38 Winter Cocktails and Hot Drinks to Warm Up With This Cold-Weather Season
At the end of a hectic year, there isn't much more we want to do than be around our nearest and dearest. And having great winter cocktails on hand doesn't hurt either.
Some of the best winter cocktails are twists on the classics, like the espresso martini or old-fashioned. And warm cocktails like mulled wine or spiked hot chocolate add a cozy factor that can't be matched, and they're so simple to make for a group of friends or family. In fact, some of the best winter cocktails and classic cocktail recipes are easy to make without any liquor at all.
After a roller coaster of a year like 2023, spending time with loved ones from the comfort (and warmth!) of our own homes with winter drinks in hand this cold-weather season is more necessary than ever before. For many of us, our preferred spot to catch up with friends and family is the same place we've spent much of the year: on the couch, under a blanket.
However, if you do plan to throw a holiday party, why not go all out and impress your guests with a complex creation from a master mixologist? Whatever your plans this season, these 38 delicious winter cocktails are guaranteed to delight. Cheers!
Mezcalum1/38Mezcalum Espresso Martini
The espresso martini still reigns as one of the most popular cocktails, and this version utilizes mezcal in lieu of vodka for an unexpected twist. Founded by the Real Housewives of New York husband-and-wife duo Erin and Abe Lichy, Mezcalum is crafted in Oaxaca, Mexico, and features less of a smoky flavor than other mezcals, so it won't compete with the rest of the ingredients.
2 oz. Mezcalum
1 oz. organic coffee liqueur
1 oz. espresso
¼ oz. agave syrup
Measure and pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake until well blended. Pour into a chilled glass and enjoy.
2/38Spicy Chocolate Orange Old-Fashioned
Think of this cocktail as those chocolate oranges you get around the holidays in drink form. Courtesy of Brown-Forman mixologist Fitz Bailey, it's a sweet and spicy choice for the season.
6 oz. Coopers' Craft Barrel Reserve Whiskey
3 oz. orange honey simple syrup
12 dashes chocolate bitters
Orange twist
Optional chili powder rim
Orange honey simple syrup: Combine 8 oz. honey and 8 oz. orange juice. Heat skillet and stir until dissolved, about two minutes. Cook an additional two minutes while stirring, then remove from heat. Allow to cool.
Stir all ingredients with ice, strain, garnish, and serve over ice cube.
Mi Campo Tequila3/38Jamaica Rosa Cocktail
Tequila, hibiscus, fresh lemon juice…are we sure this isn't a summer cocktail? Though it is refreshing, the addition of rosewater and cardamom adds a warmth that feels right this time of year.
1 ½ oz. Mi Campo Tequila Blanco
½ oz. hibiscus syrup
½ oz. rosewater
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
¼ tsp. ground cardamom
Measure and pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a spear of expressed orange peel and hibiscus.
Max Flatow4/38Ciderhouse Mule
Fans of spritzes and Moscow mules will love this hybrid bev created by Tim Sweeney, head bartender at NYC's Pebble Bar. The sparkling rosé adds that perfect bit of holiday festivity.
½ oz. ginger syrup
¾ oz. lime juice
½ oz. Chambord liqueur
1 oz. Absolut Elyx Vodka
2½ oz. sparkling rosé
Lemon wheel for garnish
Pour ginger syrup, lime juice, Chambord, vodka over five to seven cubes of ice in a cocktail shaker. Put the lid on the shaker and shake until frost begins to form (if using a tin), about seven seconds. Strain liquid into a 10–12-oz. Collins glass filled with ice. Top with sparkling rosé and garnish with a lemon wheel.
5/38The Posh One
If you're over your standard vodka cocktail, spice it up with this drink courtesy of Belvedere. The Grand Marnier and angostura bitters help balance the sweetness of the Demerara syrup and Champagne.
1 oz. Belvedere organic vodka
⅓ oz. Grand Marnier
⅓ oz. Demerara syrup
2 dashes angostura bitters
Champagne
Stir all ingredients in mixing glass over cubed ice and fine-strain into a chilled glass over block ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Crown Royal6/38Caramel Apple Cocktail
For the whiskey drinkers: Crown Royal launched limited edition Crown Royal Salted Caramel and Crown Royal Regal Apple for the season, and this seasonal cocktail features both of ’em.
