It's an American tradition, just like representative democracy and childhood obesity: the Super Bowl. Even people who aren't football fans usually find a way to watch the game (or the commercials, depending on your priorities) and the die-hards view Sunday as some combination of Christmas, graduation, and the non-lame parts of the Olympics all rolled into one. If you don't have plans for the big game already, here are a few options around town: -......

Houstonist is heading to Big Bend National Park this weekend to participate in our annual camping extravaganza called HookerFest (not those kinda hookers) by the participants and "the annual freeze your ass off trip" by non-believers. Never one to show up to a party without a contribution, we have been putting on our creativity caps for new and exciting libations each year. This year, we decided that it was time to "live off of the......

Christmas shopping at The Galleria, incessant caroling and a just a touch of holiday-induced agoraphobia have Houstonist feeling a bit out of sorts today. Our feathers and lackadoogles are more than slightly ruffled. Unfortunately, we can do nothing buscept press on with our holiday chores and hole up inside the HQ once said tasks are complete. That's when we're planning to throw back a cocktail or six like a Ruffled Rooster. Ruffled Rooster+ 4 oz.......

Houstonist was feeling saucy this afternoon so we ordered a round of the Mint Juleps. We were quite pissed off and surprised when the server presented us with a round of Gin Juleps instead. "WTF? WE ORDERED KENTUCKY DERBY SPECIALS!" Did the CAPS get to your feel our rage? NO? ARE YOU SURE? We protested. We threatened to send the drinks back. We tried the drinks. We loved 'em. Gin Julep+ 1 1/4 oz.......

OK. Here's the situation: The Day of the Dead celebration starts next Thursday; you're having a party; and, you'd like to serve something other than margaritas. No problemo, gringo. Here are two staff favorites from Houstonist to help get you over the hump. Mix up a test batch of these this week so that you don't gross out your guests when your party rep is on the line. You can always default to body shots......

Halloween is right around the corner, and Houstonist is researching costume ideas for our annual post. That's when we ran across this photo and were inspired to order up a Scary Dirty Girl Scout at the pub. Dirty Girl Scout+ 1 oz Creme de Menthe + 1 oz Vodka + 1 oz Kahlua + 1 oz Bailey's irish cream Pour everything into a tumbler filled with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail......

There comes a time in everyone's life when only a shot will get the job done. Pigged out on Italian food? A shot of grappa will burn on the way down, but it's a digestivo that will help settle down your chicken picatta. Called off your wedding? 17 shots of tequila will make the that pain go away and may net you a Latino name. Worry about the hangover in the morning. Houstonist thought it......

Houstonist is always trying to up our level of sophistication. Thus, last week we were watching the Fine Living Channel's Great Cocktails series to get some ideas for sophisticated sipping material. The Corpse Reviver was one drink featured on the episode we caught. Per the show, the drink was named due to its ability to invigorate even the most hungover imbiber. Huh. Sounds like something you and we could use. Hit Spec's on your way......

Houstonist was introduced to a unique cocktail a few years ago on a Roman pub crawl (yeah, in Italia) put on by a group of ex-pat Americans. After a few stops we'd grown tired of Moretti, Campari and rum-and-cokes that tasted like unleaded-and-cokes. Then, a scene similar to the following unfolded INTERIOR - ROCK CASTLE A dimly lit barroom interior featuring ancient masonry work with various weapons of the bashing and bladed variety hanging......

The sixth anniversary of 9/11 made this an emotional week for Gothamist, DCist, Phillyist and the rest of America, too. Houstonist reflected on Tuesday as well. But, our preferred method of remembering the departed is to raise a glass and say a few words in their honor. A Manhattan is the perfect cocktail for this occasion. Manhattan+ 2 oz. Rye + 1/2 oz. vermouth + Dash Angostura bitters + Cherry + Orange peel Pour......

Say ole this weekend with a Bloody Bull. Some folks say that a Bloody Bull is a Bloody Mary made with beer instead of vodka. Wrong. The Bull is a slight twist on the Mary with one key addition - beef boullion. Mmmm. Beef juice. Bloody Bull+ 2 oz vodka + 3 oz spicy tomato juice + 2 oz beef boullion + black pepper + celery salt + garlic powder + lime wedges +......

Houstonist has been a fan of martinis since Dad taught us how to make them at age 12 so that he wouldn't have to. We have always believed that a martini should consist of only the gin or vodka variety and that the label should not be applied to fru fru cocktails served in martini glasses. Whatever your stance on what constitutes a martini, you need to try the cocktail below because it is......

