photos by JULIE SOEFER
styling by KATE STUKENBERG
model MICHAELA McCLURE FOR WALLFLOWER MANAGEMENT
hair and makeup by TONYA RINER
styling assistance by GRETA CONNOLLY
Shot on location in Montrose
Windsor Fire cocktail at Marigold Club
Bartender Alejandro Medina pours a mean margarita — with or without tequila! But for something more unique, try the virgin Amaretto Sour with pineapple. Plus, at the original Bludorn restaurant in Montrose, a portion of proceeds from all mocktails goes to Ben's Friends, a national nonprofit for hospitality workers struggling with addiction.
This month, the speakeasy inside the Four Seasons Hotel Downtown features the zero-proof Crystal Cube Libre in a beautiful glass bottle, and the bartenders can also whip up a bespoke "Dealer's Choice" mocktail upon request.
Love at First Sight
The award for variety may go to this Chinese spot with locations in Rice Village, Cypress and Memorial. All 14 specialty cocktails can easily be made NA (and are only $6!). Try the sweet-and-sour-inspired Love at First Sight with pomegranate and lemon.
Who doesn't love options? Little Woodrow's shakes up a yummy Cherried Away — sweet black cherry, vanilla, lime, salt and cola — and a more tropical Faux Loma with grapefruit and a spicy rim. Any of the mocktails here can be transformed into a full-blown cocktail, or even a low-BVA version, upon request. It's up to you!
Hungry's (photo by Jenn Duncan)
A Houston classic for healthful dining, Hungry's — including its massive new outpost on Woodway — has fantastic options for Dry January. The anti-inflammatory Ginger Turmeric Tonic is topped with sparkling water for a vibrant and tummy-pleasing affair!
For something comforting yet refreshing, opt for the zero-proof Oye Morro: Salvadoran Horchata, coconut milk, lime, pineapple gomme syrup, and piloncillo. When it inevitably warms up, cool down with a Tamarind Arnold Palmer!
The bar team at Katami has a fantastic NA botanical spirit to mix into some of its standout cocktails, such as the Okinawa Sizzle with passionfruit and lime, or the Shiso Side with yuzu, shiso and hot sesame oil.
Windsor Fire
Craving a martini? Hit up Marigold Club in Montrose for a spirit-free, olive-forward version called Secret Garden. Alternatively, the Windsor Fire — allspice distillate, grapefruit, lemon — will warm you up from the inside out this month.
Caffe Nonoretto
Director of Bars Máté Hartai offers an alcohol-free version of her popular Caffe Noncoretto: pistachio milk, house amaro blend, brown sugar and almond, all steamed and aerated before served hot in a frozen espresso cup, tableside. We'll drink to that!
Be whisked away to a tropical paradise at Phat Eatery in Katy and The Woodlands: The Coco Paradise has pineapple, passionfruit and coconut, while the Lychee Sunrise is comprised of fresh lychee, orange juice and pomegranate-reduced-syrup. Say ahhhh!
Enjoy this cute patio spot with a Como La Flor in hand. The sparkling concoction is made with Lyre's Dry London, orange, lime, grenadine and ginger beer.
John & Amanda Taylor, Stephanie Willis, Jason Weddle
Hosted by Spindletop Community Impact Partners, the energy-industry event supports more than 40 different nonprofits in the area, mostly ones benefiting at-risk children and families. Executives from big-wig oil companies including ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Equinor, Murphy Oil Corporation and many others attended the milestone gala, which honored individuals Dominic Macklon, Terry Bono and Jordan Zaiser for their involvement in the industry and community.
The evening kicked off with the national anthem sung by Etoile Academy Charter Middle School students, and a dance performance courtesy of Ensemble Theatre Young Performers. Throughout the night, artist Fumi McFarland wowed guests with her mesmerizing sand art, and patrons supported a toy drive for Girls Inc. After bidding on silent auction items — deBoulle diamond earrings, Astros and Texans tickets, dinners at Tony's, The Marigold Club and Brasserie 19, and a hunting trip to the Patagonia region — attendees hit the dance floor.
The evening raised a whopping $1 million!
Ann Adamson, Warwick King, Keelan Adamson, Wendy King
Veronica Foley
Billy-Jo Lafortune, Lindsay Weddle, Pragati Mathur
Spindletop Women in STEM BAFTX Scholar Reagan Crow
Constance White Volunteer Service Award Recipient Jordan Zaiser with Lia Vallone, Lindsay Weddle & Bart Cahir
Chad & Cristina Williams
Seliece & Lee Womble
Ensemble Theatre Young Performers
Eric Everett, Richard & Julie Mercer, Kaitlin & Jordan Zaiser
Sara & Ryan Young, Kerry Sedge
Laura Miller, Evan & Stacy Powell
Roger & Jill Jenkins
Liam & Gill Mallon
National Anthem Singers from Etoile Academy Charter School
Luna Rey, Genevieve Carter
Maggie & Greg Sheridan