Seven Spirits

New Austin Bar Seven Spirits Opens With Mexican Alcohol in East Austin | Eater Austin

"Located at 1411 East Seventh Street, Seven Spirits opened in late July as a counter-service bar devoted to the alcoholic spirits of Mexico. I learned that alongside popular tequila, mezcal, and sotol the menu highlights lesser-known agave and regional spirits such as raicilla (from Jalisco), bacanora (from Sonora), pox (pronounced “posh,” a whiskey-like corn-and-wheat spirit), and charanda (a rum-ish sugar‑cane spirit). Cocktails and frozen drinks make use of those spirits — examples include the Marquesita (pox with strawberries, raspberries, and clarified Greek yogurt), a tamarind Negroni with raicilla, tamarind‑Campari mix, vermouth and Chamoy, and a frozen Guava Lava with mezcal, orange liqueur, guava, lemon and lime — and there are straight-up spirit flights as well. The counter‑service food menu features Mexican dishes like nopal fries, tuna tostada, a plethora of tacos (pork belly, carne asada, fish, etc.) and tortas (including a Cuban with pork belly and ham and an eggplant option). Run by Takoba owner Jose de Loera with operations manager Peter Ponce and co-partner David Blauer, the bar was created to honor and showcase these Mexican liquors; it occupies Takoba’s former back section while the front area is not yet in use. The space also includes bar cat Neffi, and hosts events such as a mezcal tasting on Saturday, September 30 from 1 to 5 p.m.; general hours are 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday." - Nadia Chaudhury