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    Cocktail Classes

    Sip 'n' learn: Can't-miss cocktail classes and tastings for a spirited good time

    Eric Sandler
    Jan 8, 2014 | 1:46 pm

    Houston's bartenders are conspiring to undermine people's New Year's resolutions to drink less with a series of classes, pop-ups and events that are too good to miss. Maybe that resolution shouldn't be to drink less so much as it should be to drink better. Give up the macro brews and well liquors for tastier options. Now that's a resolution worth keeping.

     

     Learn It

     

    Want to know more about alcohol or taste some rare spirits? Anvil co-owner Bobby Heugel and beverage director Alba Huerta are reviving Anvil's popular classes at downtown agave bar The Pastry War. The first class, which is all about American whiskey, will be held Jan. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. For $55, attendees will learn the history of the spirit, taste cocktails and learn to make their own drinks. Participants leave with new knowledge and a host of recipes sure to impress friends and family. Tickets are available at Anvil and The Pastry War; attendance is limited to 60, so act fast.

     

    Overwhelmed by the number of tequilas on the menu at The Pastry War? Tired of just ordering the house margarita? Every other Tuesday, Heugel and Huerta will lead guests through an hour-and-a-half long tasting of tequila, mezcal and other agave spirits. Tickets are also $55, but these events are capped at 12. The next tasting is Jan. 21. Purchase a seat at The Pastry War, 310 Main St.

     

    "I always looked forward to cocktail class afternoons," Heugel said in a statement. "These classes and tastings are a fun way to educate our customers on the booze we love—especially since so many amazing new spirits have recently hit the Texas market. It’s exciting to give our guests the tools and knowledge to create drinks for themselves at home."

     

     Sip It

     

     Triniti has always had an interesting cocktail program, but the quality has gotten even better thanks to the recent arrival of Laurie Sheddan. Now she's turning over the bar to a few industry friends for a series of guest bartender nights.

     

    Starting Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. and continuing every Tuesday through Feb. 18, a different guest bartender will offer a menu of $10 cocktails, and all tips will be donated to a charity of the person's choice. Triniti will match the tips up to $1,000 to double the donation. Participating bartenders include Brandon Ricks (Bad News Bar, Jan. 14), Chip Hight (William Grant & Sons, Jan. 28) and James Watkins (Cordua Restaurants, Feb. 18).

     

     Watch It

     

     Alamo Drafthouse has always understood that a little booze makes watching a movie more fun, but, until now, the selections have been limited to beer and wine. The movie theater chain will add cocktails starting Jan. 17. In addition to a standard list of classics, there will be seasonal offerings and a few drinks inspired by movies, such as White Russians during a screening of The Big Lebowski.

     

     Visit It

     

    Both Austin and San Antonio are holding top-tier cocktail events this month, and serious aficionados may want to consider hitting one or both. On Jan. 15, bartenders from across Texas will compete in the annual Speed Rack competition that raises money for various breast cancer causes. Houstonians competing in the timed event that challenges female bartenders to make drinks as quickly and accurately as possible include Sheridan Fay (El Gran Malo), Julie Lorenzo (The Pastry War) and Julie Rogers (Down House).

     

    From Jan. 16 - 19, San Antonio hosts its annual cocktail conference. It's a mini (well, as mini as anything that happens in Texas) version of New Orleans' annual Tales of the Cocktail conference, with a full slate of classes, events and tastings. Among the highlights: Friday night's Texas Spirits Nights event highlights 11 in-state producers and Saturday night's Stroll on Houston Street brings together food, drinks and lots of live music.

     

    Obviously, no one at CultureMap encourages drinking and driving, but sometimes you have to drive before drinking; park the car at the hotel and take a cab to the events.

    Alba Huerta will host cocktail classes with Bobby Heugel at The Pastry War and serve as one of the judges at Speed Rack in Austin.

    Bottom's Up, Anvil, Alba Huerta
      
    Photo by Joel Luks
    Alba Huerta will host cocktail classes with Bobby Heugel at The Pastry War and serve as one of the judges at Speed Rack in Austin.
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    Matcha News

    TikTok star Keith Lee crafts matcha latte for Hill Country flood relief

    Teresa Gubbins
    Jul 11, 2025 | 9:30 am
    Keith Lee and matcha drink
    Instagram
    Keith Lee hoists his special matcha drink.

    The devastating floods that swept across Central Texas on July 4 are bringing out all kinds of charitable endeavors — and that includes a limited-edition beverage from Texas-based TikTok food influencer Keith Lee.

    Lee, a social media sensation whose online food reviews have benefited hundreds of small restaurants, is partnering with La La Land Kind Cafe on a special drink: Called the La La Land X Keith Lee Latte, it's a matcha drink in which 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards Kerr County flood relief.

    La La Land is the coffee chain founded in Dallas in 2019 with a mission to provide opportunities for fostering youth and individuals in need. It has three locations in Houston, along with 10 across Dallas-Fort Worth and six in Southern California.

    The new Keith Lee Latte will consist of double ceremonial matcha, with secret syrup, matcha cloud, a whole fresh strawberry, flaky salt, and matcha powder. (See Lee enjoy the latte in the video below.)


      
     
     
     
     
     
     
    View this post on Instagram
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    A post shared by Keith Lee (@keith_lee125)
     


    Matcha is the Japanese green tea powder that has experienced a surge in popularity, appearing in everything from drinks like the matcha latte to desserts like matcha mousse.

     Keith Lee Latte Keith Lee Latte is a matcha drink.Instagram 

    Lee, who relocated to Dallas in 2024, has been on a matcha kick ever since he tried it in Chicago, which he says "led me down a rabbit hole," and it has become his trademark drink. In May, he visited seven cafes across DFW in search of the perfect matcha in town, and that included La La Land, where he ordered a matcha with almond milk.

    He also has a charitable history, including a special visit he made to Taste Project in Fort Worth to donate $4,000 to support the nonprofit's mission to fight food insecurity.

    The Keith Lee Latte will be available at all La La Land cafes beginning Friday July 11, for a limited time only. From July 11-27, 100 percent of all proceeds will support flood relief efforts in Kerr County — "a community in our home state that’s hurting," La La Land Cafe says.

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