"When it comes to woman-owned bars with high profile accolades, it’s hard to think of a better example than Alba Huerta’s Julep on Washington Ave. The winner of a James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program, Julep specializes in cocktails with Southern roots that incorporate international ingredients. Carla Rodriguez, a Salvadoran-American bartender at Julep, is deeply passionate about her craft, creativity, and unique flavor combinations. Her journey into bartending began in 2018, inspired by her admiration for Alba Huerta, Julep’s owner, and other female bartenders in the Houston area. Carla’s signature cocktail, Flor De Higo, is a heartfelt tribute to her heritage and a celebration of her community. The cocktail blends the warm sweetness of Zacapa No. 23 Rum with spiced fig, plantain-coconut purée, lemon juice, creme de cacao, and orange bitters. A fig-glazed plantain chip garnish adds the perfect finishing touch, enhancing its rich, tropical, and indulgent flavor." - Taylor Tobin