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The Grown-Up Molten chocolate cake comes with a sidecar of Skrewball peanut butter whiskey .

Chili ’ s Presidente Margarita , with Lunazul reposado tequila , Citrónge orange liqueur and E & J brandy , is a top seller .

Chili ’ s , the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International , this past September unveiled a brand-new Happy Hour and drink menu exclusively available at the restaurant bars . What ’ s more , whenever football is on , the Happy Hour promotions are on at Chili ’ s , with offers subject to local requirements .

“ We saw an opportunity with our bar in particular what was underutilized ,” says George Felix , Chili ’ s chief marketing officer . A new Happy Hour was a way to invite guests back into Chili ’ s , he notes , and the brand wanted to anchor it behind a known event : football . “ We wanted to make the bar a destination .”

This is the first time Chili ’ s has released a new Happy Hour bar menu , Felix says . Visitors to Chili ’ s bar during any football game time will find specials such as a 16-oz . Bud Light for as low as $ 3 , a 16-oz . Modelo as low as $ 4 , and some of the specialty Margaritas for $ 6 .

New bar bites include White Queso Curly Fries , served with a side of house-made ranch and the option to load them up with bacon and jalapeños ; and the Chili ’ s Philly , premium thinly sliced steak , grilled bell peppers and onions , jalapeños and white queso served on a toasted buttery roll . Nine bold wing flavors , from the House BBQ to spicy Mango Habanero , are all served with a side of curly fries and house ranch . And a new dessert , the Grown-Up Molten , is the fan-favorite Molten Chocolate Cake served with a sidecar of Skrewball peanut butter whiskey .

Chili ’ s is offering shots for the first time ever , including the Lemon Drop ( Deep Eddy lemon vodka , simple syrup and lemon ); and Green Tea ( Jameson Irish whiskey , peach schnapps and lemon sour , topped with Sprite ).

SERVING UP SHOTS AND RANCH WATER Somewhat surprisingly , Chili ’ s has never offered shots or even had shot glasses in its restaurants . It does now , as part of the new Happy Hour offering .

The specialty shooters include the PB & J ( made with Skrewball and Chambord black raspberry liqueur ); Lemon Drop ( Deep Eddy lemon vodka shaken with simple syrup and lemon ); and Green Tea ( Jameson Irish whiskey shaken with peach schnapps and lemon sour , topped with Sprite ).

Chili ’ s , which says it ’ s the largest distributor of tequila and Margaritas in the restaurant industry , has also rolled out a new tequila drink offering : Ranch Water . The simple beverage — tequila , sparkling water and a squeeze of fresh lime — has been catching on in major markets across the U . S .

It ’ s not just that it ’ s a trending tequila cocktail , however . Ranch Water , a favorite of cattle ranchers , appealed to Chili ’ s because it has its roots in Texas , “ and we ’ re a Texas brand ,”

As a Texas brand ,

Chili ’ s aims to introduce the rest of the country to

Ranch Water .

18 • Winter 2022 www . cheersonline . com