As the Temperatures Dip, Here Are 9 Cocktails to Keep You Cozy
From velvety sips to spiced perfection, these warm drinks are as indulgent as they are inviting. Try one (or all!) of these recipes to keep you cozy throughput the season.
1. Classic Hot Toddy
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz bourbon or whiskey
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ fresh lemon (juiced)
- 1 cup hot water
- Lemon wheel and cinnamon stick for garnish
Directions:
Combine bourbon, honey, and lemon juice in a mug. Add hot water, stir, and garnish with a lemon wheel and cinnamon stick.
2. Spiked Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz peppermint schnapps
- 1 cup rich hot chocolate
- Whipped cream
- Crushed candy canes for garnish
Directions:
Prepare hot chocolate, stir in peppermint schnapps, and top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.
3. Mulled Red Wine
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle red wine (Merlot or Cabernet recommended)
- ¼ cup brandy
- 3 tbsp honey or sugar
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds
- 4 cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
Directions:
In a saucepan, combine wine, brandy, honey, and spices. Add orange slices and heat on low (do not boil). Simmer for 20 minutes and serve warm.
4. Rum-Spiked Apple Cider
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz dark rum
- 1 cup fresh apple cider
- 1 tsp brown sugar (optional)
- Cinnamon stick and apple slice for garnish
Directions:
Heat apple cider and brown sugar in a saucepan until warm. Pour into a mug, stir in rum, and garnish with a cinnamon stick and apple slice.
5. Chai Bourbon Latte
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz bourbon
- 1 cup chai latte (prepared with milk or water)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Frothed milk for topping
- Sprinkle of cinnamon
Directions:
Prepare chai latte, add bourbon and vanilla, and top with frothed milk. Sprinkle with cinnamon to finish.
6. Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
- 1 cup hot coffee
- 1 ½ oz Irish whiskey
- 1 tsp sugar
- Whipped cream for topping
Directions:
Mix hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar in a mug. Top with whipped cream.
7. Pumpkin Spice White Russian
Ingredients:
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 2 oz pumpkin spice creamer
- Ice
- Sprinkle of nutmeg
Directions:
Fill a glass with ice, add vodka and coffee liqueur, and stir. Pour in pumpkin spice creamer and sprinkle with nutmeg.
8. Hot Buttered Rum
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz dark rum
- 1 tbsp spiced butter (butter blended with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar)
- 1 cup hot water or cider
Directions:
Place spiced butter in a mug, pour in hot water or cider, and stir until melted. Add rum and stir to combine.
9. Gingerbread Hot Toddy
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz whiskey or rum
- 1 tbsp gingerbread syrup
- ½ fresh lemon (juiced)
- 1 cup hot water
- Cinnamon stick and lemon wheel for garnish
Directions:
Mix whiskey, gingerbread syrup, and lemon juice in a mug. Add hot water and stir. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and lemon wheel.
