Enjoyed: Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “Lone Star Old Fashioned” (“big hats, big hair, strong cocktails” said the menu notes)

Ingredients: Smoked Michter’s rye, spiced syrup, orange bitters, angostura bitters

The occasion: We spent the first part of the day exploring downtown San Antonio, from the Alamo Plaza to the Cathedral of San Fernando to the Historic Market Square to the Briscoe Museum of Western Art. We had supper reservations at the Culinary Institute of America, but we arrived in the neighborhood early enough to grab a pre-supper cocktail. The Hotel Emma was once The Pearl Brewery, and many of the brewery features remained as part of the decor, which made it even more fun.

My rating: ***** out of 5. The bar area is definitely a focal point of this “bougie” hotel, so the high-brow vibes made me cautiously optimistic, but the cocktail menu was obviously well-curated and the bartenders well-trained, and the drink was superb–orange essence followed by a hint of smokiness, then a hint of pumpkin-pie-like spices. Extra credit for the toothpick with a pearl on the end, no doubt a nod to the hotel’s location in the Pearl District.

Final thoughts: 1. Supper at the Culinary Institute of America was wonderful. The students did all the work, from making cocktails to waiting tables to cooking. The service was top-notch and our food was innovative and delicious. I wish them all well in their careers. 2. As we left the bar, we saw a crowd gathering along the river, where a young man waited with flowers. Soon, a young woman approached him. He dropped to a knee and presented a ring in a box. From our vantage point, it looked like she agreed to marry him. The crowd cheered. This is now the fourth time I have witnessed a public marriage proposal. I don’t know if I necessarily like it.