¾ oz. Crown Royal Salted Caramel
1 oz. Crown Royal Regal Apple
½ oz. lemon juice
4 oz. ginger ale
Red apple slice
Pour ingredients over ice and stir. Optional: Garnish with fresh apple slices.
.jpg)
Farrah Skeiky7/38Yule Gløgg
Looking for mocktails this winter? We've got you. This zero-proof recipe, courtesy of drinks expert Derek Brown for Surely nonalcoholic wines, has all the cozy, spicy vibes of every other drink on this list with none of the buzz.
1 bottle Surely Non-Alcoholic Red Blend
1 cup Ritual Rum Alternative (optional)
1 tsp. crushed cardamom seeds
2 tsp. cloves
½ tsp. grated ginger
2 tsp. grated orange zest
2 cinnamon sticks
½ cup whole blanched almonds (optional)
½ cup seedless raisins
½ cup brown sugar
Combine the spices and zest in a sachet or folded cheesecloth that you can tie with string. Heat wine to a boil and then add the spice sack. Then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, add in sugar, raisins, and optional almonds; cook for an additional 5–10 minutes while stirring. Remove from heat, add rum alternative, and serve liquid hot in a mug, topping with almonds and raisins.
Courtesy of Sobre Mesa8/38Cremosa de Cocoa
“Cremosa de Cocoa is my favorite holiday drink at the moment,” says chef Nelson German, owner of Afro-Latino cocktail Lounge Sobre Mesa. “I do want to shout out and mention my amazing bar manager Sadé Stamps for creating it. She wanted to create something festive but staying within our Afro-Latino concept. What I love about the cocktail is the childhood memories I get of times enjoying hot chocolate during the cold NYC winters. Especially when me and my cousins would sit around during Christmas before opening gifts sipping on hot chocolate. The coolest thing, though, is the addition of guava in the cocktail. I use to eat these amazing Dominican pastries that were a stuffed—Pan de Agua—with guava jam and chocolate. The cocktail brings me there.”
2 oz. Corbin Cash Sweet Potato Liqueur
1 oz. Chairman's Reserve Spiced Rum
1 oz. red wine
8 oz. coconut milk
7–8 oz. semisweet Guittard chocolate
2 oz. marshmallow syrup
4 oz. marshmallows
1 cinnamon stick
1 pinch nutmeg
1 Tbsp. guava paste
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 allspice berries
Chocolate powder
Marshmallow syrup: In a saucepan whisk 4 oz. marshmallows with 8 oz. water over medium heat until well combined. Stir in cinnamon. Let cool before storing in the fridge. Keeps for 2 weeks.
Rum sweet cream: In a bowl, using a hand mixer or whisk, whip cold whipping cream until it starts to thicken. Add 1 oz. spiced rum and sugar, whip until just firm.
Combine coconut milk, guava paste, chocolate, marshmallow syrup, wine, allspice, and nutmeg in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until combined without allowing to boil. Remove from heat and stir in sweet potato liqueur. Strain and pour into a mug. Garnish with rum sweet cream and a sprinkle of chocolate powder.
Courtesy of Hotel Lilien9/38Smoking Gun
“We wanted to winterize our cocktail menu by marrying summer favorites, like mezcal, with warm spices that are hallmarks of colder seasons,” says Jason Marcus, owner of Hotel Lilien in Tannersville, New York. “Cinnamon and orange are classic winter flavors, and the panela syrup, made from Colombian sugar cane distilled into a hard caramel, adds richness to the coffee liqueur.”
1 oz. Ilegal Mezcal
½ oz. Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liquor
1 oz. panela syrup (a simple syrup made from Colombian sugar cane distilled into a hard caramel)
3 dashes orange bitters
3 dashes chocolate bitters
1 cinnamon stick
1 dried blood orange wheel
Use a match or lighter to ignite one end of a cinnamon stick. Place it on a plate and cover with an upside down coupe glass to extinguish the flame. Fill a mixing glass with ice, add remaining ingredients, and stir until chilled. Serve in coupe glass with the burnt cinnamon stick and a dried blood orange wheel as garnish.
Courtesy of Brand10/38Hot Buttered Bourbon
The best thing about easy winter cocktails is that they can usually be made with ingredients you already have in your kitchen. Take this recipe—you might not have the ginger spice garnish on hand, but you can mix the bourbon of your choice with some apple cider and a dollop of butter.
