunt for the frostiest and tastiest adult beverages to quench their thirst and beat the heat. Beyond the countless Mexican and Tex-Mex establishments slinging frozen margaritas, there are an abundance of restaurants and bars serving up slushy refreshers of all kinds.
Whether it’s a tropical colada or a frozen twist on a classic cocktail, here is a list of fun places to indulge in delicious frozen drinks this summer… and basically, year-round.
Exilio Latin Flair
Newly opened at the Harlow District, frozen cocktails are part of the polished, transportive experience at Exilio Latin Flair. The Montrose newcomer leans into the vibrant flavors of Latin America and Spain with a cocktail program designed to match its dramatic indoor-outdoor setting—think icy margaritas and tropical blends in flavors that change often and arrive with as much flair as the fire-kissed dishes coming out of the kitchen. 2817 W. Dallas St., Houston, exiliolatinflair.com
Eight Row Flint
This Heights ice house from Agricole Hospitality is well regarded for its extensive list of spirits, but many regulars flock in for the frozens. There’s a frozen gin and tonic, with grapefruit and mint and a prickly pear mezcalrita. Go for a flight and pick a sampling of three of the four. Stay to eat—Eight Row Flint has a small, but mighty menu with tacos, wings, street corn hushpuppies, and a solid cheeseburger. Check out Eight Row’s East End location, which has its own dedicated menu of frozens, including the Painkiller, a tropical, rum-based slush with coconut and pineapple flavors. 1039 Yale St., Houston, agricolehospitality.com/eight-row-flint/
Winnie’s
Conveniently located on the rail at Mid Main, Winnie’s is the perfect place to hang before heading to a show at the Continental Club or roaming the nearby shops for vintage vinyl. While its food menu gets lots of attention, the cocktail program, which includes $12 frozens, also shines. Beyond a traditional frozen margarita, guests can opt for the frozen peach bourbon iced tea; a strawberry daiquiri, made with Winnie’s house rum blended with strawberry and lime cordial; or the frozen Saturn, a gin-based slush of passion fruit, almond orgeat, falernum, and lemon. 3622 Main St., Houston, winnie’shouston.com
Loro Asian Smokehouse
Chef Tyson Cole and pitmaster Aaron Franklin are the brains behind this Tex-Asian restaurant from Austin that now has two locations in Houston. Try dishes like smoked shisito queso and char siew pork belly with one of Loro’s boozy slushees. The frozen gin and tonic is a go-to for many, and there’s a frozen espresso martini too. Loro has added two new slushees including Dragonade, a vodka and strawberry lemonade blend, plus the Mango Spritzy Rice with Aperol, sake, passionfruit, and sparkling wine. To get the most bang for your buck, try a slushee flight, which features three flavors for $14, or visit during the weekday happy hour from 2 to 6 p.m. when slushees are on special for $5. Multiple locations, loroeats.com
EZ’s Liquor Lounge
Also from Agricole Hospitality, EZ’s Liquor Lounge was named one of “The Best Bars in America” in 2023 by Esquire magazine. Though there are only two frozens on the menu, both are worth making the drive to the Heights for. The Famous EZ margarita is made with Pueblo Viejo blanco tequila, while the Slurrrrricane is a refreshing blend of rum, Amontillado sherry, lemon, lime, fassionola syrup, and Angostura bitters. Pair it with a chili pie or a meatloaf sammich for nourishment. 3302 White Oak Dr., Houston, agricolehospitality.com/ezs-liquor-lounge
The Burger Joint
Known for its specialty burgers and all-beef hot dogs, this restaurant and patio bar has a couple of boozy milkshakes on the menu. The 8th Wonder Rocket Fuel Shake is made with the brewery’s Vietnamese coffee-style porter; while the Not Your Father’s Root Beer is a boozy alternative to the classic soda pop. Non-alcoholic shakes are aplenty, in flavors like peanut butter, Vietnamese coffee, and salted caramel. Multiple locations, burgerjointhtx.com
Under the Volcano
This Rice Village stalwart with a casual Mexican cantina atmosphere has friendly bartenders and two frozen drinks that have been around almost as long as the bar itself. The frozen screwdriver is simply a blend of orange juice and vodka, but at $10, it won’t break the bank; while the frozen Cuba Libre tastes like a boozy version of a Coke Icee. Don’t leave without trying the queso. 2349 Bissonnet St., Houston, underthevolcanohouston.com
