The Shopping List

Austin hospitality news happens at such a breakneck pace that it's often difficult for us to cover anything else. But our bars, restaurants, and coffee shops aren't the only places to find notable potables. Our commitment to drinking local (and well) doesn't stop as soon as we hit the automatic doors, so we thought we'd offer a peek at some of the new beverage essentials in the AC Food grocery cart.

Austin Cocktails

We'll admit it. Most prepackaged cocktails sound about as appealing to us as Strawberry Hill. But we should have known that a company named Austin Cocktails would do things a little bit different. High-quality spirits are combined with real ingredients like stone and citrus fruit, house-made triple sec, and organic agave nectar in creative libations like bergamot orange margaritas and a cucumber vodka mojito. We are hooked on their new Paradise Found cocktail with tropical fruit, coconut water, and basil. Hire your bearded neighbor to pour and garnish, and you'll think you're at your favorite bar. Available at Twin Liquors.

Greater Goods Roasting

After a night out on the town, we need a serious coffee to get going again. Luckily, husband-and-wife team Trey Cobb and Khanh Trang are serious about their craft. They source the best beans from around the globe, then roast them at their facility outside Dripping Springs. The result is bright single-origin coffees like Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and luxurious espresso blends that do double duty as fundraisers for local charities. We especially love to wake up with the decadent Kickstart blend, their award-winning roast benefiting the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. Buy it at Bee Cave Coffee, Thyme & Dough in Dripping Springs, and Thom's Market.

Erva Yerba Maté

We like the energy of yerba maté, but it can taste a little too earthy. That's why we gravitate toward the contemporary flavors of local company Erva. The three blends inject herbal complexity to the mildly bitter tea base. The original mint has devotees all over town, but we like the refreshing jolt of the rosemary hibiscus. Pick up bottles at Quickie Pickie, Bee Grocery, or Fresh Plus.