Dish & Drink KC: Celebrate Craft Cocktail Week at Atomic Cowboy and OurHouseKC

Peppermint Espresso Merrytini at OurHouseKC. // Photo by Lauren Textor

It’s the most wonderful—and stressful!—time of the year. Oscillating between last-minute shopping, wrapping presents, decorating, cooking special meals, and organizing family visits is enough to make anyone’s head spin. Take a beat for yourself and enjoy discounted cocktails at a few of KC’s hot spots from now until Dec. 17. 

Peppermint Espresso Merrytini at OurHouseKC

This is exactly the type of place you want to duck into after a day of brutal winter cold. The inside of OurHouseKC is strung with lights, and a Santa statue is positioned near the counter with a Chiefs jersey. Sitting at the bar invites friendly conversation. Although I was only there for 20 minutes, I met a new friend who recently moved to KC from Colorado. He, too, was drawn in by the craft drinks and house-smoked meats. 

The Peppermint Espresso Merrytini ($7) is half off this week. The espresso is house-made, and it’s mixed with vodka, Cindy’s Irish Cream, and peppermint-infused syrup. The glass’s rim is lined with bits of candy cane, doubling down on the peppermint flavor. After seeing mine, my new friend quickly ordered his own. 

It’s stronger than I thought it would be, but it’s not as bitter as many of the espresso martinis I’ve had before. It’s well-mixed, and no one flavor overpowers another. You can clearly taste each of the ingredients, which is something I always look for in a good cocktail. After all, what’s the point of a bunch of fancy spirits if I can hardly tell what’s in my drink? 

In this case, the Peppermint Espresso Merrytini is a win. After my first sip, I started thinking about how to replicate the cocktail for future holiday parties. I’m no bartender, but the Merrytini is simple enough—and delicious enough—to make the effort worthwhile. 

OurHouseKC is located at 1815 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111. 

The Santa Sugar Cookie at Atomic Cowboy. // Photo by Lauren Textor

The Santa Sugar Cookie at Atomic Cowboy

Atomic Cowboy combines two restaurants under one roof, making good use of Westport’s limited space. In the morning, stuff yourself with freshly baked buttermilk biscuits with Denver Biscuit Co. At night, it’s time to grab a slice and shoot some pool at Fat Sully’s. 

The casual environment and location are perfect for a night out with friends or a first date. Westport’s nightlife is concentrated enough that you can easily bar-hop and then plant yourself in a booth at Atomic Cowboy to share a pizza. 

If you’re lactose intolerant, then you might want to steer clear of Atomic Cowboy’s Santa Sugar Cookie ($6)—or pop a Lactaid. Like most holiday drinks, it’s super sweet. It combines vanilla vodka, Frangelico, and half and half with a mountain of whipped cream. The top is dusted with a fair amount of cocoa powder. It’s basically dessert. 

I prefer my drinks to be on the sweeter side, whether it’s coffee, cocktails, mocktails, or tea. The Santa Sugar Cookie more than satisfied my sugar craving.

Atomic Cowboy is located at 4144 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64111.