We can’t say we’re surprised — there’s nothing like a frozen margarita to beat the heat — but in case you’ve got different taste, we rounded up 37 Texas-based whiskeys, tequilas, vodkas, and more for your sipping pleasure.
Tequila
Dulce Vida Tequila | Multiple retailers + online | Choose from seven flavors (including extra añejo and pineapple jalapeño) of this tequila, which is the official tequila of Major League Pickleball and comes decorated by spirit competitions.
The McConaugheys work with fourth generation agave farmers in Amatitán, Jalisco, to create Pantalones Tequila.
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Photo courtesy Pantalones Organic Tequila
Pantalones Tequila Organico | Multiple retailers + online | Matthew and Camila McConaughey met over a margarita, so it just makes sense for the A-list couple to bring their own all-organic tequila brand (made with 100% Blue Weber agave) to the market.
Tequila 512 | Multiple retailers + online | This award-winning tequila is made using volcanic spring water, open-air fermentation, and 24-hour charcoal filtration before it’s bottled with the signature yellow label.
Deep Eddy Vodka | Tasting room: 2250 E. Hwy. 290, Dripping Springs | Multiple retailers + online | Named after Deep Eddy Pool, this vodka is distilled 10 times and comes in eight unique flavors.
Fierce Whiskers first began distilling in 2020.
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Photo courtesy Fierce Whiskers Distillery
Fierce Whiskers Distillery | Tasting room: 5333 Fleming Court | Multiple retailers + online | Whether you prefer rye or bourbon, this whiskey distillery prioritizes sustainability, sources local grains where possible, and is made completely in-house.
Still Austin Whiskey Co. | Tasting room: 440 E. St. Elmo Rd., Ste. F | Multiple retailers + online | Created by a father-son duo, this brand began distilling in 2017 and selling in 2020. Don’t be fooled by the name — Still Austin also sells a gin.
Desert Door Sotol | Tasting room: 211 Darden Hill Rd., Driftwood | Multiple retailers + online | Sotol, made from a plant of the same name, has an earthy taste similar to mezcal.
Java and Jokes | Thursday, July 25 | 4-6 p.m. | Sunset Strip Comedy & Entertainment, 214 E. 6th St., Unit C, Austin | Free | Drink a cup of joe and practice your jokes at this stand-up comedy night in the heart of Downtown Austin.
“Twisters” | Thursday, July 25 | 5 p.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave., Austin | $15 | Catch Austinite Glen Powell in a sequel to the 1996 film “Twister.”
Friday, July 26
The Austin Flea Pop-Up Market | Friday, July 26 | 6 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing Co., 3901 Promontory Point Dr., Austin | Cost of purchase | Shop art, jewelry, vintage items, textiles, and more from a variety of local vendors.
Olympics Opening Ceremony Watch Party | Friday, July 26 | 6-10 p.m. | Vacancy Brewing, 415 E. St. Elmo Rd., Austin | Cost of purchase | Watch athletes parade along the Seine River during the opening ceremony as you sip on drink specials.
Saturday, July 27
Hays County Honey Festival | Saturday, July 27 | 12-4 p.m. | Vista Brewing, 13551 FM 150 W., Driftwood | Free | Head out to the Hill Country to learn about all things honey, learn about beekeeping, and taste from several apiaries.
Janet Jackson | Saturday, July 27 | 8 p.m. | The Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $25-$1,650 | See the “Together Again” tour with special guest Nelly.
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Lake Travis could rise by more than five feet this week, thanks to recent rainy weather. The lake was 43% full on Tuesday and rose by one and a half feet in 24 hours. (KXAN)
Transit
CapMetro’s revitalized BikeShare program is now open at 29 stations across town, with more on the way. Rides start at $1.09 to unlock (or $11 for an unlimited 31-day pass) — view a map of nearby stations.
Development
South Korean company Wonik Materials Co. Ltd., a chemical supplier for Samsung, plans to build a $46 million campus in Manor. The company purchased a 24-acre plot on Old Kimbro Road earlier this year. (Austin Business Journal)
Closing
Modern Mexican restaurant Bacalar, which previously announced a temporary hiatus, is shutting down after executive chef and “Top Chef” winner Gabe Erales left the business. Casual taco restaurant Tómalo Taqueria will overtake the space and open in late August. (Eater Austin)
Cause
Need some puppy love? Austin Pets Alive!'s new Dog Day Out program allows Austinites to “borrow” a dog for an all-day field trip. Sign up to take a pup from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Tuesdays or Fridays.
State
It’s moving season — do you know where your new neighbors are moving from? Most of them come from other areas within Texas — according to a report from U-Haul — followed by California and Florida.
Drink Up
Grabbing a coffee or a post-work drink this week? Find a local drink deal and raise a glass to Drink Up Week, our annual celebration of our city’s buzzy beverage industry. Businesses around Austin are offering fun deals — see what’s poppin’.
Sports
Does Texas footballer Quinn Ewers belong on the “Mt. Rushmore” of college quarterbacks? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
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Food
🍴 Bob Armstrong Dip, anyone?
Matt’s El Rancho co-owner named Restaurateur of the Year
The classic Tex-Mex restaurant has been in its current location since 1986, but originally opened in 1952. | Photo by Wally Gobetz
Austin’s food scene is worth its salt.
The Texas Restaurant Awards recognized three Austin-area food industry favorites earlier this month.
The awards are put on by the Texas Restaurant Association, which represents the Lone Star State’s ~56,000 restaurants and $106.8-billion foodservice industry.
Here are the lauded locals:
Gloria Reyna, co-owner of Matt’s El Rancho | Restaurateur of the Year | Reyna’s leadership and entrepreneurial spirit led to this iconic Mexican restaurant serving 630,000+ meals in a year.
Nancy & Dan Garrison, founders of Garrison Brothers Distillery | Carmelo Mauro Spirit of Generosity Award | Awarded for outstanding philanthropy and ethics in the industry, this distillery was the first in Texas.
Dave & Lindsay Plante, owners of Blue Bonnet Cafe | Deep in the Heart Award | This beloved Marble Falls cafe was awarded for excellence outside of Texas’ major metros.
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