Father’s Day in Dallas feels different — when the temps soar to 95, and you’ve got the grill on standby, it feels like summer is finally here. Whether you find yourself coordinating the whole family in the backyard or taking Dad out for the night of his life, you need to have a plan to keep thirst at bay.
Celebrating Dad this June 21 requires knowledge of the best flavor profiles, eye-catching presentation, and ideal drinking temperatures to properly impress. Use this Father’s Day drink guide to build the ultimate cocktail menu this weekend, whether you’re crafting innovative drinks at home or bar hopping around Dallas-Fort Worth.
What’s Every Dad’s Favorite Drink? Let’s Pair the Cocktail with the Dad
All dads are different, and each has a preference for his drink of choice. Consider his personality when deciding how you’ll upgrade his traditional weekend beverage.
Whiskey Dad
Does he subscribe to weekly distillery release notes? You have to go with whiskey cocktails for Dad. Grab the heaviest glass you own (preferably a lowball with a thick bottom) and nestle a large ice cube inside. The cube should melt slowly so you can properly enjoy an upscale bourbon as you pour his favorite Old Fashioned or Manhattan.
Texas Dad
Got a dad that lives in boots and loves the heat? Skip past the beer and grab a clear bottle of tequila. A classic margarita cocktail with spicy seasonings on the rim or a refreshing Paloma made with grapefruit juice is just what he needs to beat the brutal North Texas sun. Consider these some of the best cocktails for Father’s Day.
Beer Dad
Not a fan of fancy drinks or anything that comes in a stemmed glass? Level up his usual cold beer. Use a local crisp lager as the base for a savory michelada with fresh lime juice, hot sauce, and a spice blend on the rim. Alternatively, you can mix it with lemonade soda to create a light and refreshing shandy for backyard enjoyment.
Outdoor Dad
Maybe Dad enjoys camping, fishing, or relaxing on the patio. The outdoorsman dad needs a cold beer — or even better, a Moscow Mule or Dark & Stormy, served in a heavy copper mug to insulate from humidity.
Non-Drinker Dad
Did we mention there are great non-alcoholic Father’s Day drinks? Just because Dad doesn’t imbibe doesn’t mean his beverage should be generic. Mocktails can have all the nuances of regular cocktails with added fruit juices and spices. From a virgin Bloody Mary topped with savory garnishes to a citrus mocktail with rosemary simple syrup, there’s a classy glass for every dad to toast with.
Easy Father’s Day Cocktail Recipes
Infuse your at-home bartending creations with local pride. Show Dad you’re putting in extra effort by using spirits distilled in Texas. Incorporating local liquors into your Father’s Day cocktails ties his drinks back to the Lone Star State. Check out three easy recipes below that you can create right in your kitchen.
Texas Old Fashioned
Deep and oaky with notes of vanilla sweetness.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Texas bourbon whiskey
- 1/4 oz smoked simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- orange peel
Difficulty: Easy
Pro Tip: Avoid using your freezer’s cube trays and instead purchase a large block of ice. This will keep his whiskey from getting watered down as quickly on a hot summer day.
Smoky, Spicy Margarita
Bright and cheerful with a touch of heat from jalapeño.
Ingredients
- 2 oz mezcal or silver tequila
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 3/4 oz agave nectar
- 2 slices fresh jalapeño
- Tajín seasoning for rim
Difficulty: Medium
Pro Tip: Add the jalapeño slices to your cocktail shaker and muddle lightly before adding liquid ingredients. This gives you control of how much spicy flavor is transferred to the margarita.
Deep Ellum Mule
Bright, bubbly, and insanely refreshing.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Texas vodka
- 4 oz quality ginger beer
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- lime wedge for garnish
Difficulty: Easy
Pro Tip: Pour your ginger beer last and gently stir to avoid losing carbonation.
Ideal Bars to Take Dad for Drinks in DFW
Heading out of the house for Dad? The Dallas-Fort Worth area is home to many diverse neighborhoods featuring Dad’s favorite beverage types. Creating your own tour of the different districts is a great way to spend time with him.
Showing Dad some sophisticated cocktails? Take him to Uptown Dallas for amazing family-friendly drink spots. Neighborhood bars around Uptown often offer Father’s Day brunch cocktail specials, complete with bottomless mimosas and cold brew beers. If Dad is more of a jeans-and-T-shirt kind of guy who enjoys local art, take a stroll through the bars in Bishop Arts District. These smaller bars focus on local draft beer and specialty spirits, perfect for slow sipping.
Love music with your beer? Bring Dad to some of the best whiskey bars in Deep Ellum. Here, you can enjoy Texas libations alongside live music from local bands. Or, drive over to Fort Worth and visit the historic Stockyards district. Watch the cattle drive go by while enjoying burgers and an ice-cold beer or whiskey highball. Up north, Frisco and Plano are quickly becoming home to the biggest gastropub tap lists and upscale patio gatherings for families of all sizes.
No matter where you end up taking Dad, just make sure to plan for ride-share or a designated driver to ensure the festivities remain safe for everyone.
Call Emergency Ice | Your Source for On-Demand Ice Needs
Hosting Dad for Father’s Day or managing a busy bar during one of the busiest weekends of the year can be stressful. When Texas summers reach triple digits, your refrigerator ice maker can’t produce enough ice to keep up with demand. Make sure you have plenty of ice before the party starts by ordering a bulk ice delivery today.
At Emergency Ice, we deliver everything from bulk ice to cocktail ice and luxury block ice. Serving both residential and commercial customers throughout North Texas, we know how important ice is to your events and business. Hosting a large backyard BBQ? We offer convenient 10-pound bags of cubed ice. Restaurant or bar owner? We will fill your bins and keep them full with automatic ice alerts. Our fast fleet of ice trucks and portable ice freezer trailers operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to ensure you have the ice you need whenever you need it. Contact Emergency Ice to learn more about our delivery services and keep your guests hydrated all summer long.
Father’s Day Drink Quiz
Which direction should you take this year? Answer the following questions to reveal your cocktail menu solution.
What does Dad love to do on Sunday afternoon?
- A.) Relaxing at home watching the game.
- B.) Tinkering in the garage or cutting the grass.
- C.) Cooking up some Texas smoke in the backyard.
What does Dad typically enjoy after dinner?
- A.) He likes his food bold, rich, and savory?
- B.) He goes for crisp flavors, like tart lemon or lime.
- C.) Dad always orders something with a kick!
Where will you be celebrating Father’s Day?
- A.) At a trendy restaurant or barbecue joint.
- B.) Backyard patio by the pool.
- C.) Kitchen island around the food Dad made.
Mostly A: Stick to famous whiskey cocktails for dad that can be enjoyed indoors.
Mostly B: Stock up on tasty non-alcoholic Father’s Day drinks or upgrade his typical beer choice.
Mostly C: Go all out on the best cocktails for Father’s Day with mezcal, jalapeño, and bold citrus ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are there any summer-friendly whiskey cocktails for dad?
Traditional favorites like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan are always great options. To customize them for summer, focus on using larger ice cubes that melt more slowly to chill the drink without watering it down.
Q. Can I pre-mix mocktails or cocktails for Father’s Day?
Absolutely. Prepare the liquid ingredients like juice, bitters, and syrups in large pitchers ahead of time. Keep refrigerated and only add the soda and ice right before guests arrive.
Q. Why does cocktail ice from a bar or restaurant take longer to melt?
Cocktail ice is created using specialized machines that force air through the water as it freezes. This results in clear ice with few bubbles and no dissolved gases. Dense ice cubes have a lower surface-area ratio, which allows them to melt more slowly than regular ice cubes.