3 of the Hottest Cocktails in Dallas... and How You Can Make Them at Home

Cocktail Builder’s travel series is back on the road. The routine hasn’t changed: find a city’s most exciting new bars, order their signature pours, then reverse-engineer the recipes so they work on a home bar. Our next stop: Dallas/Fort Worth, home of 18 of the richest people in America, one of the busiest airports in the world, and the largest game of Twister ever played. As they say, everything’s bigger in Texas, and their cocktail culture is no exception.

Whiskey Smash From FT33 chef Matt McCallister comes Filament, a Deep Ellum location open since the end of 2015. Managing partner Jeff Gregory oversees a whiskey-centric cocktail program that pairs well with McCallister’s menu of Southern favorites. Our personal favorite is the Whiskey Smash, a stellar combination of bourbon, lemon, and mint. The recipe is so simple and yet perfectly balanced — just right for that person who thinks they don’t like whiskey. See recipe

Aggie Pick Me Up As the newest addition to the Harwood District, Happiest Hour lives up to its name. The destination boasts freshly pressed cocktails, food for every craving, and the largest patio bar in Dallas. We highly recommend the Aggie Pick Me Up, a potent take on a strawberry margarita made with chocolate and chili-flavored tequila. If you ask us, it’s the only dessert you’ll need. See recipe

Passionfruit Mezcal Mule Located above Japanese restaurant Uchi in Uptown Dallas, Top Knot is a happy-go-lucky haunt for those looking for a laidback vibe. The cocktail menu is pared down but definitely not boring, thanks to bold and unexpected combinations. Made with mezcal, passionfruit, and cucumber, their smoky take on a Moscow Mule is definitely one for the books. See recipe

Dallas’s craft cocktail scene has matured into something genuinely impressive, with bartenders who treat whiskey, mezcal, and tequila with the same respect you’d find in New York or LA. If these drinks have you inspired to make something similar at home, Cocktail Builder has recipes for whiskey smashes, mezcal mules, and everything in between.

Last modified on July 3, 2026