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arlier this summer, during the nationwide Route 66 centennial and the Texas Route 66 Festival here in Amarillo, we learned that our friends at Visit Amarillo had quietly developed something they were calling the TX 66 Boots & Brews Trail. It’s a self-guided tour of Amarillo bars, restaurants, breweries and coffee shops, and they enlisted each of them to serve a limited-time drink inspired by the Mother Road.
We wanted to try it and introduce it to our readers, but the timing of our publishing schedule and the flurry of early summer activity made that impossible. Nevertheless, we are always open to new reasons to visit familiar places, especially when they have worked to translate a century of roadside history into a refreshing drink.
Besides, any incentive to further explore Route 66 is enough for us. Here’s what you can find along the trail, from craft cocktails to local brews: (Please drink responsibly.)
1. Old Tascosa Brewery: Centennial Wit
This light, Belgian-style wheat beer comes from the good folks at Old Tascosa Brewing Company in the Historic Route 66 District. This brewery attracts a ton of travelers stopping through Amarillo, so listen closely for not-quite-Texan accents. While you’re there, enjoy trivia nights and regular live music.
2. Golden Light Cantina: Root Beer Float
This is not your granddad’s root beer float. (It’s not for kids, either.) This Route 66 twist on the classic includes root beer schnapps, whipped-cream vodka, Coke and a splash of bar cream. Stick around for live music, or feast on one of the city’s most iconic cheeseburgers next door.
3. Smokey Joe’s: Cadillac Ranch Sunset
Right across the street, grab this local twist on a Blue Hawaiian or Malibu Sunset. Smokey Joe’s colorful Caddy Cocktail blends Parrot Bay coconut rum, pineapple, cranberry and Blue Curaçao. It’s perfect for a porchside sip on Sixth.
4. El Tejavan III: Paul’s 66 Michelada
Just a few blocks west of downtown, this beloved local Mexican restaurant serves up this south-of-the-border cousin to the Bloody Mary. Crisp and fizzy, it blends Negra Modelo with fresh lime and El Tejavan’s housemade michelada mix. Thanks, Paul!
5. OHMS Cafe & Bar: Cadillac Ranch Water
Head downtown to the always reliable OHMS, where this watermelon-infused tequila drink puts a twist on regular Ranch Water. It also includes fresh lime, a splash of soda, a lovely yellow salt rim and a dash of butterfly pea tea to boost that vibrant color.
6. Toscana Italian Steakhouse: Cadillac Ranch
On the lobby floor of The Barfield, stop in for a blend of Tito’s vodka, clarified grapefruit juice, simple syrup and fizzy Prosecco. It’s served in a glass adorned with edible paint as a tribute to the Cadillac Ranch. (Just in case you’ve ever spraypainted a Cadillac and thought, “What would this taste like?” Actually, we take that back. This drink tastes way better than paint.)
7. Patio Vista at The Barfield: Neon Night Spritz
After Italian faves and scratch-made pasta at Toscana, head upstairs to The Barfield’s cozy Patio Vista. This perfectly pinkish cocktail uses Grey Whale gin, lemon oleo saccharum, lavender syrup, Fever Tree club soda and another dose of butterfly pea tea.
8. Paramount Recreation Club: King of the Road
The basement speakeasy of The Barfield is hidden behind a secret door, but there’s nothing secret about this cocktail, which features barrel-aged Still Austin whiskey, Carpano Antica Formula vermouth, decadent Luxardo Maraschino liqueur and aromatic bitters.
9. The Big Texan: Slug Bug Punch
Tourists don’t need a reason to visit this legendary steakhouse, but maybe locals do? If so, here’s one: This bold drink is inspired by the colorful, spray-painted chaos of Slug Bug Ranch on East Amarillo. It’s vibrant, playful and loud, just like The Big Texan. (Also? It’s served in a boot.)
10. Shark Beach Burgers: 66 Sunset
South of Amarillo, the city’s only sandy (sort of) beach resort is perfect for marking the end of a warm autumn day. Kick off your shoes and enjoy this peachy, refreshing sip with a burger, tots and the best of this sprawling complex’s family-friendly live music scene.
11. Yellow City Grind: Route 66 Breve
After, let’s see, 10 cocktails, you probably need something strong but absolutely not containing alcohol. Yellow City Grind has you covered in southwest Amarillo with this espresso-based beverage. It blends caramel and vanilla with a rich breve (espresso and steamed half-and-half), topped with vanilla cold foam and—why not?—a dusting of edible gold glitter.
