This week in gluttony

Tastemaker Awards top 10 best Fort Worth food and drink events this week

CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Fort Worth 2024

The Tastemaker Awards are finally here.

Photo by Ashley Gongora

The 2026 CultureMap Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards have finally arrived, Fort Worth's tastiest and most culinarily competitive event of the year. Limited tickets are still available for the party, which takes place at a new venue this year, Social Space, located in the Near Southside. This week is busy with other festive foodie events, including Kentucky Derby parties, Cinco de Mayo happenings, and a popular rosé soiree now in its sixth year.

Wednesday, April 29

Sip & Guzzle Bar Takeover at Bowie House
A taste of New York’s cocktail culture will come to Fort Worth during a four-day residency by Sip & Guzzle, ranked number 39 of World's 50 Best Bars 2025 and number 5 in North America. Led by Sip & Guzzle’s head of research and development, Sam Morris, the bar takeover will feature a menu of three signature cocktails and one exclusive drink developed for the occasion. The experience will end with an intimate "Conversations in the Library" session on Saturday, May 2 at 2 pm ($70), where Morris will share his cocktail philosophy and the inspiration behind the residency.

30th Annual Great Taste of Grapevine
To be held at the Grapevine Vintage Railroad train depot, this sip-and-stroll tasting event will feature bites from more than a dozen Grapevine-area restaurants, bars, and wineries. Participants include Esparza’s, Mi Dia From Scratch, Winewood Grill, and more. Tickets are $55 and include all samplings plus a glass of wine. The event will run from 5:30-8:30 pm. Proceeds benefit the Women's Division of the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce school supplies program and the Christmas spirit program for local seniors.

Austin Hope Wine Dinner in The Blue Room
The Crescent Hotel’s intimate Blue Room (a nominee for the 2026 CultureMap TasteMaker Award for Restaurant of the Year) will host a three-course pairing dinner featuring Austin Hope wines, named Wine Enthusiast’s 2022 American Winery of the Year. The menu will include spaghetti chitarra cacio e pepe, dry-aged Texas sirloin with maitake mushroom, and cherry chocolate spumoni. Dinner is $175 and begins at 6:30 pm.

Thursday, April 30

2026 CultureMap Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards
Our signature tasting event and awards ceremony will take place at Social Space (205 S. Calhoun St.), bringing with it chef-driven bites and sips prepared by many of the nominees for Chef of the Year, Bar of the Year, Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year, Rising Star Chef of the Year, Dessert Program of the Year, Coffee Shop of the Year, Best Sandwich, and Best New Restaurant. See the menu here, with highlights including Wagyu tataki with tobiko caviar from Cattlemen's Steak House, tostada de atún from Dos Mares, black garlic duck from The Mont, and mini Wagyu chicken fried steak from Rex's Bar & Grill. Tickets start at $75 for general admission at 7 pm, or go VIP for $125 and get early entry at 6 pm along with a dedicated bar.

Taste of Germany & Austria Wine Dinner at Grace
It’s a rare opportunity to experience Grace chef Blaine Staniford’s take on German cuisine during this six-course pairing dinner featuring elevated German and Austrian dishes and German wines. Menu highlights include potato pancake with beet-cured arctic char; a trio of German wurst with braised cabbage and cucumbers; pork and veal dumplings; and beef cheek goulash with herbed spätzle. Dinner is $149 and begins at 6:30 pm with a welcome reception before a 7 pm seating. Call 817-877-3388 for reservations.

Friday, May 1

Cinco de Mayo at Crystal Springs Hideaway
The River District beer garden (a nominee for the CultureMap Tastemaker Award for Bar of the Year) will host four days of Cinco de Mayo specials, including $8 Soggy Peso margaritas, $6 Mexican Candy shots, and $5 steins of Dos XX and Pacifico on draft ($20 for pitchers). There’ll also be live music, with Squeezebox Bandits set for Saturday at 7 pm.

Crystal Springs Hideaway hosts several days of Cinco de Mayo specials. Crystal Springs Hideaway/Facebook

Saturday, May 2

TX Whiskey’s Down & Derby Day
Whiskey Ranch will host its annual Kentucky Derby party with live music, food truck cuisine, TX Whiskey mint juleps, and live horse racing streamed all day. The $15 ticket includes admission and a cocktail. The event will run from 2-7 pm. Derby hats encouraged.

6th Annual Rosé Soirée at Hotel Vin
Grab your rose-colored glasses for this drink pink party featuring more than 25 rosé wines. The $88 ticket (including fees) includes specialty cocktails, food pairings, and a fun sip-and-stroll format. With the annual event falling on Kentucky Derby day, Southern flair and Derby hats are encouraged. The party will run from 3-6 pm.