2½ parts Knob Creek bourbon
6 parts apple cider
Butter
Cinnamon stick
Freshly grated nutmeg
Ginger spice (optional)
Heat apple cider in a medium saucepan. Add bourbon and stir to combine. Carefully pour into a prewarmed mug. Add a dollop of butter and stir with cinnamon stick to combine. Sprinkle freshly grated nutmeg and a pinch of ginger spice on top.
Getty Images11/38Oaxaca Chakas
Many winter drink recipes can be made without the liquor for a nonalcoholic option. This one included! And if you are in a boozy mood, simply add the tequila of your choice. Pairs nicely with one of these winter movies.
2 parts Milagro Añejo
¾ parts agave nectar
1 part heavy whipping cream
2 parts milk
1 part Oaxacan chocolate powder (or cocoa powder)
Freshly whipped cream
In a saucepan over medium heat, bring all ingredients except whipped cream to a boil. Pour into a coffee cup and top with whipped cream. Garnish with a stick of cinnamon.
Chris Rue/ @chris_rue7812/38Broquito
“This recipe is an amazing cocktail made by my great friend and bartender, Chris Rue,” says Craig Samuel, chef and owner of Peaches Kitchen and Bar. “It is a play off the classic Puerto Rican holiday cocktail Coquito. He calls his version the Broquito. I usually have him make a batch for my holiday party each year, but this year I asked for the recipe. The best thing about it is that as decadent as it is, it is vegan!”
16 oz. Milkadamia Vanilla Creamer macadamia milk (oat milk can substitute)
4 oz. sweetened condensed coconut milk
15-oz. can Coco Lopez
½ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
¼ tsp. freshly grated cinnamon
¼ tsp. vanilla extract
½ cup Barbancourt white rum
¼ cup cognac (brandy will do just fine)
Combine all ingredients. You can also omit the liquor for a nonalcoholic version, or swap the rum for one of your choice.
Store in the fridge and serve in a collins glass over ice. Use a microplane to shave a light dusting of nutmeg on top of each one.
Montrose Digital Archive13/38Almond Toffee Martini
Yes, winter vodka cocktails are just as popular this time of year as bourbon or rum. This easy martini combines the year-round favorite liquor with nondairy milk.
1 oz. Almond Breeze almond milk
1 oz. crème de cacao
1 oz. butterscotch liqueur
1 oz. vodka
Fill a shaker halfway with ice. Pour in almond milk (or nondairy milk of your choice), crème de cacao, butterscotch liqueur, and vodka. Cover and shake well. Strain into a martini glass and serve. For a sweet garnish, dip empty glass into almond milk and then either cocoa powder or sugar crystals to coat rim. Pour in liquid.
Courtesy of Brand14/38Mulled Gin Punch
Created by bartender Nick Strangeway, this gin punch is one of the best winter cocktails recipes to make if you're hosting a party—just increase the ingredients to match the number of guests you've invited.
1 part Beefeater 24 gin
2 parts full-bodied red wine
1 tsp. honey
Orange slice
Lemon slice
Orange peel studded with several cloves (for garnish and flavor)
1 cinnamon stick
Heat all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer until honey has dissolved. Pour into a toddy glass and drink while warm.
Henry Hargreaves15/38Wellness Hot Toddy
“We like this drink because it's a mix of naughty and nice,” says Kate Waldron over at American Mediterranean bistro Jack’s Wife Freda. “You can keep it healthy and make it without the liquor or you can spice it up a notch and add some booze.”
2 oz. bourbon (optional)
1 oz. honey syrup
8 oz. hot water
4 dashes cayenne pepper
2 star anise
3 pieces ginger (muddled gently)
Add all ingredients into a pot and bring to a boil. Remove and serve.
_20210208_441.jpg)
Courtesy the Urban Cowboy Lounge16/38Montenegro Hot Toddy
Or try a more indulgent take on the hot toddy. “The Lodge's Montenegro Hot Toddy is made from a special house blend of spirits, but bourbon, sherry, and of course Amaro Montenegro are key in creating this winter favorite,” says Harry McNamara, beverage director at the Urban Cowboy Lodge in New York. “Finished with a dollop of homemade whipped cream for an unbelievable texture, this hot toddy is a perfect fireside choice for a snowy day in the Catskills.”
