Milkshakes are good, but boozy shakes are so much better. The traditional blend of milk, ice cream and syrups makes for an enjoyably sweet refreshment, but the extra splash of tequila, rum or beer just takes it to a new level.
When you're in the mood for an alcoholic drink, but are simultaneously craving something sweet, we suggest you hit up one of these ten Houston restaurants for an adult milkshake. Of course, if you've got youngsters in your family, most of these places can whip together a non-alcoholic version. So you both can get what you want.
Correction: Bernie's Burger Bus no longer offers hard liquor in its milkshakes. Guests can purchase craft beer or a regular milkshake.
1. Bernie's Burger Bus Now that Bernie's Burger Bus has its own brick-and-mortar, the menu has expanded and the restaurant has a full bar, which means you can get some pretty awesome milkshakes spiked with booze. Bernie's uses baked goods from Fluff Bake Bar, including those ever-popular Fluffernutters. Chef and owner Justin Turner collaborated with pastry chef Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar to create these milkshakes, which can all be enhanced with alcohol. Try the Fluffernutter Shake featuring Masson's peanut butter cookie with marshmallow spiked with Frangelico, or take a tropical route and sip on the Roasted Pineapple and Vanilla Bean shake featuring white chocolate and coconut puppychow with Cruzan Black Strap. The classic Chocolate Shake is upgraded with homemade fudge, Devil's food chocolate cake crumble and Dorda Double Chocolate Liqueur.
2. Fielding's Wood Grill This Woodlands restaurant offers a menu filled with perfect milkshake accompaniments, such as Angus beef burgers topped with everything from crispy bacon and provolone to fig ham and jalapenos with blue cheese. Add a side of Truffle and parmesan fries or deep-fried spuds topped with bison chili and Grafton cheddar cheese, then wash it all down with one of Fielding's sinfully sweet (and boozy) milkshakes. The "Shakes for Everyone" include adventurous flavors such as roasted peanuts with grey sea salt and house caramel sauce, and candied jalapenos with cocoa coulis and fresh mint. But, the "Shakes for Over 21" are all about the booze. The Tiramisu shake's Kahlua is enhanced by crushed Oreo cookies, while the Bourbon Caramel includes just a touch of toffee. There isn't an overwhelming amount of sweet flavors because let's face it, we want to taste the alcohol, not mask it completely.
3. Liberty Kitchen Unlike other restaurants featured on this list, Liberty Kitchen is not known for its burger and shake pairings; it's an oyster bar doling out sensational platters of oysters, fried seafood, deviled eggs and custard milkshakes. Although Liberty Kitchen does have some pretty stellar burgers and sandwiches. While the White Linen is not technically considered a milkshake, this creamy cocktail is just like a blended dessert. Look for it on the drinks menu rather than the food menu. Liberty Kitchen takes vanilla custard from Petite Sweets and mixes it with Liberty pineapple-infused vodka plus Amaretto Disaronno and Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur. It's a bit more boozy than its competitors, but it's still a frozen custard drink you need to try.
4. Del Frisco's Grille You can always get a juicy burger and crispy fries at Del Frisco's Grille, and you can also get an awesome spiked milkshake. The Adult Milkshake combines two liqueurs, Nocello Walnut and Creme de Cacao Chocolate, with vanilla ice cream. Topped with a cherry and dollop of whipped cream, it's a creamy, minty, chocolate and nutty shake you just have to pair with a burger and fries.
5. Little Bigs Go for the mini burgers, but stay for the two shakes, specifically The Dude. Fans of The Big Lebowski will enjoy this boozy shake featuring coffee liqueur. It's like a White Russian -- The Dude's favorite drink -- a cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur and cream. It's an ice-cold version, similar in texture to that of a frappuccino, and you will definitely taste the booze. If you still want something sweet, switch to the non-boozy white butterscotch milkshake.
6. Bowlero Take a trip to The Woodlands for bowling, giant burgers and boozy shakes. Not a bad combo, huh? Bowlero recently took over the AMF Woodlands Lanes on I-45 just outside of The Woodlands Mall. The swanky bowling alley is more of a place to eat and drink than to bowl, but you got to have something fun to do while you sip on a Salt & Caramel Push It Real Good milkshake spiked with Stoli Salted Karamel, or a Naughty By Berry shake with vanilla ice cream, raspberry syrup and Stoli Chocolate Razben. Make sure to pair any of these $8 XXX Milkshakes with something to eat, like the stuffed bacon cheese burger or Korean brisket tacos with pickled onions.
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7. Grub Burger Bar Burgers and shakes obviously go hand-in-hand, and the ones at Grub Burger Bar are off the chain. The spiked milkshakes range from $6.50 to $7 and during happy hours every day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. until 11 p.m., the adult milkshakes only cost $5. Keep it simple with the Bourbon & Caramel shake or Birthday Cakefetti with Cake Vodka and sprinkles. Opt for something a bit out of the box, like the Tipsy Worms & Dirt -- it's just like the handcrafted shake with crushed Oreo cookies topped with gummy worms, except it's got a little extra splash of chocolate vodka.
8. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema The fact that you can eat and drink at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is awesome, and the fact that they spike their milkshakes now is even more amazing. With so many tempting options from a Mexican Chocolate Shake with Resposado tequila, chocolate and cinnamon, to a classic Irish Coffee Shake featuring Bailey's Irish Cream, coffee and vanilla ice cream, it's tough to decide which boozy shake you want to try. You certainly can't go wrong with the simple (512) Pecan Porter beer shake blended with chocolate ice cream; it has a great balance of nutty beer and chocolate, making it easy to sip while munching on popcorn. All of the shakes come with a generous topping of thick whipped cream and a large straw, so be careful not to chug it too fast.
9. The Counter Despite The Counter being a chain burger restaurant, it's still a great place to sip on spiked milkshakes. Interestingly, The Counter doesn't infuse its creamy, sweet shakes with a liqueur or beer, instead the shakes are blended with wine. Fans of a light, sweet white wine or morning cocktail will prefer either the Mimosa Shake mixed with vanilla ice cream, orange juice and sparkling wine, or the Sweet Peach with vanilla ice cream, peach nectar and Riesling. The third shake combines vanilla ice cream with Pinot Noir, chocolate syrup and cherries, catering to the chocoholics and red wine fans.
10. Reef It's a little funny that Reef, a normal spot for business lunches and classy dinners, offers a boozy milkshake, but the Milkshake "No Minors" on the dessert menu is one you must try. It's a White Russian-flavored milkshake including brandy, Kahlua and super thick ice cream. Instead of just a straw and/or spoon, Reef serves its adult shake with a house-made chocolate cigar. We told you it wasn't for minors.
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