San Antonio’s latest luxury hotel situated along the historic River Walk offers three spots to indulge in this year’s Kinsman Brandy Alexander Tour. Cavalier, the InterContinental’s main restaurant, is an American brasserie serving classic dishes with a local twist. The Deco Bar, located in the hotel lobby, is the gold standard in glamorous and sophisticated hotel bars while High Praise offers sweeping views of the skyline while sipping on a riff of the classic Brandy Alexander brought to you by James Brown.

A Kentucky native, James has called San Antonio home for the past eight years. With an extensive background in fine dining, James was part of the opening team at the InterContinental, bringing his sharp skills and no-nonsense approach to the bar. His cocktail philosophy is refreshingly direct: "The difference between a good cocktail and a bad cocktail is 15 minutes." In his view, a drink that takes that long to make is a bad one, no matter how it tastes. This focus on efficient excellence comes from a man who prefers substance over style, often spending his free time exploring local restaurants that prioritize authentic, high-quality food over a flashy atmosphere. And for a fun fact that feels destined for a career in spirits? His second-grade class took a field trip to the Maker's Mark distillery—allegedly just to see the Christmas lights, of course. He’s also camera shy so barman Dennis Lindsey stepped in to be our model.

For this year's Tour, James wanted to create a more approachable take on the Brandy Alexander. Meet Brandy Lucille. The name is a thoughtful nod to the hotel's muse, Joan Crawford, who was born Lucille Fay LeSueur right here in San Antonio. You'll even find rooms throughout the hotel named after her films and characters. The cocktail itself is a masterclass in balanced simplicity. It features equal parts Kinsman Apricot Rakia, which lends a bright, stone-fruit essence, blended with the decadent duo of Mozart Chocolate Liqueur and Mozart White Chocolate Liqueur. The resulting cocktail is silky smooth and utterly delightful.

Don't miss your chance to taste this elegant tribute to a hometown legend. Head over to the InterContinental now through NYE to try the Brandy Lucille, a cocktail that proves great taste doesn't need to be complicated.