1 oz. Amaro Montenegro
1 oz. Old Forester Bourbon
¼ oz. Laird's Apple Brandy
½ oz. Lustau East India Solera Sherry
1 dash angostura bitters
2 oz. water
¼ oz. cinnamon syrup
¼ oz. lemon juice
Combine all ingredients excluding cinnamon syrup and lemon juice, and heat to near boiling. In a mug, add cinnamon syrup and lemon juice, then pour the heated mixture into the mug. Top with a tiny dollop of whipped cream, an orange star, and shave fresh nutmeg over top.
Courtesy of Cazadores Tequila17/38Hot Apple and Orange Toddy
Can you tell we love a hot cocktails in the winter? Especially a ginger-forward version. “The aromatic spicy notes of ginger complement the sweetness of the apples and blood orange,” says Cazadores Tequila brand ambassador Manny Hinojosa of this cold-weather cocktail. “This truly is winter in a glass.”
1 oz. Tequila Cazadores Reposado
½ oz. blood orange puree
1 package of apple cider
5 oz. hot water
2 star anise
In a mug combine apple cider, hot water, blood orange, and mix well. Add the rest of the ingredients and garnish with orange peel.
Courtesy Alfred Girard Whisky18/38French Whiskey 75
“A few principles I like to adhere to when creating cocktails: (1) Use good stuff. (2) Less is more. (3) Don’t forget to have fun,” says Jon Kraus, head bartender at Peak in New York City. That's the approach he used when creating a less-is-more twist on the classic French 75. “We employ a neat trick here by infusing the whiskey with fruit—it may not be immediately perceptible by itself, but the whiskey will extract and carry all this extra flavor with it when added into the Champagne. Have a sip and remember to eat the fruit. It will burst with pear.”
1 cup diced, ripe pear
1 cup Alfred Giraud Heritage whiskey
1 glass Champagne
For fruit-infused whiskey: Steep pear in whiskey overnight. (Two days is even better.) Store in a cool, dark place and shake to mix occasionally. When straining, give the fruit a gentle press to extract all the liquor. Makes about 10 servings.
For the cocktail: Add ¾ ounce of the fruit-infused whiskey to a Champagne glass. Fill to top with Champagne. Top with remaining pear, cut into star shapes.
Montrose Digital Archive19/38Peppermint Cream
If you're looking for low-calorie cocktails…this list is not that. Because the truth is that some of the best winter alcoholic drinks are inspired by the season's sweet treats, like this Peppermint Cream from Haven Rooftop.
1½ oz. Baileys Irish Cream
2 oz. hot chocolate
½ oz. crème de cacao
½ oz. crème de menthe
Whipped cream (for garnish)
Candy cane (for garnish)
Mix all ingredients in a mug and top with whipped cream and candy cane for garnish.
Courtesy of Brand20/38Bourbon Cider Sipper
All cold-weather drinks don't have to be served hot. See: This recipe from former Cooking Channel hosts Ali Ward and Georgia Hardstark.
1 cup light brown sugar
1 Tbsp. whole cloves
1½ oz. bourbon
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
½ oz. clove simple syrup
1½ oz. hard apple cider
Apple slice studded with a few whole cloves, for garnish (optional).
For clove simple syrup: Combine brown sugar, cloves, and 1 cup water in a pan and heat until sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool and sit 2 to 3 hours; strain cloves before using. (Store any remaining syrup in a sealed jar, refrigerated, for up to 1 week.)
For cocktail: Add bourbon, lemon juice, and clove simple syrup to a shaker, add ice, and shake vigorously. Pour into a highball glass, top with hard cider, and—and if you're feeling fancy—garnish with an apple slice studded with a few whole cloves.
Courtesy of Brand21/38El Dorado Hot Chocolate
Rum cocktails hit different in winter. Try this hot chocolate shot and see for yourself.
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup water, plus 2 Tbsp.
8 oz. finely chopped semisweet or milk chocolate
6 cups milk
6 oz. cinnamon-flavored liqueur, such as Goldschläger
3 oz. golden rum
Stir sugar and 2 Tbsp. water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Uncover and continue to cook, gently swirling pan until sugar is a dark golden caramel (around 7 to 10 minutes; it should smell slightly burnt). Pull pan from heat and carefully pour ¼ cup water into caramel (it may splatter, so stand back). Whisk until smooth and allow to cool. When ready to serve, put 3 Tbsp. each of burnt caramel into four mugs and top evenly with chopped chocolate. Bring milk to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Pull pan from heat and add Goldschläger and rum; pour over chocolate. Serve with a spoon for stirring layers together.
