It's flipping hot out, so we've been spending the past few weeks seeking out the city's best (and coldest) drinks. We're talking frozen cocktails. While there are a couple of margaritas on this list, for the most part Houston is a city that's running wild with the types of cocktails that can be enhanced by a daiquiri machine or blender.
These should be at the top of your bucket list this summer. These are our personal favorites of the moment, tried and tested. And no, you won't find frosé on the list, because it's time to stop ruining rosé.
click to enlarge Agu Ramen's Bellini Bliss beats the heat
Photo courtesy of Agu Ramen
Honorable Mentions: Bellini Bliss at Agu Ramen, various locations
What's better than a bellini? A frozen one, duh. This mind-numbing concoction combines peach puree and strawberry vodka along with a scoop of peach sorbet and a Prosecco topper.
Honorable Mention: Pop-tails at Hotel Sorella CityCentre
Summertime poptails, which have flavors that change as a popsicle melts into your drink, include the Cosmologic, made with citrus vodka, lime juice, triple sec and cranberry juice garnished with a cran-orange popsicle, which you can enjoy pool side at this swanky spot in Memorial City.
10. Frozen Gin & Juice at Axelrad
Arguably the city's best spot for chilling in the backyard, Axelrad is mostly known for its incredible selection of beers on tap, but the bar does offer a rotating list of frozen drinks, which as of late has meant everything from Gin & Juice to the boozy Arnold Palmer (i.e., the John Daly).
click to enlarge Not for the faint of heart
Photo by Gwendolyn Knapp
9. Tequila Mangonada at Grand Prize Bar
The pool table has seen better days and the clientele is barely legal, but this Museum District/Montrose-area dive's frozen mangonada with a heavy helping of tequila is quite a doozy. Chunks of mango and a tamarind-covered straw bring out the finer points in this frozen cocktail, a real tooth rotter that would probably help you play the Elvis pinball machine better if those meddling youths weren't all leaning up against it sucking face.
8. Strawberry Daiquiri at Gloria's Latin Cuisine
Houston Press contributor Cuc Lam calls this "the perfect summer adult beverage." Why? A perfect ratio of fresh strawberry to boozy rum daiquiri.
The Frozen Paloma at Tacos A Go Go
Photo courtesy of Tacos A Go Go
7. Frozen Paloma at Tacos A Go Go Garden Oaks
So you have the kids in tow and need to get some grub. Tacos A Go Go on T.C. Jester is a great spot with family-pleasing queso and tacos — little ones seem taken by the chicken and steak options — and really refreshing frozen Palomas. The only problem? Those meddling kids will probably be all
hey, why can't I have a frozen drink too?
click to enlarge A frozen Negroni at Osso & Kristalla.
Photo courtesy of Osso & Kristalla
6. Frozen Limoncello at Osso & Kristalla
This downtown trattoria from Houston Astros owner Jim Crane is a great spot to eat at the bar during a summer with a frozen limoncello, its usual offering that's basically just akin to frozen lemonade, though the frozen Negroni does make an occasional appearance as well. The menu of pizzas, pastas, great salads and even breakfast eats makes for
great snacking whatever the time of day. Plus, there are ample televisions to catch the Astros or whatever games are on that day.