DRINKING

A not-so-scary haunted house, an Oktoberfest extravaganza and a food and wine festival featuring some of the city’s top chefs made our shortlist of the Houston-area’s cultural offerings this weekend.

It’s an excellent time to try new food in Houston.

A sunset wine walk, a salute to Black artists and a celebration of The Beach Boys via dance made our list of this weekend’s Houston cultural offerings.

The founders of Grinder’s Coffee Bar, The CBD Apothecary, and Wild in the Heights announced that they will soon open a second Wild location in Montrose.

Of the city’s many fine coffee shops, these are the ones inviting enough to linger in.

Easy ideas for your at-home entertaining

Houston Life celebrated Courtney Zavala's birthday with refreshing cocktails from Urbe.

Refreshing recipes from Bludorn Restaurant

NBA legend Scottie Pippen returns to Houston and stops by our studio

The actor testified about his volatile marriage to Amber Heard ahead of cross examination by her lawyers.

A preview of Splashway Waterpark & Campground's family-friendly wine event.

Drink up Houston! It’s that time again! Margarita Day is Feb. 22.

Sipple, the new non-alcoholic bottle shop in Houston’s Rice Village offers everything from dealcoholized wine to functional spirits. Husband and wife team Danny and Helenita Frounfelkner have something in stock for every sober curious person.

Danny and Helenita Frounfelkner, the husband and wife team behind Houston’s first booze-free bottleshop Sipple, shared two easy unleaded cocktails complete with functional spirits.

This weekend you can drink some of the best brews from around the country while giving back to local charities.

They say the more spirits you drink, the more spirits you see, and you’ll definitely want some liquid courage to brave this historic haunt in the heart of Houston. Located near the corner of Preston and Main St., Dean’s Downtown boasts a rich history dating back more than 120 years. Today, the former department store turned bar is still a hot spot for activity, and we don’t just mean for happy hour. Katie Harrison, Operations Manager of Nightly Spirits, shared her expertise on the historic building.

You may have heard a lot of buzz about hemp or CBD products and wondered exactly what they are or what they do. Luckily, the folks at Bayou City Hemp Co. have all the answers - and then some. From giving a tour of their innovative facility here in Houston to educating people on Texas’ legalization of hemp in 2019, Co-founders Ben Meggs and Jeromy Sherman are eager to share their knowledge as they pave the way to set industry standards for the booming hemp industry.

This summer in Houston has been a scorcher. If you’re looking for a refreshing way to beat the heat, we’ve got just the ticket. Musaafer Bar Manager, Himanshu Desai, is shaking up some top notch cocktails to help us cool off.

If you want to give your body a break from sugary sodas or alcohol while still being able to sip refreshing drinks at your next at-home event, we’ve got healthier alternatives for you to try.

Santa Fe’s mayor said he will not resign after making a controversial Facebook post about the deadly high school shooting. Jason Tabor said he takes full responsibility for the post but blames his actions on alcohol, PTSD, his childhood and not having his medication.

If you’re looking for gift ideas for dad and he loves drinking spirits, you can’t go wrong with a great bottle of whiskey.

'Gray area' drinking is a term used to describe a mild alcohol use disorder, health experts say. Here's what it looks like and how to seek help.

Need a drink? We don’t blame you. While you’re holed up at home, savor some simple pleasures: booze and takeout.

Where does Houston get its best margaritas? We asked and you answered.

“What are you having?” If you’re a Texan, odds are you’re ordering a margarita -- at least according to a new study.

Tex-Mex chain Taco Cabana launched its annual MargaritaPalooza, offering nine new margarita flavors and three tried-and-true classics. All margaritas are available for just $2 all day, every day, at participating Texas locations.