PKL Social
Pickleball is having a moment in Houston, with PKL Social among the many new places to explore. Guests can reserve a court for playing, or sit idly by drinking a cold beverage while watching others work up a sweat. If the latter is more your speed, there are four frozens to consider: margarita, mango chamoy, frose, and strawberry lemonade. They’re tasty, and at $12 each, they are easy on the pocketbook, too. Linger over bar bites, salads, burgers, and sandwiches. 1112 Shepherd Dr., Houston, pklsocial.com
NettBar
Those seeking a dog- and kid-friendly environment in which to sip frozen cocktails will appreciate the chill vibe at either the Shady Acres or West End locations of Nett Bar. Parents can kick back and relax with one of many frozen concoctions, while kids can enjoy their own dedicated menu and a play area. For a taste of nostalgia, try the Dreamsicle, made with orange vodka and cream. Other crowdpleasing frozens include the Ketel One vodka lemonade, paloma, Slane Irish coffee, and the prickly pear frosé. Visit during happy hour, Tuesday through Friday, and score $6 frozens. Multiple locations, nettbarhouston.com
Monkey’s Tail
This Lindale Park haunt skirts the line between hip and divey with its retro flair, laid-back atmosphere, and vibey patio. Monkey’s Tail has frozens on offer, including the chile mangonada and banana colada. Even on warm weather days, guests love taking to the dog-friendly patio, fitted with TVs, for outdoor sipping and socializing. 5802 Fulton St., Houston, monkeystailhou.com
Voodoo Queen Daiquiri Dive
This quirky watering hole has frozen drink machines churning out frosty daiquiris in a myriad of flavors like the coffee-flavored Volcano Joe and the Basic Betty with strawberries and rum. There is also a menu of machine blends that mixes various flavors together with a tooter, or shooter, of extra booze. Frozen drink connoisseurs will appreciate the hand-blended daiquiris spiked with Bacardi 151 rum, in varieties like the Banana Hammock, made with fresh bananas; and the Thrilla Gorilla, which combines banana, coffee liqueur, and chocolate. 322 Milby St., Houston, ssvoodooqueen.com
The Spot
This Galveston tiki bar and restaurant opened a location in League City in 2023, followed by an outpost at Hobby Airport. With its “Island Famous” slogan, the Spot is a haven for frozen drinks and a laid back tropical experience. Go for the standard frozen pina colada, or try the Dirty Monkey, a pina colada made with banana cream rum and Malibu black rum. Other frozens include margaritas in a number of flavors that can be enjoyed as a flight for $15. Multiple locations, thespotrestaurants.com
Happy Go Lucky
This Hawaiian shaved ice stand in the Heights rolls out plenty of non-alcoholic treats, but if you’re looking for a spiked version, they have loads of boozy and fruity options too. Find cocktail ices like the Colada Crush and Razzle Dazzle, plus soft serve versions such as pina colada and strawberry daiquiri. Hit the drive-thru for fast and convenient service, or hang around the patio and people watch.2102 N. Shepherd Dr., Houston, happygoluckyhtx.com
State Fare
Whether you’re in Memorial City or the Woodlands, you can drop in for a refreshing frozen at this family-friendly restaurant In addition to the frozen marg, there are icy bevs like ocean water, lavender lemonade with gin, and Frosé, made with rosé wine, strawberry, and peach vodka. The restaurant also offers a flight so guests can sample all four; a very happy idea indeed. Multiple locations, statefaretx.com
Trash Panda Drinking Club
This eclectic hangout located on the northside of Houston serves expertly-crafted cocktails and booze-friendly bites. The interior is quirky with all kinds of kitsch, while picnic tables outside provide plenty of space for chilling with one of many rotating flavors of frozen drinks. Check out the weekly specials online for $1 wings or tacos and $7 frozen cocktails. There’s a semi-frozen drink called We’ll All Float On that blends bourbon, house-made cherry cola, and vanilla ice cream for a nostalgic adult beverage.515 Patton St., Houston, trashpandahtx.com
