
Cool down with Gelu's mangonada.
GeluAnother sweat-filled Houston summer is upon us. So every week until it hits 70, we'll tell you where to find refreshing eats and drinks to cool off in every neighborhood.
Last week, we were cooling off in the Heights with frozen margs and snow cones, and in Montrose ice cream and frozen cocktails hit the spot.
Now we're heading to downtown Houston to beat the exceptionally scorching temps this week. Here are the best places for icy refreshments in the area, from Italian ice to frozen margs and piña coladas. Welcome to the Summer of Sweat.

El Big Bad is a downtown staple.
El Big BadEl Big Bad
This downtown haunt is a dependable go-to for margaritas, but you'll find much more than fresh-squeezed lime classics here. Touting a variety of infused tequilas, El Big Bad offers margs in whimsical flavors like hibiscus, cucumber mint and churro.
Find it: 419 Travis St., Houston, TX 77002; (713) 229-8181
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-12 a.m.; Friday-Saturday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m.

Unicorn Tracks hand-scooped ice cream at Flower & Cream.
Greg Morago / Greg MoragoFlower & Cream
Find this small-batch ice cream shop inside the Post Market at the edge of downtown. Along with creative scoops like cereal milk Oreo, raspberry tres leches and pistachio baklava, guests can customize their orders with colorful cones in flavors like red velvet and matcha. Insider tip: Ice cream cones taste much better on the rooftop skylawn with sweeping views of the city.
Find it: 401 Franklin St., Houston, TX 77201 (inside the Post)
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Gelu Italian Ice
This Colorado-based Italian ice shop boasts a kiosk inside the Post. Find dairy-free, icy indulgences like a mangonada topped with sour jellies, or score scoops of creamy sorbet dressed with tajin and chamoy.
Find it: 401 Franklin St., Houston, TX 77201 (inside the Post)
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

The spotlight is on classic tiki drinks at High & Dry.
High & DryHigh & Dry
Seek solace from the heat and get on island time at this rum bar located right on Main Street in downtown. Sip on classic tiki drinks into the wee hours, or visit during the bar's daily happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. for $5 cocktails.
Find it: 306 Main St., UNIT 200, Houston, TX 77002; (713) 728-6851
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.

La Calle boasts a long list of refreshers, including margaritas de chamoy.
La CalleLa Calle Tacos
This cantina, known for authentic Mexican street eats, boasts locations in Midtown and Garden Oaks, but the downtown outpost is the original. Here, the bar serves as a lively destination to pair birria tacos with frozen margaritas, mojitos with fresh-pressed mint and spicy micheladas. Want something with extra oomph? Opt for a margarita with chamoy.
Find it: 909 Franklin St., Houston, TX 77002; (832) 735-8226
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7-2 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 9-2 a.m.

Behold the Hugorita at Hugo Ortega's Xochi.
XochiXochi
The cocktails deserve as much cred as the eats at Hugo Ortega's modern Oaxacan restaurant inside the Marriott Marquis hotel. On scorching hot summer days, Xochi ritas and mango and chile palomas wholly satisfy, and a host of other choices include red wine sangria, ranch water, a roasted fruit mojito and a Dos XX-fueled michelada.
Find it: 777 Walker St., Houston, TX 77010; (713) 400-3330
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
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