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a hot toddy in a clear glass mug, garnished with a clove and lemon peel and with steam floating above it — Julep’s Cromstock Toddy

Where to Warm Up With Hot Cocktails in Houston

The city’s most comforting hot toddies, spiked hot chocolate and more

by Megha McSwain Dec 29, 2020, 12:00pm CST

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Julep’s Cromstock Toddy

| Photo courtesy Julep

by Megha McSwain Dec 29, 2020, 12:00pm CST

Houston may not be the coldest city in the country, but it is one of the coolest — and when temps drop, there are a wealth of ways to stay cozy and warm, including indulging in some of the city’s best hot cocktails. A traditional whisky-based hot toddy, with honey and citrus, offers a blanket of warmth with each sip — and is said to aid cold symptoms — but Houston beverage experts are having fun with lots of creative alternatives.

Whether you want to keep it classic with a standard hot toddy or experiment with cocktails crafted with hot teas and dessert liqueurs, refer to our map of the best restaurants and bars serving up hot cocktails worth sipping.

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Johnny's Gold Brick

St. Nick is wilding out at Johnny’s Gold Brick, where the Bad Santa cocktail blends mulled wine, Maker’s Mark bourbon, Grand Marnier, and winter spices together in a funky Santa-head mug. Want to stick with tradition? The house toddy with Old Grand Dad bonded bourbon, lemon, honey and hot water is always available too.

2518 Yale St, Houston, TX 77008

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Also featured in:

Lei Low

Bring an island vibe to your holiday celebration with one of this beloved tiki bar’s most iconic drinks, the Hot Buttered Banana. This tropical riff on hot buttered rum combines macadamia nut liqueur, banana-infused Jamaican rum, and the bar’s rich and spiced “tiki butter.” Order takeout online via Lei Low’s website.

6412 N Main St Ste.C, Houston, TX 77009

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Heights Bier Garten

Consistent with the beverage program at sister dpoy Wooster’s Garden, Heights Bier Garten offers seven unique new libations as part of its 6th annual winter hot toddy menu. The “Heard ‘Em Say” is rich in flavor with Elijah Craig, spiced pear, butter, masala bitters and lemon oil, while the “She’s A Fine Girl” is a play on adult hot chocolate, spiked with Sacred Bond brandy and cassis.

1433 N Shepherd Dr #1, Houston, TX 77008

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Bobcat Teddy's Icehouse

Neighborhood gem Bobcat Teddy’s makes it easy for guests to get cozy on the chilliest of evenings, offering comfortable outdoor seating on a patio bedecked with heaters, and the addition of the hot toddy, cleverly coined The Hot Teddy, to its cocktail menu.

Open in Google Maps

2803 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007

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Also featured in:

Julep Bar

Skip the stress of crafting toddies at home, and leave it to the beverage experts. Julep is offering its bourbon toddy to-go for $10, a mix of bourbon, apricot liquer, rainwater madeira, and honey incorporated with cinnamon tea. Call or text 832-371-7715 for curbside pick-up or delivery.

Open in Google Maps

1919 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007

Visit Website

The Hay Merchant

Craft beer hangout Hay Merchant has a countless list of lagers and lots of interesting cocktails to kick back with, so it’s no surprise its hot toddy is just as impressive. Built with Venezuelan rum, barrel aged mead, banana, cinnamon and hot water, it is a perfect balance of sweet and boozy. Order curbside pickup or delivery through the Toast app.

1100 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

East End Backyard

With its sprawling 16,000-square-foot patio, complete with flat screens, food trucks and picnic tables, former Houston Dynamo star Brian Ching’s new East End Backyard offers a $10 hot toddy ideal for warming up with on crisp Houston days.

1105 Sampson St, Houston, TX 77003

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Tobiuo Sushi & Bar

Beverage Director Le Chau puts a Japanese spin on the classic with the Tobiuo Toddy by incorporating jasmine green tea and blending other warming ingredients like whiskey, lemon, cinnamon, clove and torched star anise. Find it on the current fall menu for $12. Order online here.

23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd Suite H130, Katy, TX 77494

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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One Fifth Southern Comfort

Plenty of hearty plates from the newly minted One Fifth: Southern Comfort pair well with the classic hot toddy, on the menu for $12. The earthy concoction melds bourbon, chicory, cinnamon and hot water allowing for long, slow sips. Order online at https://www.onefifthhouston.com.

