The holidays are fast approaching, and there is finally a chill in the air in Houston. Despite the unpredictable weather, Houstonians know how to enjoy the festive season to the fullest and that often means sipping a warming hot toddy or creamy eggnog cocktail. With so many places across the city to partake, it’s hard to decide which bustling bar or lounge to head to next.
From hipster hangouts to fine dining restaurants, there’s something for every elf in Houston. Cheers, and let the merriment begin!
Brennan’s
With its newly redesigned courtyard bar, Brennan’s offers a luxe place to imbibe with a healthy dose of Southern hospitality. The restaurant is famous for its Cafe Brulot, a flaming tableside punch, but it also has a less dramatic, yet equally tasty cocktail, the Parisian Gas Lamp made with Remy Martin VSOP and Cointreau Noir, topped with a flambeed orange peel. There are a number of seasonal cocktails, but guests ought to try Brennan’s homemade eggnog, which gets a kick from Buffalo Trace bourbon and Captain Morgan spiced rum. 3300 Smith St., Houston, brennansofhouston.com
Lyric Market
Located in Houston’s Theater District, this sprawling food hall has a buzzy bar, set between its multitude of food counters. The hall’s second annual Jingle & Mingle is underway for the holiday season with special seasonal cocktails on offer through the end of December. One of the holiday-themed quaffs is the Feliz Navidad Nog. Served in a Santa cup, the cocktail has a Cruzan coconut rum and coconut milk base and is spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. 411 Smith St., Houston, lyricmarket.com
The Finn
Downtown Houston is booming with places to eat and drink, including at this Main Street food hall that offers diverse choices, from pizza and wings to Thai curry and ramen. A dedicated bar within the hall is offering several holiday-themed cocktails fit for sipping this winter. A-Side of Cider & Spice is made with spiced apple cider and Milam & Greene whiskey, while the Fireside Nog is a homemade eggnog spiked with Unreined Whiskey. Visit from December 11-24, when the Finn’s moody upper level cocktail bar and vinyl listening lounge, HiFi, will feature a “12 Days of Christmas” celebration.” 712 Main St., Houston, thefinnhou.com
Miracle at Johnny’s Goldbrick
Each year, this craft cocktail lounge hosts a pop-up called Miracle at Johnny’s. The bar gets a complete holiday makeover from floor to ceiling. Among the offerings is a complete list of Miracle cocktails including Jingle Balls Nog made with cognac, cream, sherry, almond milk, and egg, and spiced with nutmeg and vanilla; and the Carol Singer, a hot apple cider with white wine, fruit liqueurs, and Christmas spices. For zero-proof options, there is the hot Snow Day Sipper and the cool Silent Night. 2518 Yale St., Houston, johnnysgoldbrick.com
Monkey’s Tail
There’s always fun to be had at this neighborhood bar in Lindale Park. This chilly season, guests can take in the over-the-top festive decor while sipping on a Ponche Villa, a warm tequila concoction flavored with baking spices, guava, and Pamplemousse liqueur, served in a Bah Humbug mug. For a cold alternative, there’s horchata eggnog with anejo tequila, Oloroso sherry, and Madeira. The housemade horchata can be ordered as a single cocktail, or by the half- or full gallon to-go. 5802 Fulton St., Houston, monkeystailhou.com
Emilia’s Havana
For those dreaming of a tropical holiday, this glamorous hideaway in Houston’s Uptown District has the vintage vibe of 1950s Cuba, complete with Hemingway-inspired cocktails and Latin bites. Through Saturday, January 3, Emilia’s is hosting its ticketed pop-up, Havana Holiday, with glittering decor and seasonal cocktails like the GingerBERG Nog, named for Berg Hospitality founder Benjamin Berg. The eggnog is elevated with the addition of Remy 1738, Black Irish white chocolate, and gingerbread syrup, and served in a glass rimmed with gingersnaps. 1800 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, emiliashavana.com
The Naturalist
Located in InterContinental Houston Hotel, this stylish bar has created a menu of drinks perfect for a cozy cuddle. The Fireside Float brings the warming flavors of a hot toddy together with the cool creaminess of a nog. The warm, spiced apple cider is mixed with bourbon and Licor 43, then topped with a whipped cream float. 6750 Main St., Houston, ihg.com/houston
Heights & Co.