Cocktailing strategies are very dependent on the occasion, one's state of mind and one's objective. "I need a sixer for the game dogs at Mike's bar-b-que." "We need to pick up a case of wine for when your parents come to dinner." "I need to get drunk in a hurry." We've all been there. Combine those goals with today's "Me Generation" desire to focus on looking good, and you've got yourself a puzzle. "How......

"Summertime and the livins easy" until you mow the lawn and sweat your ass off in the process. Why not relax and let the kid down the street mow your yard? They could use the money to pay for their iPhone service plan and you could use the break. Wouldn't it be satisfying to sit in the shade sippin' a cold beverage while s/he sweats to death? All you need is the perfect drink.......

Houstonist likes to booze - did it last night. Who knew that Vodka & Soda was so great in a gross way? A few V&S later and we were embroiled with our peers in a heated discussion about what constitutes the best cocktail ever. We nailed it with HS Party Punch, but defending it and drinking it makes our head hurt. Given that Lazy Bastard Friday is here again today (last Friday in every......

Houstonist left work yesterday feeling a bit like James Bond, the spy not the ornithologist. Not suave and debonair, but rather like we'd just been worked over by a maniacal, blood weeping villain yielding a massive rope with which he was massaging our gentle parts. Like Bond, we sought refuge in the comfort of a martini. Like a true pre-Google dork, we watched the Casino Royale scene in which he rattles off the following......

Houstonist has been aggressively eating our way through crawfish season and have no plans to stop until the season ends. Beer is the beverage of choice (Turbodog) for the feeding sessions at the crawfish table, but we prefer to display our sophistication during the post-berle cocktail hour(s). Your mind may jump to a hurricane or hand grenade, but they are as sophisticated as a monster truck show. We prefer the Sazerac, America's first cocktail. The......

We know what you're thinking. You've looked at the accompanying photo and have already written off this post as crap. You're wrong. Liquor stores close at 9 PM. You probably haven't given that much thought except for the occassions when you desparately needed another bottle of Hypnotiq, Jaegermeister or some other item only available at a booze shop. We know the feeling. Try hosting a kegger without a functioning tap only to arrive in......

Houstonist headquarters is powered by caffeine, oompa loompas & Matlock reruns. Old Ben has inspired us to investigate options for Thursday evening fun. Let's review the case facts: + We like you. + We love beer. + Kay's has lots of cold beer One guess as to where we'll be. Why not join us and make it a pawty? Happy hour specials will be in effect, but even at full price, Kay's is still......

Dude, it's like 4/20. Know what that means? Yep, tomorrow is Tiradentes Day, a Brazilian national holiday commemorating the execution of Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, a tiradentes (tooth puller) and revolutionary against the Portugese. What better way to celebrate than to pour some out get drunk in remembrance of Xavier? What better cocktail than the Brazilian staple - caipirinha? The caipirinha is similiar to a mojito in that they are both concocted using limes......

Houstonist had to dust off a crusty filing cabinet in the back of our noggin to dig out this recipe - the latest from the "Drinks Mixed in a Five Gallon Bucket" category. The title of the drink is not ready for prime time, so we've opted for Donkey Sucker Punch which is how you'll feel the morning after should you forget to pace yourself. The concoction is best served extremely cold and can be......

Tired of ritas? Opt for something a bit different at your next patio happy hour. Order up a michelada. The michelada has been called a bloody mary made with beer in lieu of vodka. We guess that's true, but we've never seen pickled okra floating in a miche before. Recipes vary across the Southwest. Some include soy sauce and Worchestershire, more closely mirroring the bloody mary. Use the offering below as framework for inventing your......

High humidity is right around the corner. One can either complain about it or embrace it. We choose the latter, particularly since the air gets so thick you can actually hug it. However instead of looking like fools stumbling around Memorial Park grabbing at the air, we embrace the humidity by pretending we're some place tropical and hosting a tropical party. Good theme parties have signature drinks. We wanted something tasty and simple that was......

There's no velvet rope to hurdle or doorman to bribe to gain entry, but you may need to wait three-deep at the bar because this Houston institution appeals to folks from all walks of life who have booze on the brain. Corporate cube pilots stop in to take off the edge after work. Actors and stage folk from nearby theatres are known to unwind here after a performance. Houstonist even saw two country-strong gentlemen......