Downstairs at Esquire Tavern, the 2016 basement addition to the James Beard nominated Esquire Tavern in San Antonio, has launched a new cocktail menu. Curated by Beverage Director, Houston Eaves, each drink of the eight-part cocktail series, named ‘San Anto Stories,’ is inspired by a tale that ties into San Antonio’s 300+ years of history. After all, The Esquire Tavern withstands the test of time after opening in 1933 to celebrate Prohibition ending. In true South Texas fashion, the drinks are packed with spirits and flavors popular to its own region as well as Mexico’s, like Ruby Red Grapefruit and Oaxacan Rum. (Downstairs at Esquire Tavern, 2019)

La Tierra De Viejitas ($12) – sun-drenched & oxidized wine, Oaxacan rum, lemon, orgeat

Slayer of Jack Harris ($12)– slayer rum blend, oloroso sherry, butter, honey, lime

Johnson’s Jumper ($12) – championship rum blend, banana, lemon, almond. The championship rum blend is composed of 8 different rums that come from Jamaica, Guyana, Martinique, Panama and the Dominican Republic.
Inspiration: Avery Johnson made the game-winning jump shot to secure the San Antonio Spurs first NBA championship in 1999. The image in the menu is as Cruz Ortiz, the artist who designed the menu, recalled watching that momentous game at the longest bar in Texas.

Battle of Bexar ($14) – high-proof tequila, madeira, aquilino’s ensamble, orange bitters

People of Reason ($14) – manzanilla sherry, pineapple, carrot eau de vie, absinthe

Pavol Real ($14) – cherry & grape brandies, coffee-fernet, lime, ranch cherry wine, egg white

Fiesta Babies ($12) – high-proof tequila, pasubio, grapefruit, pear, tonic water
Inspiration: This festive cocktail was inspired by the uptick of San Antonians born in January each year as a result of their parents’ enjoyment of the revelry of Fiesta, San Antonio’s biggest annual party, the previous April. There are entire families whose children are all born in January, and their parents lovingly refer to them as their Fiesta Babies.

Flood of 1921 ($60)
The Flood of 1921 is punch service for a group of guests. The recipe changes every week or so as Downstairs at Esquire prepares a new batch and bottle of it for service. Currently, the bar is serving a colonial-era inspired punch utilizing cognac, bourbon, rum, sherry and oleo saccharum.
Inspiration: The Flood of 1921, is the greatest disaster Antonio has faced in modern times. More than 1,000 acres city were underwater up to 12 feet deep, including the future site of The Esquire Tavern. It took the magnitude and devastation of the Flood of 1921 to spur the development and creation of what we know today as the world-famous, San Antonio River Walk.

These are just a glimpse of the stories inspiring this one-of-a-kind cocktail program. The entire ‘San Anto Stories’ is a collaboration between Downstairs at The Esquire Tavern, led by Beverage Director, Houston Eaves and San Antonio-based artist, Cruz Ortiz of Snake Hawk Press. Each menu was stained with tequila and hand silk-screened to make each their own singular piece of art.