Lone Star Libations: Texas Debuts Cocktail Week This September

Houston, Texas (2025) – This September, Texas will step into the spotlight and claim its place on the cocktail map with the launch of Texas Cocktail Week, a new celebration of bartending craft and Southern hospitality in Houston. 

Running from September 14th - 21st, the week will bring together top bars from the state, local brands, global talent and cocktail lovers, for a dynamic program of tastings, takeovers, guest shifts, education sessions, and experiences. With events happening across Houston’s most acclaimed cocktail hotspots and a central hub downtown, Texas Cocktail Week will create an inclusive environment for consumers,  industry pros, home bartenders, and the cocktail curious to explore the state’s bold, diverse, and ever-evolving cocktail scene and its rapidly growing distilling movement. The full lineup of events will be unveiled on August 24th, 2025 with key components including: 

The Cocktail Passport

Guests can purchase a Cocktail Passport for $20, which grants access to events throughout the week - both at participating bars and the central hub - plus exclusive $5 cocktails at venues across the city.

Satellite Events

Taking place at top bars across the city, Cocktail Passport holders will gain access to guest shifts, pop-up events, and exclusive masterclasses hosted by standout Houston venues including Reserve 101, Two Headed Dog, Bandista, Bayou & Bottle, Doris Metropolitan, Johnny’s Gold Brick, Julep, Nickel City, Camaraderie, Eight Row, EZ’s Liquor Lounge, Bar Bludorn, Navy Blue, Flint East End, and many more. For the full schedule of events please visit TexasCocktailWeek.com. 

Guest Bartender Series

Featuring talent from 12 of the world’s most awarded cocktail bars, the Guest Bartender Series will bring the best of global cocktail culture to the heart of Texas—spotlighting standout bartenders from Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio, El Paso, Marfa, and beyond. Visiting bars include Jewel of the South (New Orleans), Press Club (Washington, D.C.), Happy Accidents (Albuquerque) and Paper Cut (Austin), among others. 

Global Bar Partners

More than 15 bars across Houston will host events throughout the week, with each one offering a unique taste of global cocktail culture, spotlighting countries like Mexico, Italy, Singapore, Japan, Sweden, and beyond, including LaoWei (Vancouver) and Locale (Florence). 

"I’m thrilled to see Texas Cocktail Week come to life — it’s the first time we’ll come together as a full industry to celebrate cocktail culture here in Houston.” stated Julep owner, Alba Huerta “A true moment for our city hosting the global bartending community."

There’s never been a better time or place for a dedicated celebration of cocktail culture. Texas is the fastest-growing hospitality market in the U.S., with 2024 marking a record year: travelers spent $97.5 billion in-state, generating an economic impact of nearly $200 billion. Houston alone reported nearly $1.6 billion in mixed beverage sales, underscoring the city’s strength as a major player in the national bar and restaurant scene. Meanwhile, spirit consumption across Texas has surged, rising from 14 million 9-liter cases in 2018 to 19.6 million in 2022, an impressive compound annual growth rate of 8.64%. With this kind of momentum, launching Texas Cocktail Week isn’t just timely, it’s essential. And Houston is ready to take center stage.

Texas Cocktail Week is the brainchild of writer and James Beard Award finalist, B.E. Mintz and native Texan, Rachel Boyd whose shared vision is to celebrate the talent of this burgeoning state by combining celebrated local and national bartenders who together will raise the regions profile while providing a spirited way for locals and visitors alike to immerse themselves in Texas’ unique imbibing culture and warm hospitality spirit. 

“Texas has always had the talent, the stories, and the spirit—literally and figuratively. With Texas Cocktail Week, we're giving our bartenders, distillers, and cocktail lovers the spotlight they deserve. This is more than a celebration; it’s a statement that Texas belongs on the global cocktail stage,” said Rachel Boyd, Co-Founder of Texas Cocktail Week.

Texas Cocktail Week cocktail passports will be available to buy from September 1st, 2025. For all details pertaining to events, ticket sales and participating bars, please visit TexasCocktailWeek.com and follow on social media at @texascocktailweek. 

The Bars at Night

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