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.

The Paradox
Ingredients
- 1½ 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.
Comments