Bottoms Up

Specialty cocktails are becoming more popular, but they are also getting more creative with names that will immediately win you over. Getting to try these new concoctions is always fun, though I can't say I have never tried a bad one. Here are the four I got to try during my stay in Austin.

Driskill Bar

The historic Driskill hotel in Austin has been around for a long time and is a place where guests may encounter ghosts. Though I didn't meet one of their in house ghosts, I did get a chance to visit their bar to try some of their house specialties. Claiming to have the 'official' drink of Austin, the batini is a modern day twist on the martini. Since Austin is known for the bats under the Congress Street Bridge, I decided it was only appropriate to give it a try. This treat was topped with a summer blackberry and was ripe with the sweetness of the fruit, making it very easy to drink. The Texas Orange Blossom, pictured on the right, was another summery drink that mimicked the flavors of an orange creamsicle. Made with locally made Tito's vodka, this was something I wish I could make at home.

La Condesa

One of my new favorite Mexican restaurants, La Condesa didn't disappoint in the drink department. The yellow colored one was a passion fruit and spiced mango margarita. This was not your typical margarita because it was not overwhelmingly sweet. The cayenne and salt rim provided a tiny bit of heat that paired well with the natural sweetness of the fruit. The pink one is a watermelon-elderflower martini. I had never really heard of the elderflower before, but it was pretty delicious in this drink. The fresh watermelon flavor added sweetness and made it the perfect summer drink. Though I was a bit confused as to why the martini was a bit foamy, it was thoroughly enjoyable. Let me know if you know what makes it foamy!

If you had a chance to try any of these let me know what you thought. Feel free to leave suggestions of your favorite drinks or places to visit next time I am in Austin.