Snow & Company, Kansas City

Regardless of the season, Snow & Company strives to transform its guests’ mouths into winter wonderlands. Its signature snow cocktails combine housemade syrups, freshly squeezed juices, and spirits into frozen elixirs whose flavors range from citrusy to spicy. The Purple Rain, for example, blends Chambord with blueberry-infused Midnight Moon moonshine and fresh milk, whereas the Rockefeller—a twist on the popular manhattan—stirs cherry-infused rye with Cinzano sweet vermouth, angostura bitters, and sugary syrup. To contrast these icy sips, Hot-Tails come warm and often topped with fresh whipped cream while the Flying Snow Squirrel soars with flavors of macadamia nut liqueur, creme de cacao, and white hot chocolate.

Though the lounge's list of libations constantly shifts, local ingredients and onsite prep remain its overarching prerogatives. This also affects the food menu, a catalog of shareable plates and sandwiches, as well as the decor, which features work by area artists. The open, chic space resembles a gallery more than a traditional restaurant, and it readily hosts group events that range from birthday parties to rehearsals for museum field trips.