This article originally appeared in the March 2018 issue with the headline “Conversation Piece.”

Amid Sixth Street’s bluster and noise, Austin’s clandestine Midnight Cowboy (313 E. Sixth; 512-843-2715) enables civilized discourse. The reservations-only speakeasy has even themed its new menu after the art of conversation (the Icebreaker, the Awkward Pause). General manager Tacy Rowland’s recommendation, the Paradox, is a dry, bitter, and lightly smoky spring sipper. Says Rowland, “It’s an adventurous study in appealing contrasts.” Now, that’s a talker.

libation

The Paradox

The Austin speakeasy Midnight Cowboy’s updated menu, themed around the art of conversation, features a striking new cocktail.
Servings 1 person

Ingredients  

  • ounces Campari
  • 1 ounce orange juice
  • ½ ounce blended Scotch
  • 1 dash hopped grapefruit bitters
  • 2 ounces framboise lambic

Directions 

  • Shake all but lambic for four seconds with ice.
  • Strain over one large ice cube into a double-old-fashioned glass.
  • Top with lambic; stir gently to combine.