Courtesy of Brand22/38Baileys Glamour Shot
When we said we'd show you how to make easy winter cocktails, we meant it. This shot only requires two ingredients—three, if you're feeling extra.
1 oz. Baileys vanilla cinnamon liqueur
½ oz. Goldschläger cinnamon schnapps
Edible gold flakes to rim glass (optional)
Combine Baileys and Goldschläger in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain contents into a chilled shot glass rimmed with edible gold flakes.
.jpeg)
Henry Hargreaves23/38Spiked Hot Cocoa
Another tasty (and super-easy) recipe from the folks at Jack's Wife Freda.
2 oz. rum
8 oz. steamed milk (your choice)
1 tsp. chocolate syrup
Topped with whipped cream (optional)
Add steamed milk and chocolate syrup to a medium saucepan. Remove from heat, stir in rum, and top off with the whipped cream. Enjoy!
Montrose Digital Archive24/38White Russian
Warm alcohol drinks aren't for everyone. This twist on the classic winter drink is as chilled as it gets.
1 part RumChata
1 part Kahlua
1 part vodka
1 part milk or cream
Combine all ingredients in a glass over ice and serve.
Laws Whiskey House25/38Four Grain Hot Apple Cider
“I've worked as a part-time tour guide at Laws Whiskey House for the past couple of years and loved creating this hot apple cider cocktail with their flagship four-grain bourbon,” says K.Z. Mendoza, brand ambassador for the Denver-based distillery. “I like to enjoy this cocktail near the fire after a day on the slopes. It’s the perfect drink to warm you up.”
1.5 oz. Laws Whiskey House Four Grain bourbon
4 oz. apple cider
½ oz. cinnamon simple syrup
½ oz. Licor 43
3 dashes cardamom bitters
Combine all ingredients in a mug, except the apple cider. Heat up the apple cider separately, and then add to the mug and stir before serving.
Courtesy of Brand26/38Hot Velvet
So many winter cocktails are just twists on spiked hot chocolate—and yet we can't get enough of them.
1 part Cruzan Velvet Cinn horchata with rum
1 part Cruzan Estate Diamond dark rum
2 parts hot chocolate (rich sweetened cocoa recommended)
1 pinch chili powder
1 pinch salt
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and whisk briskly while warming over medium heat. Pour into a glass and garnish with grated cinnamon.
- tycoon75127/38
Madagascar
“Here is a great recipe for a winter warmer,” says Austin Baker, executive chef at the restaurant Saraghina. “It's a riff on a Painkiller and I call it a Madagascar. The recipe makes for two strong cocktails.”
1½ oz. Matusalem Amber rum
½ oz. Smith & Cross
2 oz. pineapple juice
1 oz. orange juice
1 oz. Coco Lopez
¼ oz. sherry (amontillado)
2 oz. water
Combine and heat on stove, in microwave, or with a steamer on an espresso machine. Split between two glasses and top with grated nutmeg and cinnamon.
@Mattmiscostudios.28/38Apple Cider Manhattan
“When I was growing up, my dad had an apple tree in our backyard, and he always made homemade apple cider,” says Julian Rodarte, executive chef and the bar chef of Beto & Son in Dallas. “It became a tradition in my family every year, around this time. As I got older, I wanted to combine some of my most memorable holiday traditions with my favorite spirits…. The natural sweetness of the apples pair so beautifully with the richness of the oak-aged Villa One Anejo.”
2 oz. Villa One Añejo
¾ oz. apple cider
½ oz. sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 dash orange bitters
Add all ingredients to a bar beaker with ice and stir for 20 seconds. Strain out cocktail into a coupe glass and serve up. Garnish with apple slices.
- bhofack229/38
CC Club
“Few things go together better than Irish whiskey and apple,” says Kevin Denton Rex, head of mixology and education at Pernod Ricard. “This seemingly simple cocktail is bursting with orchard flavors. It’s a snap to prepare when coming in from the cold.”
