Where to Drink
Where to drink in Dallas right now: 6 best bars for fall cocktails
What a glorious day it was more than a decade ago when Dallas bartenders started raiding the kitchen for their drinks. Cocktails have never been better, more creative — and in this case, seasonal. Just as Dallas restaurants roll out seasonal menus, so do Dallas bars, introducing drinks that call on the flavors and ingredients of the season.
These 6 establishments have all introduced special, limited-edition cocktail drinks that are perfect for fall sipping and holiday toasting.
Here's where to drink in Dallas right now:
Cool River Cafe
Las Colinas hangout rings in the holidays with three contemporary takes on classic cocktails, available through December 31. Figgy Sidecar has Remy Martin VSOP Cognac, fresh sour mix, Grand Marnier, cinnamon, and fresh fig. Doctor’s Orders combines Russell’s Reserve Bourbon, lemon juice, Monin honey syrup, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, and orange bitters. Pumpkin spiced delight is made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, pumpkin ginger syrup, lime juice, and club soda. $9-$12. 972-871-8881.
Dragonfly
Restaurant at Hotel ZaZa Dallas has a new "Fall Flavors" menu of cocktails that give patrons plenty of reasons to raise a glass during the holidays. They include the "Smooth Talker," with Suntory Toki Japanese Whisky with maple syrup, walnut bitters, and a Luxardo cherry. Pumpkin spices latte martini has Grey Goose Vanilla, Bailey's Pumpkin Spice, Patron XO Cafe, and horchata. Vanilla cranberry gin spritz has Hendrick’s Gin, orange bitters, bourbon vanilla syrup, OJ, cranberries, and Topo Chico. 214-550-9500.
Eureka
Uptown Dallas hotspot has a line of new craft concoctions by beverage director Trevor Tyler that come with a little something extra. The tiki-inspired "Atta Boy" bourbon cocktail has cold-brew coffee, pineapple, cinnamon, lemon, and mint. For guests in the mood for a bubbly pick me up, The Healer has vodka, Trilogy kombucha, Grand Poppy Amaro, and yuzu. A refreshing non-alcoholic option is lavender iced tea, made from scratch with rosemary syrup, lavender, butterfly pea tea, mint, earl grey tea, and lemon juice. 972-993-2222.
Jettison
Sylvan Thirty lounge has cocktails for fall that get into some innovative flavors. "Nice to Mead You Honey" has mead, lemon, sparkling wine, hibiscus rooibos syrup, and Amaro. Rye & Rose has rye whiskey, with lemon, Grenadine, hopped apple cider, and cinnamon. Concrete Jungle combines Balcones rye with Benedictine, orgeat, lemon, black sesame, egg whites, and toasted sesame. Fog Cutter is a tiki spin with rum, gin, pisco, lemon, orange, orgeat, and an Amontillado sherry float. Earth, Wind & Fire is wild, with potato shochu, green Chartreuse, mezcal, and yuzu bitters. Sleepy Coyote is luscious wih coffee-infused Oaxacan rum, Ancho Reyes, horchata, and nutmeg. 214-238-2643.
Paul Martin's
Clubby restaurant bar digs into history with its new line of classic cocktails that go back in time. "Ward 8" has its roots in 19th century Boston with Templeton Rye Whiskey, Monin Grenadine, lemon juice, and Peychaud's Bitters. The "Gold Rush" summons 2000s-era New York City with Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Giffard Crème de Pamplemousse Rose Liqueur, honey, lemon juice, and mint. "El Diablo" goes Cali-style circa 1946 with Patron Silver Tequila, Bols Crème de Cassis, Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur, lime juice, and Q Club Soda. "Hemingway Daiquiri" takes you to 1921 Cuba with Bacardi Superior Rum, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, grapefruit juice, and lime juice. 214-521-0116.
III Forks
Steakhouse is offering "Sommelier Selections," wines by the glass that you rarely find in a by-the-glass option. They're cast with the festive, toast-making holiday season in mind. There's Veuve Clicquot Brut for $40, Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon for $58, Duckhorn Napa Merlot for $20, and Justin Isosceles Red for $30. Available through December 31. 972-267-1776.