It's finally starting to feel like Fall weather here in Houston, and I'm super excited about it. While the cooler temps are a major plus, there's just something about Fall cocktails that give me ALL THE FEELS. Around the city, cocktail menus are changing and incorporating so many warm, comforting flavors that I love oh so much. Whether you prefer the spiced flavors of cinnamon and clove or fancy the warmth of a hot after dinner toddy, there's options available for any taste.

Here are a few Fall Cocktail offerings that I think are worth the try. Check them out and let me know what you think!

Mixing it myself with Bulleit
- I love entertaining with friends, so I've been working on my cocktail making skills. Although I'm still not a dope mixologist, I'm slowly getting better. I'm a major fan of Bulleit Bourbon and I think it's especially great for making Fall-esque cocktails. I recently picked up some fresh apples from HEB, a bottle of Sipp Eco Bev (ginger blossom flavor), and created my own beverage with Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whisky. Tasty...Simple..Straightforward...

Toulouse Cafe and Bar
- Toulouse recently released a new "After Dinner" drink menu that features several cocktails that are perfect for Fall. The Carajillo: made with Licor 43 and espresso. The Cafe Royale: made with coffee, cognac, and cream. The Brandy Alexander: made with Hennessy VS Cognac, creme de cacao, cream, and shaved nutmeg. Each of these drinks are nice options for a little post-dinner jolt.

Photo by: Bonner Rhoden, courtesy of Toulouse.

Grimaldi's Pizza
- At all five of their Houston location, Grimaldi's will feature two new seasonal specialty cocktails. The Italian “75” cocktail with Square One Bergamot Vodka, blood orange puree, and lemon juice topped with La Marca Prosecco. There's also the “Mocha” Martini, made with Chopin Vodka, Dorda Chocolate Liqueur, Galliano Ristretto and Half & Half, served in an Oreo® cookie rimmed glass.

Raven Tower at White Oak Music Hall
- In addition to their twenty-four beers on tap and a pretty solid spirits selection, Raven Tower has added a few new winter cocktails to their menu. Grab a few friends and head on over to check out these winter wonders. First up is the Frozen Irish Coffee: Satisfy your coffee craving with this holiday drink that offers an irresistible mixture of Bushmill's Black Bush Irish Whiskey, Catalina Coffee, vanilla, and sugar. Next is the Cinnamon Old Fashioned: Featuring a fall twist on a classic drink, this cocktail is a combination of Four Roses Bourbon, sugar, cinnamon, and bitters. Finally, the Cranble: Kick back and treat yourself to a delicious, fruity concoction of Ford’s Gin, fresh cranberries, lemon, sugar, and soda

Roka Akor
- Roka Akor invites guests to try the The Backroom Deal, a mix of Añejo tequila, Carpano Antica, Tuaca, toasted tobacco leaf and vanilla bitters. Or opt for one of Roka’s seasonal shochus — a distilled Japanese beverage born of simple pot still technology imported from Korea and Taiwan some 700 years ago.

State of Grace
- Get in the holiday spirit with several new Fall/holiday cocktails from State of Grace. The Beast of Burden: Ginger/clove infused vodka, apple fennel shrub, topped with sparkling wine. This cocktail is served over crushed ice in an old fashioned glass with apple garnish. The Perfect Sin: Pomegranate clove brandy, Antica Formula, Dolin Dry, and Angostura orange bitters served in a chilled martini glass with a flamed orange peel garnish. The Country Store is an applejack old fashioned with maple syrup and aromatic bitters; served over cubed ice in an old fashioned glass and garnished with a brandied cherry.

Yauatcha
- An indulgent flavor combination perfect for the holiday season, Yauatcha’s Elemental Fashioned combines El Tesoro reposado tequila, vanilla, burnt caramel, cocoa nibs, sour cherries, aromatic bitters, and sandalwood smoke.

So, what you're waiting for? You now have an idea of a few places around town offering tasty Fall/holiday cocktails that are perfect for enjoying on a cool Houston night; send that group text invite to meet you at the bar. You never know, I just may see you up there.

*Special thank you and consideration to Bulleit*

Cheers, my friends!

-Dom