Summer is preheating, but spring is still in full swing. With recent rains, crisp mornings, and patio-perfect evenings, restaurants and bars are taking full advantage of Mother Nature\u2019s current bounty by using fresh herbs, bright citrus, and garden ingredients in new cocktails. Trending are Italian spritzes and refreshing wine spritzers, which are both delightfully less potent than heavier winter libations. Also trending are those viral soft-serve margaritas. We share where to find them, and lots of other pretty springtime concoctions, in this May edition of Where to Drink – a list of eight best spots for new spring sips.<\/p>\n
Piattello Italian Kitchen Birrieria Chalio WineHaus Ellerbe Fine Foods Delucca Gaucho Pizza & Wine Blackland Distillery
<\/a><\/strong>It\u2019s officially spritz season at Marcus Paslay\u2019s Italian eatery, located near a greenspace in the Waterside development, with a patio perfect for people watching. \u201cSpritz\u201d is not a singular drink, but rather a genre of cocktail that typically consists of Venetian prosecco, a mixer (usually club soda), and a flavoring liqueur. The orange-hued, slightly bittersweet Aperol Spritz<\/strong> is the most widely known, and Piattello offers its version year-round. But for spring, the restaurant\u2019s bar has debuted a lengthier lineup of spritzes: Limoncello Spritz<\/strong>, featuring house-made limoncello; Italicus Spritz<\/strong>, made with the turquoise-tinged bergamot liqueur; Hugo Spritz<\/strong>, stirred with gin and elderflower liqueur; and a Frozen Aperol Spritz<\/strong>. Other seasonal cocktails include the new pineapple and coconut cream vodka concoction called Miss Sunshine<\/strong>, and the Luxardo Whiskey Sour<\/strong>. All range from $13-$16, or $8 during \u201cHappy Hour Spritz,” 4:30-6 pm Monday-Friday.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/strong>This longtime spot for Cali-Mex cuisine quietly introduced Fort Worth to the birria trend when it opened in 2010 after relocating from Los Angeles. Now the restaurant (at 308 E. Seminary Dr.) is responsible for kickstarting another viral sensation in Cowtown: soft serve margaritas<\/strong>. Debuting just this month, the thick swirled margaritas ($15) come in either mango or strawberry flavors, or a combo of both. With options for a Tajin and chamoy rim, plus the sweet and spicy \u201cMexican candy\u201d tequila shot the drink comes with, the concoction is trending rapidly for its boozy take on classic soft-serve ice cream \u2013 with zero dairy. Birrieria Chalio is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner starting at 8 am.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/strong>The Park Place Avenue wine bar has launched a lineup of seasonal spritzers \u2013 which are not the same as spritzes. Both are served over ice, but the latter is an aperitif that focuses on flavor with the addition of liqueur. The former is a simple two-ingredient combination of wine and something effervescent (like sparkling water), or in the case of WineHaus\u2019 Kalimoxto<\/strong>, red tempranillo and Diet Coke. (It\u2019s been a surprising hit.) Other new WineHaus spritzers include the light and breezy Lemon Basil White Wine Spritzer<\/strong>, made with Sauvignon Blanc and club soda; the Ruby Red Spritzer<\/strong>, made with sparkling wine and ruby red grapefruit sparkling water; and the Lambrusco Mule<\/strong>, made with sparkling red lambrusco, non-alcoholic ginger beer, and lime. Try them on the charming patio during jazz night, held every Friday.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/strong>Bright citrus, garden herbs, and elegant florals are the theme behind Ellerbe Fine Foods\u2019 new roster of spring cocktails, each thoughtfully created to feel like a special occasion. There are five on the seasonal list, ranging from the dandelion syrup sweetened Just Dandy<\/strong>, made with Blackland Vodka, to the Strawberry Rhubarb Sour<\/strong>, made with Demases Farm strawberry-infused bourbon and rhubarb liqueur. For a sophisticated switch from the conventional margarita, try the La Vaquera<\/strong>, made with La Pulga Reposado, orgeat, dry curacao, lime, and orange bitters. Spritz lovers, take note: Ellerbe will host a Spring Spritz Garden Party<\/a> on Wednesday, May 20 that includes light bites and two spritz cocktails for $25.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/strong>The Southlake-based Brazilian-style rodizio pizzeria, which has locations in Alliance and on Hulen Steet, launched five new cool cocktails for spring and summer sipping. On the list is the classic Hugo Spritz<\/strong>; the Paloma del Sol<\/strong>, mixed with grapefruit and mezcal; the Gaucho Way<\/strong>, made with Aperol and bourbon; the Apple of My Eye<\/strong>, tinged with Fireball; and the Blackberry Sorbet<\/strong> blended with blackberry puree, Tito\u2019s vodka, lemon and orange juices. Pair with gourmet pizzas like honey soppressata, four cheese and truffle, or cupping pepperoni.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/strong>Here\u2019s a spring cocktail lineup that will tantalize even the most sophisticated senses. Blackland Distillery evokes a wide range of flavors in its five new seasonal sips. Not much for overly sweet drinks? Try the Root Awakening<\/strong>, made with Blackland Rye and a savory syrup infused radish, celery, dill, and pink peppercorn. The vodka-based Garden Party<\/strong> is light with lime juice and cucumber. Summer\u2019s strawberries shine in the Kiss & Tell<\/strong>, made with strawberry-infused gin, strawberry puree, and rhubarb bitters. Or get spicy with Spice Girl<\/strong>, made with mango puree, Tajin syrup, and 100 proof bourbon. The apricot-infused Stone Fruit Sour<\/strong>, made with Blackland\u2019s popular Texas Pecan Brown Sugar Bourbon, rounds out the list. The tasting room is open Wednesday-Friday at 4 pm and Saturday at 1 pm.<\/p>\n