The infamous Texas Crawfish and Music Festival is scheduled to take place in Spring this Saturday. What goes better with crawfish than an ice cold beer? Now the tricky question is exactly what beer goes best with crawfish on a hot and muggy Saturday afternoon? After much research at Sam's Boat every Monday night for several months, Houstonist has found the answer. Blue Moon with a slice of orange to garnish. Yup - this......

The last time Houstonist offered up a drink recipe, we were hailing the coming of a new and warmer season. If you're like many longtime Houstonians, you've been enjoying this recent mild weather and spending as much time in the great outdoors as possible before the dreaded heat and humidity that is Summer comes rearing its ugly head around the corner. Alas, all good things must come to an end, but not like you......

Last week marked the start of the Spring season. It's time to put away the winter coats, boots, gloves, and scarves. Wait, we're in Houston, right? So, it's actually time to put away the long sleeved shirts, jeans, and to shave away that stubble from your face (or legs as the case may be) that kept you warm on those lonely brisk 60 degree evenings. Break out the cargo shorts, polo shirts, sun dresses,......

Tomorrow is Saint Patrick's Day! To help you celebrate, we bring back a classic drink for everyone to enjoy this weekend. Whether you'll be huddled by a TV watching college basketball or celebrating with the masses in Rice Village, make sure you're throwing down Irish Car Bombs to celebrate Saint Patrick and all of his accomplishments (whatever they may be). Irish Car Bomb+ 1/2 pint Guinness stout + 1 oz. Jameson Irish Whiskey +......

As a public service announcement, don't forget that tomorrow night marks the beginning of Daylight Saving Time. At 2:00am on Sunday morning (late Saturday night for us party-going types), we will all be forced to set our clocks ahead by one full hour. As a result, we'll have one more hour of sunlight in the evening and one less hour in the morning. You know what this means? No more early cracks of dawn......

Photos from our 2008 Light Rail Pub Crawl...

Happy Leap Day! For those that have always wondered, but never cared to ask about the purpose of leap day, please allow us to expound. Now we don't know about you, but we think that this man-made phenomenon is an occasion to drink! While out sipping away the twilight hours at a bar last night, we obtained a recipe for a "Leap Year" drink from a lovely young lady. When we asked why the......

It's the most wonderful time of the year Sure, when Andy Williams first uttered those words he may have been praising the birth of Jesus Christ. But for us, that same expression can be applied to Girl Scout cookie season! And wouldn't you know it, just this week five boxes of Thin Mints (amongst other variations) were delivered to our front door. After feverishly consuming the first box in a single sitting, we implemented......

So maybe you're like us and lacking in companionship on Valentine's Day. Maybe you're like us and just a wee bit distressed about the prospect of having no one to share chocolate-covered strawberries with this evening? Maybe you're even like us and plan to go out with your friends tonight to drown your sorrows in a river of Apple Martinis? But why be the clichéd lonely person sitting at the end of the bar......

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.......

Wassail, both a noun and a verb, manages to come up in at least one conversation (or carol) each December holiday season. And yet, what the heck is it? The drink is from medieval northern Europe and used to resemble something like mulled beer. It's now more like mulled cider, wine or dry sherry. The word means "Be thou hale!" and was used as a non-Christian greeting or goodbye. Houstonist wonders if Shalom or Aloha......

Houstonist doesn't need an excuse for a party, but last night we had one: our second birthday. We got together with our readers and friends at Monsoon Wok downtown for a few drinks, a bit to nibble on and some amazing cake from The Acadian Bakers. Thanks to everyone who helped put the party together, and especially to everyone who showed up. By the way, we noticed a few of you taking photos. If......

Houstonist got worn out on early morning White Russians and late night Bloody Marys during the Thanksgiving break. Thus, we were looking for something light and zesty when a fellow sauce fiend suggest we opt for a Slutty Shirley. The Slutty Shirley is a twist on the traditional children's cocktail, the Shirley Temple. You may remember Shirley Temple as a tap dancing little girl from black-and-white movies. The little lady inspired a fizzy red......

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.......

By now, it should come as no surprise that Houstonist is lazy always on the look out for an easy way to get things done. Anyone want to write this column for us? At any rate, you probably won't find it hard to believe that we have not tested the following booze recipe. But, we thought it best to bring concoction to the attention of those of you who have more patience when it......

By now you should have polished off at least one batch of diablos and whipped up another couple for tonight's Day of the Dead party. Need to quench your booze building thirst? Houstonist is enjoying a nice draught of Scotch right now.I love Scotch. Scotchy Scotch Scotch. It goes down. Down into my belly.Ron BurgundyRaise your hand if you know what Scotch is? O.K. You're nerds. You probably need to take Step 1. For the......

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......

Get your Halloween partay kicked of a little early tonight at the Houston Museum of Natural Science at "Spirits & Skeletons", the spooky special edition of the Mixers series. See and get yourself seen tonight, beginning at 8:00 p.m. where the night kicks off with Danse Orientale Belly Dancers, questions answered by Fatima and her band of merry Psychics (Miss Cleo? Nah, she's busy with her hotline - Fatima has it all going on, anyway......

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......

Yar! Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Houstonians, grab some rum and behave badly - don't forget your eyepatch and your parrot! OH, and the hat - we love us some hats! Don that puffy shirt and swill some grog, or rum - or hijacked wine (from your friends houses - we don't condone thievery, unless it's among friends and well co-workers)! We have been singing along to the "Pirates of the......

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......

Houstonist was on the phone with Mom during the holiday weekend talking about our holiday weekend. At some point during the chat, she blurted out, "Have you ever heard of 'Shoot the Root'?" "Uh, nope." We can't recall the exact quotes that followed, but basically it amounted to her being happy and amazed that she had heard of drink that we hadn't. Judging by the responses of our friends and our results from searching the......

It's time for another Photo of the Day Special Edition. Today we have photos and a video from our Happy Birthday Houston Pub Crawl that was held Friday, August 31. We had a great time downtown. We stopped at The State Bar, Cabo, Shay McElroys and Warren's. We got to meet and mingle with our readers as well as grab a bite to eat and put back a few. This event was a blast, but......

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 +......

The smoking ban goes into effect on Saturday morning at midnight. Ring in the new era with Houstonist as we get together on Friday night to celebrate Houston's birthday, which is actually today. We're cranking up things at State Bar at 6 on the o'clock and want you to be there. You'll probably hear a lot from our opinionated staff about booze, politics, 600 sq mi (our photo show), live music, bar food and......

Houstonist hits Italy's Rimini Beach every Pasqua (that's Easter for y'all that don't habla) for fun in the sun, dynamite food and to make-uh the party. And while you can make-uh the party without booze, we like-uh our booze. One of our favorite Italian libations is limoncello. Limoncello is a great aperitif or digestif that is made from grain alcohol, lemon zest and sugar. The drink is sweet and sour, but not like Chinese food.......