CAT SPRING, Texas – As we wrap up Women’s History Month, we want to spotlight a local woman-owned business that’s steeped in the rich history of Texas tea. In the town of Cat Spring Texas, Abianne Falla rediscovered Yaupon, the only caffeinated plant native to North America, that’s now putting Texas back on the map of the global tea industry. Cat Spring Texas lies about 60 miles west of Houston and has a population of about 1,500. “I think we all remember the driest year in Texas history: the drought of 2011,” said Falla. Everything looked scorched and withered except for one plant and that was Yaupon.”AdCurious about this sturdy plant, Falla and her sister began conducting research on it.

Popular beverage Topo Chico will soon be available in Texas with a boozy upgrade. Molson Coors Beverage Company will begin distributing Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in Texas on March 29. The new beverage combines purified spiked sparkling water and natural flavors with minerals. Topo Chico Hard Seltzer will be available in four flavors including: Tangy Lemon Lime, Exotic Pineapple, Strawberry Guava and Tropical Mango. “Topo Chico Hard Seltzer is a modern take on refreshment that brings entirely new character to the red-hot seltzer category.”

If you’re looking for fun drinks that you can make at home during these muggy, murky, rainy days ahead of us, we’ve got you covered.

After everything Houstonians have been through in the last week, and honestly the past year, everyone deserves a margarita that requires little effort to obtain.

The Traveling Spirit is a chic camper turned mobile bar that’s the perfect addition to your next outdoor event. Rachel Carlson, The Traveling Spirit Mobile Bar owner, purchased and converted a vintage camper into a chic mobile bar. Rachel Carlson, The Traveling Spirit Mobile Bar owner, crafted two Valentine's Day cocktails, Kiss from a Rose and LoveStruck. KISS FROM A ROSEIngredients:1.5 oz gin1/2 oz aperol1/2 oz rose syrup3/4 oz lemon juice3/4 egg white2 oz grapefruit soda (squirt)Directions:Add all ingredients except soda to shaker Shake (dry) for 15 sec. Double strain mixture over ice Top with grapefruit soda Garnish with dried rose petalsRachel Carlson, The Traveling Spirit Mobile Bar owner, crafted two Valentine's Day cocktails, Kiss from a Rose and LoveStruck.

Grab your gal pals and get ready to channel your inner Leslie Knope -- Feb. 13, a.k.a. Galentine’s Day, is fast upon us. Galentine’s Day reps unusual origins: The celebration of sisterhood was spawned by “Parks and Recreation,” the much-beloved NBC sitcom that chronicled the wild and impassioned antics of over-achiever Leslie Knope. Leslie describes Galentine’s Day as the best day of the year, adding “It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst,” she said, “plus frittatas.”AdFrom picnicking in the park to buddy films with your besties, here are a few ways to celebrate Galentine’s Day in Houston we’re sure Leslie Knope would approve of. Visit our Valentine’s Day page.

Are you considering trying Dry January, the annual initiative to stop drinking for the first month of the new year?

HOUSTON – If you are far from a mixologist and you want to kick up your quarantine cocktail game, Rainbow Lodge have cocktail kits to go and it’s easy to mix at home. Look at the six options they have available for you serve at home from their curbside to-go menu! COCKTAIL KITS TO-GOMARTINI $40Courtesy: (Rainbow Lodge)(Makes 4, 3-oz martinis)Includes:• 375mL bottle Belvedere Vodka OR Tanqueray London Dry Gin• 8 bleu cheese-stuffed olives and four lemon peels soaked in dry vermouthOLD FASHIONED $40Courtesy (Rainbow Lodge)(Serves 6)Includes:• 375mL Woodford Reserve Bourbon• 6 maraschino cherries and 6 orange peels soaked in bitter-sweet mixMANHATTAN $40Courtesy: (Rainbow Lodge)(Serves 6)Includes:• 375mL Woodford Reserve Bourbon• 6 Luxardo cherries soaked in bitters bitter-vermouth mixHIBISCUS MARGARITA $40A Lodge Specialty! Courtesy: (Rainbow Lodge)(Serves 6)Includes:• 375mL Jose Cuervo Traditional Silver Tequila• Rainbow Lodge Hibiscus Margarita mix and 8 lime wedgesMIMOSA $35Courtesy (Rainbow Lodge)Includes:• 750mL Torresella Prosecco• Orange juiceBLOODY MARY $40Courtesy: (Rainbow Lodge)(Serves 6)Includes:• 375mL bottle Belvedere Vodka OR Tanqueray London Dry Gin• Rainbow Lodge Bloody Mary mix• 6 garnish picks with pickled green bean, pepper-stuffed olive and lime wedgeFor more information, click here.