This Heights hangout is popular for its lush outdoor patio, and with Houston’s temperate weather, guests can enjoy it well into the winter. The patio gets decked out for the holidays during its seasonal Fireside Experience, making it a festive spot to enjoy a Candy Cane Irish Coffee, made with Irish whiskey, locally-roasted coffee, and a heap of house-whipped candy cane cream. 1343 Yale St., Houston, heightsandco.com
Buttermilk Baby
This wonderland of an eatery from Berg Hospitality caters to kids and grown-ups alike. Through the end of December, a special eggnog shake is on offer, made with Carvel vanilla soft serve, eggnog syrup, and bourbon. It gets a tiny touch of cinnamon, plus a playful topping of whipped cream and sprinkles. Underage elves can have it sans booze. 600 N. Shepherd Dr., Ste 250, Houston, thebuttermilkbaby.com
Rainbow Lodge
For the holiday season, Rainbow Lodge beverage director Peter Clifton has created a hot, boozy beverage befitting this longtime restaurant’s hunting lodge feel. The Tungsten Toddy will cure what ails you with its Santa Fe single malt (sherry cask), honey, lemon, and hot water. It’s garnished with a fresh orange wheel and a cinnamon stick. With a background of rustic wood beams and a gorgeous stone fireplace, a visit to Rainbow Lodge during the season feels like being in a Hallmark Christmas movie. 2011 Ella Blvd., Houston, rainbow-lodge.com
Via 313
Founded in Austin, this Detroit-style pizzeria now has five locations across the Greater Houston area. During the chilly season, two hot cocktails are on offer, served in Via 313’s signature mugs. The Loco Hot Coco is an adults-only hot chocolate with Ghost tequila, creme de cacao, cold foam, and charred marshmallow. The Cure is a warm bourbon drink with caramelized fig and ginger syrup, lemon, and cardamom bitters. Multiple locations, via313.com
Truluck’s
Fresh off of its recent unveiling, Truluck’s is getting in the spirit of the season by offering a posh take on eggnog with its Holiday Nog. The drink comes in a champagne coupe and is crafted with bourbon and bourbon cream with a blend of spices that meld together for a velvety seasonal sip. 5350 Westheimer Rd., Houston, trulucks.com/houston
Ouisie’s Table
While its Red Dress Cocktail is a popular drink during the yuletide season, this iconic Houston restaurant has a selection of hot beverages to choose from when the temps dip low. The list includes hot spiced cider and a spiked house-made lemonade. Hot pumpkin coffee can be had with or without booze, and there’s traditional eggnog with bourbon. For something truly special, try the eggnog, created by Ouisie (Eloise Adams Jones) herself, made with Kahlua and Bottega Giandula liqueur. 3939 San Felipe St., Houston, ouisiestable.com
PKL Social
Patrons of PKL Social can come to play pickleball, or opt to spectate from the sidelines with a hot holiday cocktail like the Tipsy Cocoa in hand. Made with a choice of peppermint schnapps or caramel vodka, the hot drink offers a playful take on the original. PKL also has its own versions of a hot toddy and Irish coffee. 1112 Shepherd Dr., Houston, pklsocial.com
Betelgeuse Betelgeuse
This bar concept, with two locations, is far-out and funky. Its seasonal cocktails with wildly imaginative names range from simple to bizarre, like the Santa on Acid, which mixes Jagermeister with all kinds of tropical flavors. For something a little more traditional, there’s George Washington’s Aged Eggnog, a house-made nog blended with cognac, Jim Beam rye, East India sherry, and Jamaican rum. When partaking with a pal, try the It’s a Bit Nipply Out, crafted with bourbon and Earl Grey tea, that can be made for one or two people. Multiple locations, betelgeusehou.com
Aya Sushi
Aya’s version of a hot toddy is the Whisky Matcha-wari, made with Japanese whiskey, matcha, kumquat, and lemon. It’s served in a teapot for two, so bring your boo. 5407 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire, ayasushi.com
Pier 6
For those who find themselves closer to the bay, San Leon has a waterfront restaurant that is always busy during the summer season. Locals, however, know that it’s just as nice to sit inside on a cold day and watch the boats go by while sipping on a peanut butter eggnog. The exclusive drink is offered only once a year, through Wednesday, December 31. Made with Screwball peanut butter whiskey, Disaronno amaretto, and Licor 43, it is a triple threat. 113 6th St., San Leon, pier6seafood.com
Good God Nadine’s
Good God Nadine’s has introduced a lineup of inspired cocktails for its inaugural holiday season, offered through Wednesday, December 31. Among the many offerings is Nadine’s Grasshopper, a creamy and decadent libation made with Galiano, white crème de cacao, and topped with chocolate shavings. 33 Waugh Dr, Houston, goodgodnadines.com
Kazzan Ramen
The volcano ramen at this Heights-area restaurant is best paired with something cold, and the Nog Tea List is just the thing. The drink is a unique combination of Thai tea, black spiced rum, cognac, eggnog liqueur, pasteurized eggs, and condensed milk. It’s topped with a rumchata foam and grated allspice, making it one of the most inspired eggnog creations around town. 191 Heights Blvd., Houston, kazzanramen.com
Succulent
Few things compare to the comfort of sipping hot buttered rum during the cold weather, and Succulent is serving up a tasty concoction this season. Festive Santa mugs are filled with hot buttered rum made with Koloa Kaua’i spiced rum, fragrant warm spices, Irish butter, and a peppermint garnish. 1180 Dunlavy St., Houston, succulentfinedining.com
