Fun fact: La Pulga founder Sarah Castillo also owns Taco Heads, where you can order the reader-voted best margarita in Fort Worth. Need we say more?
Photo by @lapulgaspirits
If there’s one thing we’ve got in the Lone Star State, it’s spirit(s).
Did you know tequila is the most popular spirit in Texas? We can’t say we’re surprised — there’s nothing like a frozen margarita to beat the heat — but in case you’ve got different taste, we rounded up 37 Texas-based whiskeys, tequilas, vodkas, and more for your sipping pleasure.
Pro tip: before you get to drinking (responsibly), bookmark this page for reference next time you head to the liquor store.
Austin
Tequila
Dulce Vida Tequila | Multiple retailers + online | Choose from seven flavors (including extra añejo and pineapple jalapeño) of this tequila, which is the official tequila of Major League Pickleball and comes decorated by spirit competitions.
Pantalones Tequila Organico | Multiple retailers + online | Matthew and Camila McConaughey met over a margarita, so it just makes sense for the A-list couple to bring their own all-organic tequila brand (made with 100% Blue Weber agave) to the market.
Tequila 512 | Multiple retailers + online | This award-winning tequila is made using volcanic spring water, open-air fermentation, and 24-hour charcoal filtration before it’s bottled with the signature yellow label.
Vodka
Deep Eddy Vodka | Tasting room: 2250 E. Hwy. 290, Dripping Springs | Multiple retailers + online | Named after Deep Eddy Pool, this vodka is distilled 10 times and comes in eight unique flavors.
Tito’s Handmade Vodka | Multiple retailers + online | The founder of this world-renowned spirit slept on couches, maxed out 19 credit cards, and obtained the first legal permit to distill in Texas to get his vodka company off the ground.
Whiskey
Fierce Whiskers Distillery | Tasting room: 5333 Fleming Court | Multiple retailers + online | Whether you prefer rye or bourbon, this whiskey distillery prioritizes sustainability, sources local grains where possible, and is made completely in-house.
Milam & Greene Whiskey | Tasting room: 208 Carlie Lane, Blanco | Multiple retailers + online | Coming from veteran Kentucky whiskey distillers, this brand comes in eight blends ranging from triple cask to very small batch.
Still Austin Whiskey Co. | Tasting room: 440 E. St. Elmo Rd., Ste. F | Multiple retailers + online | Created by a father-son duo, this brand began distilling in 2017 and selling in 2020. Don’t be fooled by the name — Still Austin also sells a gin.
Treaty Oak Distilling | Tasting room: 16604 Fitzhugh Rd., Dripping Springs | Multiple retailers + online | The fourth distillery to operate in Texas, Treaty Oak’s whiskey comes in several flavors and with multiple accolades.
Misc.
Desert Door Sotol | Tasting room: 211 Darden Hill Rd., Driftwood | Multiple retailers + online | Sotol, made from a plant of the same name, has an earthy taste similar to mezcal.
Texas Saké Company | Tasting room: 440 E. St. Elmo Rd., Ste. B-2 | Online | Stop by the tasting room to try the Nigori, Junmai, Oak, and Nigori Ginjo flavors.
Spirit of Texas Brewstillery | Tasting room: 1715 Dalshank St., Pflugerville | Multiple retailers + online | This distillery’s Pecan Street Rum is smooth like butterscotch (without artificial flavors or sweeteners), but it also sells a pfantastic silver rum and single malt whiskey. No matter which one you choose, you can get creative with handcrafted cocktail recipes tailored to each spirit.
Fort Worth
Fun fact: La Pulga founder Sarah Vastillo also owns Taco Heads, where you can order the reader-voted best margarita in Fort Worth. Need we say more?
Photo by @lapulgaspirits
Tequila
La Pulga Spirits | Multiple retailers + online | Fort Worth entrepreneurs Sarah Vastillo, Andrew de la Torre, and Stephen Slaughter teamed up at the historic open-air La Pulga market on the Northside to launch this brand in 2023. Currently offered in three tequilas and a mezcal, the 100% Blue Weber Agave spirits channel the “heart and soul of Mexico” with no additives, concentrates, or coloring.
Vodka
Weber Ranch 1902 Vodka | Online | From Round 2 Spirits — who helped found and grow Patrón Tequila — the newly launched brand distills vodka from Blue Weber Agave, which is traditionally associated with tequila, creating an innovative new product grown in Jalisco, Mexico and crafted just north of Cowtown in Muenster.
Whiskey
What’s better than a cocktail made with local spirits?
Photo by @acredistilling
Acre Distilling Co. | Tasting room: 1309 Calhoun St., Fort Worth | Multiple retailers + online | In the historic Hell’s Half Acre downtown, Acre Distilling is bottling the “Texas renegade spirit” in small batches of everything from single malt whisky to cordials. ICYMI, you can tour the distillery weekly.