For more information visit reykavodka.com

It’s a late October morning in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, and Molly Cummings is atop a scaffold, foraging alligator juniper berries from a wild tree. The spirits company produces two gins, WildBark and WildJune, which are both distilled from rye and malted barley and infused with juniper berries native to the Davis Mountains. A fellow scientist told her where to find alligator juniper, also known as checkerbark, which grows above approximately 6,000 feet in the Davis Mountains. While she was collecting alligator juniper berries, she found another type of juniper that wouldserve as the backbone for WildJune. The plant, red berry juniper, is a rare species mainly found in parts of West Texas and the Panhandle, with the richest concentration in the Davis Mountains.

Ask three vintners what it means to make “natural wine” and you’ll get three different answers, probably accompanied by a shrug. And yet, natural wine production is on the rise across the country. Think of natural wine as less is more. By forgoing those tools, natural wine producers leave themselves more exposed to nature’s whims, making their own jobs harder. 512-829-1650;southoldfarmandcellar.comRobert Clay VineyardsTry the pétillant naturel, a crowd-pleasing entry into natural wine for lovers of rosé and bubbles.113 Austin St., Mason.

HOUSTON – Wouldn’t it be nice to get something other than free candy this Halloween? Below you’ll find a list of freebies and deals available in the Houston area throughout October and how you can get them:We will be adding more deals as soon as we find out about them so be sure to come back as Halloween approaches. Its hands and feet Halloween therapy special offers a scrub, paraffin, a massage and crystal therapy for $55. With the purchase of any dozen donuts, customers can score a dozen of its Sweet-or-Treat donuts for only $1. On Halloween, kids 12 and under who visit Dickey’s in a costume will eat for free at participating Houston area locations.

Greg Abbott’s latest tweet is giving some bar owners hope that he will soon announce the reopening of Texas bars as coronavirus numbers in the state continue to decline. His recent tweet piqued the interest of many after he used a GIF of two people toasting with beer mugs. In his last round of reopenings, Abbott said restaurants, retail shops, gyms, office buildings and factories could increase capacity to 75% starting Sept. 21. He also allowed hospitals to resume elective procedures and nursing homes and assisted living facilities to allow visitations again with health protocols in place. Abbott ordered that bars remain closed during September’s announcement because they were nationally recognized as places where COVID-19 spreads.

Now three companies have given the trend a Texas twist with canned ranch water. Canned ranch water, unlike mass market spiked seltzer, avoids the cloying, too-sweet taste while still packing a refreshing punch. Owner Katie Beal Brown, a West Texas native, remembers folks in her ranching family drinking ranch water all her life. This fall, new flavors like Spicy Ranch Water, made with jalapeño, and Rio Red Grapefruit Ranch Water, will join the line. Whether ranch water will become a national phenomenon like spiked seltzer remains to be seen.

HOUSTON In need of a break from constant cooking at home this long Labor Day weekend? This frozen cocktail and snack truck will offer two food and drink specials on Labor Day. This restaurant in The Heights will feature $7 frozen cocktails during its Labor Day brunch. Drink offers are available for dine-in customers only, while food specials are available for dine-in and to-go orders. Address: 520 Westheimer RoadPhone: (832) 409-5785Is your establishment running any food or drink specials this Labor Day?

HOUSTON – Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, many companies switched to making much-needed products like PPE and hand sanitizer. Because they already had the containers on-hand, many of the companies that switched to making alcohol-based hand sanitizers have been packing it in containers meant for food or drink. “It’s dangerous to add scents with food flavors to hand sanitizers, which children could think smells like food, eat and get alcohol poisoning,” said Hahn. For more information, people can read the FDA’s guidelines on safe use of hand sanitizer or check out the agency’s question and answer page. People can also go online to see a list of hand sanitizers the FDA says people should not use.