Kentucky Derby Party at Emilia’s
The Crescent Hotel continues its Derby Day tradition at its signature restaurant with a posh party featuring mint juleps by Still Austin Bourbon, cigar rolling, a live sketch artist, and “best hat” contest for a chance to win an overnight stay. The party will run from 4-7 pm, with the Kentucky Derby post time set for 5:57 pm. No reservations required.

Sunday, May 3

Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Artisan Circle
The second annual outdoor festival will feature stands with street tacos and elote in partnership with La Cabrona, artisan vendors, mariachi music, and ballet folklorico performances. Also take advantage of La Cabrona’s $35 Sunday brunch buffet. The free festival will take place on Crockett St. from 11 am-5 pm.

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water, water everywhere

We rate 9 sparkling waters to find a Topo Chico replacement

Photo by Eric Sandler

We purchased sparkling water at five stores across the inner loop.

Topo Chico drinkers nationwide are in a bit of a tizzy. Coca-Cola, which acquired the cult-favorite sparkling mineral water in 2017, announced that the product will be unavailable for at least the next few months.

CNN reports the shortage is due to “facility upgrades at the water source and production facilities in Mexico.”

“We are now making further investments at the source to improve source stability and quality and enable increased production, requiring us to temporarily stop production,” Coca-Cola said in a letter to CNN.

For Topo Chico fans, the shortage brings an obvious question: What should a person drink until the supply is restored? Or, what’s a permanent replacement that will avoid this issue altogether?

After collecting suggestions from people via Instagram, I went to Spec’s and grocery stores to purchase nine varieties of sparkling water with one goal in mind — find something that’s similar enough to Topo Chico that it will earn a spot in my refrigerator.

In the interests of science, I only included sparkling water brands that are similar in size (approximately 12-ounce bottles) and price (between $1 and $1.50 per bottle). Whenever possible, I purchased glass bottles instead of cans or plastic. Although many are available in flavors, I only purchased unflavored waters. All waters were chilled overnight in a refrigerator prior to tasting.

Sparkling water taste test Each water was chilled overnight prior to tasting.Photo by Eric Sandler

Not surprisingly, my top three choices came down to two other Mexican sparkling waters and a convincing dupe from H-E-B.

Most Similar to Topo Chico

Agua de Piedra
Purchased from Spec’s (can also be found at La Michocana), this water from Nuevo Leon, Mexico can be found at several restaurants and coffee shops around town. It offers both strong carbonation and just enough saltiness to satisfy a Topo craving. As long as I can source it reliably, this will be my new house water.

Mineragua
Available at both Whole Foods Market and H-E-B, this water from Jarritos is almost as carbonated as Topo Chico. Its flavor profile is salty with a slight, citrus-style acidity. I prefer the flavor of Agua de Piedra, but others may like this more.

1877 Mineral Water by H-E-B
H-E-B’s house brand sparkling mineral water is sourced from Texas, in Mineral Wells. It has carbonation that persists from opening until finishing. Its slightly salty flavor will be welcomed by Topo Chico drinkers. Overall, it’s probably the best choice for more people, since it’s so readily available.

Less Like Topo, but Still Tasty

Rambler Sparkling Water
This mineral water from Austin is available everywhere, including many restaurants and bars. Since it's only available in cans, its more mild carbonation doesn’t match Topo Chico’s; however, it has a lightly salty taste that makes it very refreshing. This is a good option for those who find Topo to be too fizzy.

Tehuacan
Purchased at Central Market, this water is sourced from springs within Citlaltépetl, Mexico’s highest mountain. The mountain’s volcanic rock gives the water a noticeable saltiness with a slightly sour taste. Although it wasn’t quite to my taste, its strong carbonation and distinct flavor could appeal to other Topo devotees.

Private Selection Sparkling Mineral Water
Available at Kroger, this water is neither as carbonated nor as salty as Topo Chico. Still, it has enough fizz and minerality to do in a pinch, particularly for people who prefer shopping at Kroger over other grocery stores.

Your Mileage May Vary

Richard’s Sparkling Rainwater
Admittedly, a non-mineral water was unlikely to emerge as a favorite in this taste test. Since it’s made with filtered rainwater, Richard’s has a very clean taste and a mild level of carbonation.

Saratoga Carbonated Spring Water
Like Richard’s, this water is too lightly carbonated and too mildly flavored to satisfy a Topo craving. Still, it’s clean and refreshing, which could appeal to non-Topo drinkers.

I’ve Had Better

Liquid Death Mountain Water (Sparkling)
Bland and flat-tasting, this water was the only one I wouldn’t purchase again. Maybe the flavored versions are better.

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