Bucking Bull Bourbon | Multiple retailers | Jumping out of the chute in 2023, this 100-proof spirit has a little kick inspired by the guts and grit of PBR bulls. Add some lime and mint and fruit for a Blackberry Smashbull.
Lockwood Distilling Co. | Richardson, Fort Worth, McKinney | Multiple retailers + online | Run by Evan and Sally Batt, the brand offers a variety of classic and flavored spirits. Visit one of the three tasting rooms for a cocktail made with bourbon cream liqueur, hibiscus vodka, or cinnamon rum.
TX Whiskey | Tasting room: 2601 Whiskey Ranch Rd., Fort Worth | Total Wine & More + online | Founded in 2010 by Leonard Firestone and Troy Robertson, the distillery prides itself on creating whiskey with a Texas twist with its blended whiskey and straight bourbon. Bonus: Each bottle cap is handcrafted from repurposed leather, adding a “touch of cowboy craftsmanship and heritage” to the bottles.
Liquor that matches your boots? Yes, please.
Photo by @therealcorinncrippin + Silver Star/Trinity River Distillery
Misc.
Blackland Distillery | Tasting room: 2616 Weisenberger St., Fort Worth | Multiple retailers + online | Named after the Blackland Prairie that runs from the Red River to San Antonio, the distillery uses the state’s tall native grasses to bring a rich flavor and smooth finish to its bourbon, rye, gin + vodka. Pro tip: Pour a little of the Blackland Texas Pecan Brown Sugar Bourbon into your pecan pie filling — trust us, it’s good.
Silver Star Spirits | Tasting room: Trinity River Distillery, 1734 E. El Paso St. | Multiple retailers + online | Using local ingredients and purified collected rainwater, the distillery offers five signature spirits. Don’t miss out on the Texas Honey whisky or Ranch Style Coffee honey liqueur.
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Dallas
Tequila
Socorro Tequila | Total Wine & More + online | For every case of tequila sold, this brand donates a case of water to orphanages, nursing homes, and communities in Mexico.
Vodka
Duckworth Distillery | Tasting room: 6445 Cedar Springs Rd. | Boasting several flavors of vodka and a dry gin, this brand is the brainchild of world-class winemaker and Dallas native Lee Fuqua.
Whiskey
Belfour Spirits | Multiple retailers | This whiskey’s legacy dates back to over a century ago: the Belfours were moonshiners in the 1920s. Belfour Spirits launched in 2019, and has since earned accolades for its packaging and flavor.
Misc.
Deep Ellum Spirits | Tasting room: 2880 Clover St. | The whiskey and vodka maker’s tasting room is a bar and distillery hybrid, where patrons can sip cocktails, take shots, and purchase bottles for at-home bartending.
ROXOR Spirits | Tasting room: 8202 Chancellor Row | Made by New Artisan Distillery, which was founded by James Beard awarded chef Robert Del Grande, these smooth spirits come in a bottle inspired by skyline views.
BuzzBallz | Multiple locations | You’ve likely seen this spherical cocktail in grocery stores and gas stations, but did you know that they were invented by a Texas teacher? The family-owned company is headquartered in Carrollton.
On The Rocks Premium Cocktails | Multiple retailers + online | From margaritas and espresso martinis to cosmopolitans and old fashioneds, the Dallas-based company bottle ups high-quality concoctions that only require ice.
San Antonio
Tequila
Devils River Whiskey | Tasting room: 401 E. Houston St. | Twin Liquors + online | Stop by its downtown homebase and try the Trident True which is made with Devils River Bourbon, peach, mint, and club soda.
El Perrito Tequila | Multiple retailers + online | This tequila brand offers gold + silver options and it’s also searching for its next Perrito Ambassador.
Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling | Tasting room: 4834 Whirlwind Dr. | Spec’s + online | This award-winning distillery offers tours and hosts weekly events.
Saint Maya Tequila | Total Wine & Spirits + local businesses | Get to know the business with our interview, and get a taste of its Blue Weber Agave.
Vodka
Cinco Vodka | Total Wine | Fun fact: This American wheat vodka takes five times longer to make compared to other brands.
Whiskey
Alamo Distilling Company | Tasting room: 2030 E. Houston St. | Call (845) 704-2446 or email to order | In addition to tasting room-exclusive offerings, it also has bourbon-flavored cigars.
Maverick Whiskey | Tasting room: 115 Broadway | Online | Housed in the historic former Lockwood National Bank building, Maverick Distilling offers beer products as well as whiskey.
Misc.
Artisan Distillery & Craft Bar | Tasting room: 402 Austin St. | In store | If small-batch ultra-smooth drinks is your vibe, then you’ve come to the right place.
Rebecca Creek Distillery | Tasting room: 26605 Bulverde Rd. | Online | Enjoy a wide variety of sips and find unique recipes on its website.
Seersucker Southern Style Gin | Total Wine | Choose gin flavors like grapefruit, lemonade, and limeade.
What’s your favorite local spirit to sip on? Let us know.