HOUSTON Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the launch of Houstons Small Business Economic Relief Program during Mondays daily briefing on the citys COVID-19 cases. Small business owners can apply for an SBERP grant beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday. The $15 million program, funded with the citys allocated CARES Act funds, will provide immediate and short term assistance to small businesses and chambers of commerce that have been impacted by the pandemic. I highly encourage you to take your time to complete your application fully and carefully before the Sept. 4 deadline.How will business owners get the money? In addition to immediate financial assistance, the SBERP is also intended to help small businesses sustain their operations during and after the pandemic.

Wine industry veteran Jean-Francois Bonnet developed his Houston-based wine brand Liberation de Paris as a tribute to the United States efforts in World War II. He also discussed the Houston Food scene, divulged some of his favorite area restaurants and shared what about Houston he loved so much he decided to make the city his permanent home. As a matter of fact, I was supposed to be in New York and I ended up in Houston really by coincidence and I never left Houston. But I feel because I work a lot internationally, people dont know Houston, theyve never heard of Houston so they dont really know the city. During the month of August, which will see the 76th anniversary of the German surrender of Paris, Liberation de Paris will raise money for American soldiers.

HOUSTON A Karbach Brewing Company Brewmaster and Tomball High School graduate is bringing the business back home. CCJ Collaborations, founded by Chris Juergen of Tomball, announced Tuesday the construction of a brewery and restaurant in the Tomball Business & Technology Park. Rendering of Tomball brewery designed by Ziegler Cooper Architects. (CCJ Collaborations)The facility which is being designed by Ziegler Cooper Architects will have a modern industrial feel. The modern industrial structure is going to be clean, crisp, and elegant, Juergen said.

HOUSTON The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) suspended the licenses of six Houston-area bars for being found in violation of Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts order this weekend. Last month, Abbott announced that due to the surging coronavirus cases, all Texas bars must shut down to help slow the spread of the virus. The actions in this executive order are essential to our mission to swiftly contain this virus and protect public health.The TABC said Monday that there were multiple bars found in violation of Abbotts order over the weekend. Each business will have the opportunity to contest the suspension at a hearing before a state administrative judge, according to the TABC.

Taco Cabana’s new margarita flavors launch July 3 and they’re calling it MargaritaPalooza. A new drink perfect for this red, white and blue weekend is the Star-Spangled Banner. It’s a three-flavored margarita with strawberry, lime and blue curaçao. Gallon sized margaritas are available for $34.99 in the flavors mango, lime and strawberry. Mango Strawberry Blue Curaçao Lime Passion fruit Frosé Mangonada Prickly pear Watermelon Mojitorita Dr Pepper Star-Spangled Banner

Greg Abbott on Friday expressed regret over the reopening process. Greg Abbott on Friday expressed regret for the first known time about the reopening process he spearheaded during the coronavirus pandemic, saying he should not have allowed bars to open as quickly. At this time, it is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars," Abbott said Friday morning. Abbott permitted bars to reopen for the first time on May 22, at 25% indoor capacity. During the increase, Abbott has cited Texas' large hospital capacity and the availability of respirators.

SEABROOK, Texas – A Seabrook bar defiantly reopened Sunday night after the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission suspended its permit for 30 days for not following health guidelines Saturday. In a post on Facebook, the bar wrote that they “will fight” the temporary license suspension. Jeff Schafer, general manager of BARge 295 told KPRC 2 the establishment has been operating in accordance with Governor Greg Abbott’s guidelines. Schafer said he does not believe the citation is legal and told KPRC 2 Barge 295 owners plan to appeal. According to TABC, a second citation could result in a 60-day liquor license suspension.

