With warm, sunny weather in full effect, many Houstonians are on the hunt for the frostiest and tastiest adult beverages to quench their thirst and beat the heat. Beyond the countless Mexican and Tex-Mex establishments slinging frozen margaritas, there are an abundance of restaurants and bars serving up slushy refreshers of all kinds.
Whether it’s a tropical colada or a frozen twist on a classic cocktail, here is a list of fun places to indulge in delicious frozen drinks this summer… and basically, year-round.
Eight Row Flint
This Heights ice house from Agricole Hospitality is well regarded for its extensive list of spirits, but many regulars flock in for the frozens. Beyond a traditional frozen margarita ($13), Eight Row Flint has a frozen gin and tonic ($13), with grapefruit and mint; a key lime colada ($13) made with rum, coconut, lime, and condensed milk; and white peach sangria ($13). Go for a flight ($18), and pick a sampling of three of the four. Stay to eat — Eight Row Flint has a small, but mighty menu with tacos ($6), wings ($14), street corn hushpuppies ($10), and a cheeseburger ($9). 1039 Yale St., Houston, agricolehospitality.com/eight-row-flint/
Winnie’s
Conveniently located on the rail at Mid Main, Winnie’s is the perfect place to hang before heading to a show at the Continental Club or roaming the nearby shops for vintage vinyl. While its food menu gets lots of attention, the cocktail program, which includes $12 frozens, also shines. Beyond a traditional frozen margarita, guests can opt for the frozen peach bourbon iced tea; a strawberry daiquiri, made with Winnie’s house rum blended with strawberry and lime cordial; or the frozen Saturn, a gin-based slush of passion fruit, almond orgeat, falernum, and lemon. 3622 Main St., Houston, winnie’shouston.com
Loro Asian Smokehouse
Chef Tyson Cole and pitmaster Aaron Franklin are the brains behind this Tex-Asian restaurant from Austin that now boasts two locations in Houston. Try dishes like smoked shisito queso and char siew pork belly with one of Loro’s boozy slushies in flavors like mango sake ($10), margarita ($11), and Vietnamese coffee ($10).The frozen gin and tonic ($10) is a go-to for many, but don’t miss the killer colada ($11), a creamy rum-fueled concoction that doubles as a dessert. To get the most bang for your buck, try a slushee flight, which features three flavors for $14, or visit during the weekday happy hour from 2 to 6 p.m. when slushees are on special for $5. Multiple locations, loroeats.com
EZ’s Liquor Lounge
Another bar concept from Agricole Hospitality, EZ’s Liquor Lounge was named one of “The Best Bars in America” in 2023 by Esquire magazine. Though there are only two frozens on the menu, both are worth making the drive to this retro hangout. The Famous EZ margarita ($10) is made with Pueblo Viejo blanco tequila, while the Slurrrrricane ($13) is a refreshing blend of rum, Amontillado sherry. lemon, lime, fassionola syrup, and Angostura bitters. Order a chili pie ($13) or a meatloaf sammich ($13) for nourishment. 3302 White Oak Dr., Houston, agricolehospitality.com/ezs-liquor-lounge
The Burger Joint
Known for its specialty burgers and all-beef hot dogs, this restaurant and patio bar has a couple of boozy milkshakes on the menu. The 8th Wonder Rocket Fuel Shake ($9) is made with the brewery’s Vietnamese coffee-style porter; while the Not Your Father’s Root Beer ($9) is a boozy alternative to the classic soda pop. Non-alcoholic shakes are aplenty, in flavors like peanut butter, Vietnamese coffee, and salted caramel. Multiple locations, burgerjointhtx.com
Verde Garden
This Tex-Mex restaurant in the Harlow District features one of the prettiest flower-filled patios in Houston, complete with a fountain, wrought iron tables, and bright yellow porch swings adding to its charm. The inside is just as attractive, with pastoral murals and Chesterfield sofas in leather and velvet. Find a dozen slushy drinks on the cocktail menu, including the Verde margarita ($16), crafted with your choice of tequila or mezcal and blended with agave, dry Curacao, lime, and a hint of mint and parsley, giving it an herbal essence. The Serpent ($15) is a spicy alternative, made with grapefruit, chile de arbol, lime, and bitters. Other frozens include the vodka-fueled Tulum Vibes ($16), with cacao, lemon, passionfruit, and habanero; and For the Birds ($15), a rum-based tropical drink with pineapple, lime, bitters, and Coco Lopez that gives beach vacay vibes. 2817 Dallas St., Houston, verdegardenhtx.com
Under the Volcano
This Rice Village stalwart with a casual Mexican cantina atmosphere has friendly bartenders and two frozen drinks that have been around almost as long as the bar itself. The frozen screwdriver is simply a blend of orange juice and vodka, but at $9, it won’t break the bank; while the frozen Cuba Libre tastes like a boozy version of a Coke Icee. Don’t leave without trying the queso. 2349 Bissonnet St., Houston, underthevolcanohouston.com
PKL Social
Pickleball is having a moment in Houston, with PKL Social among the many new places to explore. Guests can reserve a court for playing, or sit idly by drinking a cold beverage while watching others work up a sweat. If the latter is more your speed, there are four frozens to consider: margarita, mango chamoy, frose, and the PKL Paloma. They’re tasty, and at $12 each, they are easy on the pocketbook, too. Visit PKL’s sister concept next door, FM Kitchen + Bar, where you’ll find indulgent bar bites, salads, burgers, and sandwiches. 1112 Shepherd Dr., Houston, pklsocial.com
NettBar
Those seeking a dog-friendly and kid-friendly environment in which to sip frozen cocktails will appreciate the chill vibe at this Shady Acres hangout. With a kids menu and playground, parents can kick back and relax with one of many frozen concoctions. For a taste of nostalgia, try the Dreamsicle, made with orange vodka and cream. Other crowdpleasing frozens include the Ketel One vodka lemonade, paloma, Paddy’s Irish coffee, and the prickly pear frosé. Visit during happy hour, Tuesday through Friday, and score $6 frozens. 4504 Nett St., Houston, nettbarhouston.com/westend/
Voodoo Queen Daiquiri Dive
This quirky watering hole has frozen drink machines churning out frosty daiquiris in a myriad of flavors like the coffee-flavored Volcano Joe and the Basic Betty with strawberries and rum. There is also a menu of machine blends that mixes various flavors together with a tooter, or shooter, of extra booze. Frozen drink connoisseurs will appreciate the hand-blended daiquiris spiked with Bacardi 151 rum, in varieties like the Banana Hammock, made with fresh bananas; and the Thrilla Gorilla, which combines banana, coffee liqueur, and chocolate. 322 Milby St., Houston, ssvoodooqueen.com
Monkey’s Tail
This Lindale Park haunt skirts the line between hip and divey with its retro flair, laid-back atmosphere, and vibey patio. Monkey’s Tail has three frozens on offer, including Tom’s margarita ($10), the chile mangonada ($10), and a banana colada ($10). Even on warm weather days, guests love taking to the dog-friendly patio, fitted with TVs, for outdoor sipping and socializing. 5802 Fulton St., Houston, monkeystailhou.com
The Spot
This Galveston tiki bar and restaurant opened a location in League City in 2023, followed by an outpost at Hobby Airport. With its “Island Famous” slogan, the Spot is a haven for frozen drinks and a laid back tropical experience. Go for the standard frozen pina colada ($8), or try the Dirty Monkey ($14), a pina colada made with banana cream rum and Malibu black rum. Other frozens include margaritas in a number of flavors, that can be enjoyed as a flight for $15. Multiple locations, thespotrestaurants.com
