Margarita News

Taco Cabana expands its margarita selection to 12 flavors year-round

No more limited edition, this is the real thing.

Taco Cabana

San Antonio Tex-Mex chain Taco Cabana is giving the people what they want: all the margarita flavors, served year-round.

According to a release, the company is calling dibs on the title of Margarita Headquarters by featuring 12 permanent margarita flavors on the menu, each available for $3, all day.

Available flavors will include their classic flavors of Lime, Strawberry, Mango, Strawberry Mango, and Mangonada, plus five flavors featured as previous limited-edition offerings and two brand new flavors:

Blue Curacao *returning
Watermelon *returning
Dragonfruit *returning
Blood Orange *returning
Green Apple *returning
Coconut *NEW
Pineapple *NEW

The decision comes after three launches of the company's popular, limited-edition "MargaritaPalooza," in the past two years, which CultureMap has studiously documented, with the kind of diligence that news about margaritas deserves.

Taco Cabana first debuted the limited-time promotion in July 2020. The "talker" back then was the quirky Dr Pepper flavor. According to Restaurant Business, the promotion brought in "record sales of margaritas," making it a positive story during the darkest days of the pandemic when positive stories were few and far between.

Not content to let well enough alone, they retired six of the original dozen flavors in August 2020, to make room for the six new flavors coming in. That was ultimately a good thing since three of the new flavors were deliciously authentic: pineapple chamoy, spicy guava, and the best one, tamarind.

They returned in April 2021 with a third round, this time featuring ultra-creative flavors such as Pickle, Violet, and Pistachio.

Taco Cabana Chief Operating Officer Ulyses Camacho says in a statement that Margaritapalooza was a "game changer" for the company.

"There was so much fun and excitement for both guests and team members when we previously executed it across the TC system," Camacho says. "We pride ourselves on listening to what our guests want, and they have consistently asked us for on-going, everyday margarita innovation and variety, not just during certain times of the year. We are now thrilled to establish ourselves as the ‘Margarita Headquarters’ with so many margarita flavors for our guests to choose from each and every day."

Flavor No. 13
In addition to the 12 margarita flavors, a rotating 13th flavor will also be seasonally available for $4. Previous seasonal margarita offerings have included flavors like Pickle, Pumpkin Spice, and Cherry.

New or returning seasonal margaritas will be announced on an ongoing basis. Maybe tamarind, Taco Cabana? How about tamarind?

Margarita Headquarters launches first in San Antonio on Wednesday, July 20, and then at locations across Texas on Wednesday, August 3.

Also, discounts
They'll also be offering a summertime happy hour, Sunday-Thursday 4-7 pm, with $2 Lime or Strawberry Margaritas, $2 domestic beer, half-price bean & cheese nachos, $1.50 bean & cheese chalupa, and $1 bean & cheese taco. That'll start in San Antonio, and eventually make its way across Texas, as well.

And they're bringing back their beloved salsa bar, with Roja, Fuego, Salsa Ranch, Taco Cabana’s new salsa Verde, Pico de Gallo, and pickled jalapeños, which were shut down during the pandemic.

Taco Cabana was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, tacos, freshly-made flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Taco Cabana operates 142 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

cocktails

a family friendly destination

Family-owned whiskey distillery opening in the Texas Hill Country

Photo by Hayden Walker

Briggs Distilling Co. will open its doors on October 17.

A new family-owned distillery is joining the vast landscape of breweries, wineries, and other spirit-makers in the Texas Hill Country. Briggs Distilling Co. will start serving cocktails, mocktails, and more at its spacious facility at 121 Brownson Ln. in Driftwood on Saturday, October 17.

The 9,000-square-foot distillery is owned and operated by the Briggs family. It was founded by R.S. Briggs with longtime family friend Davis Tucker serving as its president. Master distiller Colton Weinstein is in charge of production and distilling operations.

The distillery has developed three expressions for whiskey drinkers to try neat or in a cocktail. Each is made with Texas rainwater and bottled on-site. From a press release, look out for the following flavor profiles:

Straight Rye Whiskey: spice and bright herbs with lingering sherry notes to finish
Heritage Reserve Bourbon: caramel, candy, and leather notes with hints of spice and cherry and a medium finish
Wheated Bourbon: described as "sweet and fruity, with tobacco notes that coat the mouth and a medium-short finish"

Briggs Distilling Co. whiskey and bourbon products Patrons can buy a bottle of Briggs whiskey or bourbon on-site to take home. Photo by Hayden Walker

The spirits will be available to try in individual tastings ($10 each) and flights ($15), as well as draft, frozen, and house cocktails priced from $10-$14 each.

Briggs Distilling will also serve mocktails, a frozen Texas Two-Step (lime, orange, and house cane syrup with a choice of strawberry, mango, coconut, or passion fruit), and other non-alcoholic options like soda, ginger beer, and coffee from neighboring Driftwood café Sonder Coffee Lounge.

Beyond the whiskey-making operations and the tasting room, the property will feature a treehouse-inspired children's area, family- and dog-friendly amenities, and an on-site food truck. Live music from local musicians will also be a regular occurrence on Fridays and Saturdays.

Above all, the Hill Country distillery is envisioned as a "community gathering place" that aims to make all visitors feel at home.

"For generations, this part of Texas has brought people together around good food and conversation under wide-open skies," R.S. Briggs said in the release. "We wanted Briggs Distilling to carry that spirit forward while adding one crucial component: good whiskey."

Briggs Distilling Co. interior The distillery was designed by Texas-based M. Elliott Studio with contemporary furniture that visitors can rearrange as they see fit for their gatherings.Photo by Hayden Walker

Briggs Distilling will host community events throughout the year, engage in sustainability initiatives such as recycling bottles through local businesses, and pursue additional giveback opportunities to demonstrate a commitment to the Hill Country area.

Bailey Briggs, R.S.'s daughter and vice president of marketing, said the land the distillery stands on has been in their family for generations, and their "family-first philosophy" is the heart of their business.

"Briggs Distilling was born from family and built for families," Bailey said in a release. "For more than twenty years, our family has called the Texas Hill Country home, spending holidays, birthdays, and long summer days on the river together. Those memories shaped our lives and inspired us to create a place where other families could make their own."

Following the grand opening on October 17, Briggs Distilling Co. will be open from 4-10 pm Wednesdays through Thursdays, 11 am-10 pm Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 am-7 pm Sundays. Happy hour will run from 3-6 pm Wednesdays through Fridays. Kid-friendly specials will also be offered on Sundays.

Photo by Hayden Walker

Briggs Distilling Co. will open its doors on October 17.

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