HOUSTON The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) temporarily suspended the permits of 12 bars in Texas, including a popular Houston bar, as the agency continues to crack down on establishments that are not complying with Gov. HandleBar Houston on Washington Avenue was among the seven bars that were caught Sunday in violation of orders during an undercover investigation by TABC, officials said. Operation Safe Open is an effort by TABC agents to inspect businesses across Texas to ensure theyre following protocols to slow the spread of COVID-19, officials wrote. TABC is strictly monitoring bar and restaurant activity and will pursue emergency license suspensions if there are violations that are a threat to public health and safety, officials wrote. TABC has the authority to suspend any license that poses a continuing threat to the public welfare.

Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas TribuneDuring shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Texans have been able to purchase alcoholic beverages to go from restaurants, including liquor. Abbott originally signed a waiver March 18 allowing to-go alcohol sales, in an effort to support struggling restaurants after they closed their dining areas. According to KABB-TV, the Texas Restaurant Association recently submitted a proposal to Abbotts office, asking to expand the waiver. Under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission guidelines, restaurants can only serve liquor in manufacturer-sealed bottles and with the purchase of food. Bills passed in the 2019 legislative session, allowed Texas breweries to sell beer to go and gave more restaurants the ability to deliver beer and wine.

But dont worry, restaurants will continue to offer curbside and delivery with Memorial Day family specials for you to enjoy at home. Getting ready for Memorial Day weekend? The restaurant will also offer $80 Family Packs for Memorial Day weekend with brisket, sausage, and bread pudding. WE ARE DELIVERING YOUR MEMORIAL DAY FAMILY PACKS THIS WEEKEND! Weve got the menu for Memorial Day weekend covered!

Reopening bars was a hotly debated issue with Texans and bar owners calling for the state to allow them to reopen. Some Houston bars have decided to get the party started early Friday. Address: 5317 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007Whatever Sports Bar and GrillThe northwest Houston sports bar plans to reopen at midnight and stay open until 2 a.m. as well. Address: 5110 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007Belle Station HoustonBelle Station Houston is a bar and pub grub with a big patio. Address: 207 Gray St, Houston, TX 77002

Greg Abbotts announcement Monday, breweries like No Label Brewing Company are getting ready to reopen Friday. No Label Brewing Company. No Label Brewing Company will reopen Friday at 3 p.m. at 25% capacity, in accordance with Abbotts guidelines. Saint Arnolds Brewing Company will also not reopen dining until after May 22 but will still be offering curbside pickup. KPRC 2 reached out to Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company as well and is yet to hear back from them.

Greg Abbott announced Monday that bars and breweries will finally be able to reopen Friday as part of the second phase of reopening Texas businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic. Reopening bars has been a hotly debated issue with Texans and bar owners calling for the state to allow them to reopen. Earlier this month, some bar owners even took to protesting outside the Texas Capitol, demanding the right to reopen. In early May, when Abbott announced the first phase of reopening, he explained his reasoning for not reopening bars as he did restaurants. See when other Texas businesses will be allowed to reopen in phase two of Abbotts plan.

At Kiepersol Vineyards & Winery, south of Tyler, a resident flock of guinea hens provides the soundtrack for an afternoon of wine tasting. East Texas has a reputation for being a region where people like sweet wines, Lee says. Texas grapes tend to taste of bright, juicy fruit, and thats the style I like myself.Winery and distillery hours: Tue-Sat 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. On any given year, more than 90 percent of the wines Perez makes come from Texas grapes. Thats the beauty and challenge of making wine.Los Pinos Ranch Winery - Pittsburg, TX.

I spy the occasional shop offering T-shirts, fudge, and German beer steins, but altogether I find a more sophisticated Fredericksburg. Just a short drive from downtown Fredericksburg, wine tourists find more than 50 wineries and vineyards, and in Gillespie County alone, the count is nearly 30 wineries. As is the case at almost every tasting room in the world, guests have the option to try a flight of small pours. Main Street still buzzes with beer lovers, and Fredericksburg Brewing Company, which opened in 1994, has never been more popular. But my favorite galleries and shops take me off Main Street, southward along Lincoln Street.