Open in Google Maps

1658 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Rosie Cannonball

The Chalet at Rosie Cannonball, decked out with lounge furniture, blankets and fire pits, offers the picture-perfect backdrop for toasting the festive season. Find two hot Irish coffees on the menu for $10 each — Buena Vista style made with Irish whisky, Greenway coffee and spiced Benedictine cream and the Erin Ros(i)e style made with frozen Irish coffee. Add a floater for $3 if you dare. Order takeout through the Toast app.

1620 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Brennan's of Houston

There are plenty of warming coffee cocktails to pair with Brennan’s iconic desserts, but the Café Brûlot is by far the showiest. Crafted for two, the preparation begins with a clove-studded orange peel, flambeed tableside, then combined with brandy, Triple Sec and freshly brewed coffee and presented in a Brûlot or “burnt brandy” bowl. At $28, it is well worth the splurge. Order for takeout here.

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

A man pouring a flaming drink tableside — The Cafe Brûlot at Brennan’s

Also featured in:

a'Bouzy

In lieu of bubbles or vino, opt for A’bouzy’s comforting hot toddy crafted with Martell VS single distillery cognac, honey and lemon, available for $12.

2300 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

Visit Website

Also featured in:

UB Preserv

As the popularity of CBD cocktails roars on, UB Preserv puts a playful twist on its hot buttered rum with the Chai as a Kite cocktail, featuring chai tea infused dark rum, hot water, CBD butter and fragrant allspice and cardamom, available now for $12. Order online at https://www.ubpreserv.com.

Open in Google Maps

1609 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Two Headed Dog

Score a thermos full of toddys at Two Headed Dog, which is making available two hot drinks for dine-in or to-go. Holiday-themed Deep Eddy thermoses contain enough for two beverages and feature the Hot Island Action with vodka, clove, cinnamon, cranberry and blood orange tea and the vodka-based Fresh Express hot cocoa with orange bitters, mint and vanilla cream. Visit twoheadeddog2go.square.site/ to order online.

3100 Fannin St #115, Houston, TX 77004

Also featured in:

11 Houston Cocktail Bars Serving Top-Notch Mixed Drinks To-Go

Wooster's Garden

As part of its impressive list of ever-changing craft cocktails, Wooster’s Garden has launched its 6th annual winter hot toddy menu, with the team creating seven unique flavor profiles to please the palate. For traditionalists, there is the Slow & Low Hot Toddy with Slow & Low rye, bitters, lemon and hot water, while more exotic options include the tequila and mezcal heavy Blessed by Fortunella with kumquat and ginger. Insider tip: Keep a camera phone close by, these toddys are Insta-worthy.

3315 Milam St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Musaafer

An amalgam of the many tastes and traditions of India’s 29 states, the menu at Musaafer boasts a healthy balance of old versues new, and the same can be said for its spiced chai hot toddy. Roots of the hot toddy date back to the 1600s when the Hindi word “taddy” was used to describe drinks made from fermented palm sap — in time evolving to the alcoholic beverage made of hot water, sugar and spices that we know today. Musaafer’s interpretation, made with bourbon, spiced honey, Asam black tea, cinnamon and lemon with ginger notes offers India’s influence on the popular pub drink. Order takeout through Toast or UberEats.

Open in Google Maps

5115 Westheimer Rd Suite C-3500, Houston, TX 77056

Visit Website

a hot toddy on a wooden block surrounded by warming spices like clove and a burning cinnamon stick — Musaafer’s hot toddy

Also featured in:

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

Have hot buttered rum the Pappas way with its rift on the wintery favorite. Ron Zacapa 23-year Solera rum is incorporated with a blend of spices like sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, along with vanilla-infused cream. Order online at https://order.pappas.com.

5839 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Penny Whistle Pub

This modern-day Irish pub offers three toddys this season, each for $8. The bar’s take on an Irish toddy is made with Jameson and clove-studded lemons, while the ginger toddy boasts bourbon, ginger liqueur and candied ginger and the tea toddy is a a healthy mix of jasmine tea and elderflower liqueur.

