Top

dining

Stories

 

UNDER THE VOLCANO'S

STRAWBERRY BASIL MARGARITA

"Now those are some nice tits!" the customer to my right says, sounding like a pirate on Viagra. The rack he's complimenting belongs to our spunky barmaid, who laughs hysterically as she walks up to each customer, unbuttons her jean jacket and gives them a quick flash, nipples and all. It quickly becomes apparent that the staff at Under the Volcano (2349 Bissonnet, 713-526-5282) has a great collective sense of humor: Our bartender is wearing a pair of fake plastic novelty breasts, the kind you find at Mardi Gras or Joe Francis's house on a Tuesday night. Recalling both the pool party scene in Real Genius and a frat bar in Honolulu, the Volcano is best described as a tiki bar from hell. And as one might expect from a bar named after a novel about an alcoholic diplomat exiled in Mexico, the Volcano is a sight to behold. The decor is nothing short of fascinating: Ceramic crosses line the walls, bat skeletons sport papal tiaras, fanged tribal masks leer at patrons and a shrine surrounded by fake hula grass extols the virtues of the aforementioned novel. When the well-endowed barmaid makes her way over to me, I order a strawberry basil margarita, one of the bar's famous drinks. As she does her magic, she has to stand on her tiptoes to see over her own plastic cleavage.

1 ounce tequila 1 ounce triple sec 2 crushed sweet basil leaves, fresh 1 ounce sliced strawberries 1 teaspoon white sugar 1/2 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice 1 1/2 ounces simple syrup

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, and strain into martini glass. Garnish with strawberry or lime wedge. Can also be blended -- if you're a wuss.

 
 

Most Popular Stories

  • Mac and More
    This spot started out serving its namesake dish and nothing else. Expanding the menu was a good idea.
  • CFS and a Cigarette
    City Cafe, an old-school diner in South Houston, still turns out a stellar breakfast.
  • Meat Market
    You'll probably be paying more for your rib eyes and Whoppers thanks to the great Texas drought of 2011.
  • More Most Popular>>
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places

    Voice Places

    Discover restaurants, nightlife, travel, shopping...

  • VOICE Daily Deals

    VOICE Daily Deals

    Get 50 to 90% off every day on restaurants, movies, massages...

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    More than 10,000 of the BEST things to eat, drink, and experience

  • My Voice Nation

    My Voice Nation

    Join the Village Voice community and get exclusive deals and info

  • Happy Hour

    Happy Hour

    Your local Happy Hour guide at your fingertips

or

Log in or Sign up

Social Connect:

Use your favorite account to access My Voice Nation.


Use your My Voice Nation account to log in:





Forgot password?
or

Sign Up or Log in

Social Connect:

Sign up for My Voice Nation with your preferred network.


Sign up for a My Voice Nation account:



Privacy policy