The Chilton is the signature drink of Lubbock.
After checking into the retro-vibed Cotton Court Hotel in Lubbock a few weeks ago, I got right into the spirit of things with the Texas city’s signature drink – the Chilton.
As the story goes, a Lubbock local known only as Dr. Chilton wanted a drink during a visit to the local country club. He asked the bartender to stir up some vodka and club soda, squeeze in a bunch of lemon juice, and serve it over ice in a glass with a salted rim.
Related: When in Lubbock, visit Prairie Dog Town
My hosts had thoughtfully left me all the ingredients to make one myself. And it turns out the drink – which tasted like a mashup of lemonade and a margarita, with some fizz tossed in for good measure, goes down great on a hot Texas day.
Bars and restaurants all over the West Texas city serve the cocktail, which has been featured in magazines such as Southern Living and Texas Monthly.
Ingredients (makes one):
1 ½ oz. vodka
Topo Chico
Juice of one lemon
Ice
Directions: Rim a highball glass with salt, then fill with ice. Add vodka and lemon juice. Fill the glass with club soda and stir. Garnish with a lemon wheel or wedge.