1½ parts Green Spot Irish whiskey
5 parts apple cider
½ parts Cointreau
Gently warm ingredients. Pour into a glass mug and garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange wheel or apple slice.
Courtesy of Toca Madera30/38Agua Fresca
“The agua fresca is a beautiful cocktail using flavor mixtures you see coming from various parts of Mexico, infusing tropical fruits with baking spices, chocolate, or, in this case, canela,” says Charity Johnston, Toca Madera VP of operations. “We usually don’t think vodka cocktails for winter, but this winter one has all the right bites! The agua fresca's pineapple-orange flavors incorporated with our homemade cinnamon syrup is refreshing and perfect for the season. My favorite piece would be the brûléed pineapple on top, which really makes it feel perfect for the winter yet still tropical and refreshing.”
2 oz. Ketel One vodka
1 oz. coconut water
1 oz. canela (cinnamon) syrup
1 oz. lemon juice
Pineapple
Combine vodka, coconut water, lemon juice, and syrup with ice. Top with pineapple.
Courtesy of La Quinta Resort31/38The Thin Mint
“For our festive Thin Mint cocktail, we’ve incorporated two classic flavors: rich, velvety chocolate and refreshing, creamy mint,” says Brian Dewberry, head bartender and lounge supervisor at La Quinta Resort & Club's dining lounge Morgan's in the Desert. “The chilled cocktail is surprisingly light and is the perfect postdinner digestif when you are looking for something sweet but not too heavy, especially after an indulgent holiday feast.”
2 oz. Godiva chocolate liqueur
1 oz. crème de menthe
Whipped cream
Semisweet dark chocolate sauce
Drizzle chocolate in a martini glass. Combine chocolate liqueur, crème de menthe, and whipped cream (to thicken) and serve on the rocks.
El Tequileño32/38Abuelita’s Hot Chocolate
“This is my favorite drink to warm up with on a bitter-cold afternoon,” says Steffin Oghene, El Tequileño's VP of business development. “We took a traditional Mexican hot chocolate recipe and gave it a boozy kick. The combination of silky chocolate and aromatic spice creates the perfect sweet and savory flavor.”
2 oz. El Tequileño Reposado Gran Reserva
3 oz. Abuelita hot chocolate
¼ oz. Ancho Reyes liqueur
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Combine all ingredients in a temperature-resistant mixing glass, and serve hot in a traditional Mexican pottery cup. Garnish with cinnamon stick and chile de árbol.
Pixel Pro Media33/38Fig Tonic
Cheers to the new year with this Prosecco cocktail.
1 part Della Vite DOC
1 part fig cordial or syrup
1 part tonic
Grapefruit
Combine all ingredients except grapefruit and serve over ice. Garnish with a grapefruit slice.
Nomi Park34/38Coco’s Cocoa
“I love this drink because it combines all my favorite winter things: chocolate, warm spices, and bourbon,” says Ashley Masterson, food and beverage manager at Nomi Park at The Wayfinder Hotel in Newport, Rhode Island. “The kick of cayenne makes this hot chocolate unique and delicious.”
2 qt. heavy cream
1 qt. Hershey’s chocolate
½ qt. water
½ qt. brown sugar
2 tsp. cayenne
2 tsp. ground allspice
8 cinnamon sticks
1½ oz. bourbon
For the cocoa: In a pot, combine all ingredients except bourbon and cook for 45 minutes at medium heat.
For the cocktail: In a mug, add bourbon and 6 to 8 oz. cocoa. Garnish with whipped cream, shaved chocolate, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Courtesy of Madam George35/38Nuts 4 Nuts
If you've ever been to New York City, then you know the delicious aroma that comes from the prevalent Nuts 4 Nuts street carts. “This Manhattan riff is perfect for winter because the aromatics from the local honey-roasted street nuts will transport you to Christmas in NYC,” says Marshall Minaya, beverage director of Madame George. “Think snow falling, Rockefeller center lit up, and chains covering bus tires—a little bit of grit.”
1½ oz. Nuts 4 Nuts–washed Iichiko Saiten
½ oz. Myris nutmeg liqueur
½ oz. Carpano Antica formula
½ oz. China China liqueur
To fat-wash Iichiko Saiten shochu with Nuts4Nuts (or heated honey-roasted nuts of your choice): Add warm nuts to spirit at room temperature. Let sit for a few hours, then chill in fridge or freezer until fat solidifies and can be easily skimmed off.