1625 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

two hot toddies on a table outside, garnished with cinnamon sticks and lemons — Penny Whistle’s hot toddies

Revelry on Richmond

The tree won’t be the only thing getting lit this year with Revelry offering patrons the choice to partake in festive cocktails like the spiked hot cocoa and a traditional hot toddy. Order through the Toast takeout app.

1613 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

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Johnny's Gold Brick

2518 Yale St, Houston, TX 77008

St. Nick is wilding out at Johnny’s Gold Brick, where the Bad Santa cocktail blends mulled wine, Maker’s Mark bourbon, Grand Marnier, and winter spices together in a funky Santa-head mug. Want to stick with tradition? The house toddy with Old Grand Dad bonded bourbon, lemon, honey and hot water is always available too.

2518 Yale St, Houston, TX 77008

Visit Website

Lei Low

6412 N Main St Ste.C, Houston, TX 77009

Bring an island vibe to your holiday celebration with one of this beloved tiki bar’s most iconic drinks, the Hot Buttered Banana. This tropical riff on hot buttered rum combines macadamia nut liqueur, banana-infused Jamaican rum, and the bar’s rich and spiced “tiki butter.” Order takeout online via Lei Low’s website.

6412 N Main St Ste.C, Houston, TX 77009

Visit Website

Heights Bier Garten

1433 N Shepherd Dr #1, Houston, TX 77008

Consistent with the beverage program at sister dpoy Wooster’s Garden, Heights Bier Garten offers seven unique new libations as part of its 6th annual winter hot toddy menu. The “Heard ‘Em Say” is rich in flavor with Elijah Craig, spiced pear, butter, masala bitters and lemon oil, while the “She’s A Fine Girl” is a play on adult hot chocolate, spiked with Sacred Bond brandy and cassis.

1433 N Shepherd Dr #1, Houston, TX 77008

Visit Website

Bobcat Teddy's Icehouse

2803 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007

Neighborhood gem Bobcat Teddy’s makes it easy for guests to get cozy on the chilliest of evenings, offering comfortable outdoor seating on a patio bedecked with heaters, and the addition of the hot toddy, cleverly coined The Hot Teddy, to its cocktail menu.

Open in Google Maps

2803 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007

Visit Website

Julep Bar

1919 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007

Skip the stress of crafting toddies at home, and leave it to the beverage experts. Julep is offering its bourbon toddy to-go for $10, a mix of bourbon, apricot liquer, rainwater madeira, and honey incorporated with cinnamon tea. Call or text 832-371-7715 for curbside pick-up or delivery.

Open in Google Maps

1919 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007

Visit Website

The Hay Merchant

1100 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Craft beer hangout Hay Merchant has a countless list of lagers and lots of interesting cocktails to kick back with, so it’s no surprise its hot toddy is just as impressive. Built with Venezuelan rum, barrel aged mead, banana, cinnamon and hot water, it is a perfect balance of sweet and boozy. Order curbside pickup or delivery through the Toast app.

1100 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

East End Backyard

1105 Sampson St, Houston, TX 77003

With its sprawling 16,000-square-foot patio, complete with flat screens, food trucks and picnic tables, former Houston Dynamo star Brian Ching’s new East End Backyard offers a $10 hot toddy ideal for warming up with on crisp Houston days.

1105 Sampson St, Houston, TX 77003

Visit Website

Tobiuo Sushi & Bar

23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd Suite H130, Katy, TX 77494

Beverage Director Le Chau puts a Japanese spin on the classic with the Tobiuo Toddy by incorporating jasmine green tea and blending other warming ingredients like whiskey, lemon, cinnamon, clove and torched star anise. Find it on the current fall menu for $12. Order online here.

23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd Suite H130, Katy, TX 77494

Visit Website

One Fifth Southern Comfort

1658 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Plenty of hearty plates from the newly minted One Fifth: Southern Comfort pair well with the classic hot toddy, on the menu for $12. The earthy concoction melds bourbon, chicory, cinnamon and hot water allowing for long, slow sips. Order online at https://www.onefifthhouston.com.

Open in Google Maps

1658 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Rosie Cannonball

1620 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

The Chalet at Rosie Cannonball, decked out with lounge furniture, blankets and fire pits, offers the picture-perfect backdrop for toasting the festive season. Find two hot Irish coffees on the menu for $10 each — Buena Vista style made with Irish whisky, Greenway coffee and spiced Benedictine cream and the Erin Ros(i)e style made with frozen Irish coffee. Add a floater for $3 if you dare. Order takeout through the Toast app.

