Cheers!

The 5 can't-fail spirits to gift this holiday season

Always the perfect gift.

Photo courtesy of Twin Liquors

Some seasonal gifts are just that: seasonal. But anything you buy from Twin Liquors can be enjoyed during the merry months and year-round. Plus, there's even complimentary bag-and-bow gift wrapping at all locations to make gift-gifting easy.

From the hot new-must haves to bar-top classics, here are some favorite bottles to gift and share this holiday season.

Skrewball Peanut Butter Eggnog Whiskey
This creamy, indulgent, limited-edition drink combines the festive flavors of traditional eggnog — made with 100-percent real dairy cream — with the distinctive sweetness of peanut butter whiskey, making it a perfect treat for holiday gatherings. Serve chilled over ice and garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg or a cinnamon stick for an extra festive touch.

Bailey’s Cinnamon Churros Irish Cream
This limited-edition is a tantalizing blend of smooth Irish Cream, Irish whisky, savory cinnamon, and warm vanilla notes. Each sip brings to life the taste of a golden crispy churros pastry in the velvety texture of Baileys’ classic Irish Cream, making it an irresistible indulgence for any occasion.

Brugal 1888 Gran Reserva Rum Familiar
Double-distilled and double-aged (first in American oak barrels, followed by Spanish sherry casks), this Brugal projects a light sweetness and isn't overbearingly smoky or spicy. The aging process brings out the rum's full flavor without overly complicating the taste, making it an excellent sipping rum.

Balcones Lineage Texas Single Malt Whisky
As a pioneer in the American Single Malt category, Lineage celebrates the balance of Texas provenance and Old World tradition. It features Texas-grown and malted barley aged in refill oak alongside Scottish Golden Promise malted barley. Together, these elements are refined through maturation under the intense climate of Texas.

Esterlin Brut Eclat Champagne
Comprised of 30 percent Chardonnay, 10 percent Pinot Noir, and 60 percent Pinot Meunier, this well-balanced champagne is great for every occasion. The freshness of Brut Éclat enhances appetizers and its roundness adapts to a variety of entrees. Powerful, matured aromas of fruit compote and dry fruits pair with a full and rich mouthfeel.

Want something a bit more personalized? Give a custom gift basket. Twin Liquors makes it easy to either build in-store or create a basket online. Simply select a basket and then add any wine, spirits, beer, or accessories to complete your gift.

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two days of bbq

2 Michelin-rated barbecue joints holding can't-miss pop ups in Houston

Courtesy of KG BBQ

KG BBQ is bringing its Egyptian-influenced barbecue to Houston.

Two of the Texas barbecue joints to earn Bib Gourmand recognition in the Michelin Guide will be holding pop ups in Houston this week. One is visiting from Austin, while another is a Spring favorite with a one-day-only menu.

On Saturday, December 14, Austin’s celebrated KG BBQ will be serving at Axelrad in Midtown. Part of Texas Monthly’s 2023 list of the Top 25 New and Improved BBQ Joints in Texas, KG BBQ has earned wide acclaim for pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh’s Egyptian-influenced take on Texas barbecue.

The menu will include many of KG’s most popular dishes, including brisket rice bowls with smoked Mediterranean rice; smoked lamb chops; sumac-and-cinnamon-rubbed lamb shoulder, and sides such as pink buttermilk potato salad and Baladi salad.

Service begins at 10:30 am. Preorders are available online with a minimum order of $60.

In a statement, Axelrad co-owners Adam Brackman and Monte Large say that KG will make more visits to Houston in 2025. El-Ghayesh adds that he’s a fan of the Houston bar that’s known for its spacious backyard with hammocks, a stage, and a wide-ranging menu of beer and cocktails.

“Since the moment I stepped foot in Axelrad, I loved their culture, their vibrant colors and artistic flare, their attention to detail and hospitality and love for entertainment makes this place perfect for bringing back my nostalgic memories of hosting pop-ups like how I started in Austin,” he said. “I’m proud to bring what I have created to Houston. From how diverse the city is, its beautiful variety of ethnic foods, and large Egyptian community, it has so much to offer. We are excited to serve up some Egyptian BBQ to the Houston community through our pop ups over the next year at Axelrad.”

On Sunday, Spring’s Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q will trade its usual offerings for a special menu of dishes made with smoked whole hog. The menu will include whole hog plates, whole hog sandwiches, whole hog-and-parmesan polenta cakes, and whole hog served over cheese grits with a New Orleans-style barbecue sauce as well as sides and desserts. Service will run from 11 am until everything sells out, likely sometime between 2 and 3 pm.

“The whole menu is filled with specials and cool items we don’t do everyday at the stand,” co-owner Jordan Rosemeyer writes in an email. The motive, beyond exercising some creative muscles, is to raise money for Hogs for the Cause, an annual event that raises money for pediatric brain cancer research and the families who are fighting it.

Like KG, Rosemeyer is also a member of Texas Monthly’s 2023 new and improved list. Located at 2111 Riley Fuzzel Rd., the humble trailer has earned acclaim for its weekly specials, housemade ice cream, and well executed barbecue staples.

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