To make cocktail: Add all ingredients to a chilled double rocks glass, then slowly lower big 2-inch cube of ice into glass. Stir to proper dilution. Garnish with a lime twist and grated roasted nuts.
.jpg)
Courtesy of the Apparatus Room36/38Lodge Chaud
“I created the Lodge Chaud as the ideal boozy hot chocolate cocktail that brings a modern yet nostalgic take to the comfort beverage, taking the traditional flavor palette to the next level,” says Desmond Oliver, food and beverage manager of the Detroit Foundation Hotel. “The small-batch, Teeling Irish Whiskey provides the cocktail with a smooth base with notes of vanilla and warming spices, perfect for the season. The caramel notes from the Amaro Averna shine through to help balance the sweetness of the steamed chocolate milk and the peppery mint from the Chartreuse Green. This cocktail is ideal for making memories with loved ones around the fireplace.”
1 oz. Teeling Small Batch
½ oz. Chartreuse Green
½ oz. Amaro Averna
4 oz. steamed chocolate milk (we use Guernsey Farms Dairy)
Add all ingredients to a mug or tulip glass, then stir. Garnish with whipped cream and grated nutmeg.
Courtesy Gin Lane Bar37/38The Granite Street Sour
This isn't an easy drink to make, but it is guaranteed to impress any holiday party guests who love winter gin cocktails. “Named after a street not too far from our bar, The Granite Street Sour is an homage to the rich granite history of this region,” says Sam Nelis, bar director at Gin Lane Bar in Montpelier, Vermont. “This cocktail is a play on the contemporary classic Trinidad Sour. We use our barrel-aged Tom Cat Gin made with raw honey. Going beyond the dash, Angostura bitters can be used as a spirit too! Its flavors scream winter with its strong notes of cinnamon, clove, and other baking spices. Orgeat is a nut-based syrup, and we use the more sustainable pecan versus the original almond. This cocktail boasts warm, comforting notes—creamy vanilla, oak, and roasted pecan, accented with the wintry spice of the Angostura bitters. These flavors pair so well together we should write them down in stone. Granite stone, of course.”
1 oz. Tom Cat Gin
1 oz. Angostura bitters
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 oz. pecan orgeat
Ingredients for the pecan orgeat:
226 g pecans (or other nut)
742 g demerara sugar (or raw sugar)
3⅓ cups water
9 g cinnamon sticks
¼ g star anise
1 g whole cloves
8 g ground allspice
¼ tsp. rosewater (⅙ oz)
¼ tsp. orange flower water
¼ oz. cognac
Method for pecan orgeat: Roast nuts and the spices in the oven till golden brown. Do not burn them. Let cool a bit. Pulse in a food processor; you want a variation of larger chunks and powder and everything in between. Mix with sugar in a pot and add water. Heat gradually to a simmer, simmer for 10 minutes. Stir the whole time. Let cool and sit overnight. Strain through a cheesecloth or lay a cheesecloth out over a perforated flat pan with another pan to catch the drippings. Add the rosewater, orange flower water, and cognac at the end. Keep refrigerated.
To make cocktail: Add all ingredients into a cooled shaker, shake for about 30 seconds, pour into a coupe glass.
Courtesy of The Shanty38/38Brooklyn Fog
Tea isn't as common for hot drinks with alcohol as, say, coffee or hot chocolate. But why? It's so tasty. “The Brooklyn Fog is our play on the famed tea drink, London Fog,” says Marissa Mazzotta, bar manager of The Shanty in Brooklyn. "A healthy pour of gin complements the soothing vanilla syrup with a welcome punch of juniper. The lavender ties the herbal drink together, culminating in a pleasing, classic warm gin drink.”
1½ oz. Perry's Tot Gin
¼ oz. lemon juice
¾ oz. vanilla simple syrup
1 oz. lavender oat infusion milk
1 ½ oz. Earl Grey tea
To make the lavender oat infusion milk: Combine 1 oz. dried lavender flower with 16 oz. oat milk. Leave for two hours, then strain flower out before using.
Cocktail: Combine all ingredients, then pour into a frother. Serve in warmed/room temperature coup glass.
Still not inspired? Try one of these Christmas cocktails instead.