1620 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Brennan's of Houston

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

There are plenty of warming coffee cocktails to pair with Brennan’s iconic desserts, but the Café Brûlot is by far the showiest. Crafted for two, the preparation begins with a clove-studded orange peel, flambeed tableside, then combined with brandy, Triple Sec and freshly brewed coffee and presented in a Brûlot or “burnt brandy” bowl. At $28, it is well worth the splurge. Order for takeout here.

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

A man pouring a flaming drink tableside — The Cafe Brûlot at Brennan’s

a'Bouzy

2300 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

In lieu of bubbles or vino, opt for A’bouzy’s comforting hot toddy crafted with Martell VS single distillery cognac, honey and lemon, available for $12.

2300 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

Visit Website

UB Preserv

1609 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

As the popularity of CBD cocktails roars on, UB Preserv puts a playful twist on its hot buttered rum with the Chai as a Kite cocktail, featuring chai tea infused dark rum, hot water, CBD butter and fragrant allspice and cardamom, available now for $12. Order online at https://www.ubpreserv.com.

Open in Google Maps

1609 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Two Headed Dog

3100 Fannin St #115, Houston, TX 77004

Score a thermos full of toddys at Two Headed Dog, which is making available two hot drinks for dine-in or to-go. Holiday-themed Deep Eddy thermoses contain enough for two beverages and feature the Hot Island Action with vodka, clove, cinnamon, cranberry and blood orange tea and the vodka-based Fresh Express hot cocoa with orange bitters, mint and vanilla cream. Visit twoheadeddog2go.square.site/ to order online.

3100 Fannin St #115, Houston, TX 77004

Wooster's Garden

3315 Milam St, Houston, TX 77006

As part of its impressive list of ever-changing craft cocktails, Wooster’s Garden has launched its 6th annual winter hot toddy menu, with the team creating seven unique flavor profiles to please the palate. For traditionalists, there is the Slow & Low Hot Toddy with Slow & Low rye, bitters, lemon and hot water, while more exotic options include the tequila and mezcal heavy Blessed by Fortunella with kumquat and ginger. Insider tip: Keep a camera phone close by, these toddys are Insta-worthy.

3315 Milam St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Related Maps

Musaafer

5115 Westheimer Rd Suite C-3500, Houston, TX 77056

An amalgam of the many tastes and traditions of India’s 29 states, the menu at Musaafer boasts a healthy balance of old versues new, and the same can be said for its spiced chai hot toddy. Roots of the hot toddy date back to the 1600s when the Hindi word “taddy” was used to describe drinks made from fermented palm sap — in time evolving to the alcoholic beverage made of hot water, sugar and spices that we know today. Musaafer’s interpretation, made with bourbon, spiced honey, Asam black tea, cinnamon and lemon with ginger notes offers India’s influence on the popular pub drink. Order takeout through Toast or UberEats.

Open in Google Maps

5115 Westheimer Rd Suite C-3500, Houston, TX 77056

Visit Website

a hot toddy on a wooden block surrounded by warming spices like clove and a burning cinnamon stick — Musaafer’s hot toddy

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

5839 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057

Have hot buttered rum the Pappas way with its rift on the wintery favorite. Ron Zacapa 23-year Solera rum is incorporated with a blend of spices like sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, along with vanilla-infused cream. Order online at https://order.pappas.com.

5839 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057

Visit Website

Penny Whistle Pub

1625 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77006

This modern-day Irish pub offers three toddys this season, each for $8. The bar’s take on an Irish toddy is made with Jameson and clove-studded lemons, while the ginger toddy boasts bourbon, ginger liqueur and candied ginger and the tea toddy is a a healthy mix of jasmine tea and elderflower liqueur.

1625 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

two hot toddies on a table outside, garnished with cinnamon sticks and lemons — Penny Whistle’s hot toddies

Revelry on Richmond

1613 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77006

The tree won’t be the only thing getting lit this year with Revelry offering patrons the choice to partake in festive cocktails like the spiked hot cocoa and a traditional hot toddy. Order through the Toast takeout app.

1613 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Related Maps