When the snow starts falling, it’s time to put away the frosé. Even mild climates call for a warming cocktail come wintertime, and for that, we’ve got you covered. With everything from a dulce de leche hot chocolate, to a fig- and mint-scented mulled wine, this list will keep you busy until it’s time to switch back to frozen cocktails.
The Grapefruit Hot Toddy Recipe
The Grapefruit Hot Toddy is a warm cocktail that plays by its own rules. When heated in a small saucepan, grapefruit juice gives way to herbal, citrus notes that reimagine winter aromas. Stir in a half-ounce of honey, and finish with gin for a whiskey-free Hot Toddy.
The Fiery Caramel Apple Hot Toddy Recipe
This Caramel Apple Hot Toddy emulates everything you want from it — without any caramel, apple cider, or tea involved. Instead, this recipe relies on a warming mix of apple brandy and Fireball whiskey to help you cozy up, and is “arguably the most elegant way to consume Fireball.” While it has earned a reputation as a party shot, Fireball cinnamon whiskey is better than you think, as proven by this winter drink.
The Hot Buttered Amaro Recipe
If your mouth waters at the mention of “Hot Buttered Rum,” get ready for “Hot Buttered Amaro.” Created by Nicole Battle, president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild, this recipe calls for Vecchio Amaro del Capo, a bitter Calabrian liqueur. From there, you’ll need to make a batter for the cocktail — and cook down some vanilla ice cream for the batter. A mix of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and of course butter, makes this recipe the perfect reason to stay in.
The Seamstress Irish Coffee Recipe
No matter when you start celebrating, there’s no reason to forego your morning coffee. This cocktail allows you to have it all by drawing on a traditional Irish Coffee recipe and adding sweet, Demerara simple syrup. The cocktail’s creator, Pam Wiznitzer, swears by Slane triple-casked Irish Whiskey and a smooth dollop of heavy cream.
The Jameson Hot Toddy Recipe
If you’re beyond the coffee hour, this Hot Toddy will ease you into the afternoon. Jameson complements a simple mix of fresh lemon juice and honey that gets warmed with hot water and garnished with a lemon wedge. Throw in any combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and star anise for a little extra winter spice.
The Hennessy Hot Toddy Recipe
Whether you’re trying to drive the boat or just love Cognac, this Hennessy Hot Toddy is the coolest way to stay warm. Add a bag of your favorite herbal tea to steer this recipe in your preferred direction, and lay it on thick with some maple syrup. For the garnish, add a cinnamon stick or lemon wedge, and get ready to feel the heat.
The Flaming Hot Toddy Recipe
Whether you’re doing your best to entertain outdoors, or trying to enjoy a PJ night in, this Hot Toddy can help you stay a little warmer. This recipe doesn’t deviate from the classic formula, so all you’ll need is honey, lemon, herbal tea, and the cinnamon whiskey of your choice. Spitball Whiskey is a regional fave in N.Y.C. and contains 50 percent less sugar than its competitors.
The Hot Toddy
If you’re looking for a clear-cut recipe, look no further. The classic Hot Toddy requires nothing more than whiskey, honey, lemon, and hot water. Garnish with a clove-studded lemon, or serve filled to the brim in your favorite coffee mug.
The Dulce de Leche Hot Chocolate Recipe
If your stocking was stuffed anything less than to the brim with chocolate, we’ve got you covered. This cocktail elevates spiked hot chocolate with dark rum and Dulce de Leche to create the perfect dessert-driven nightcap. Top it with whipped cream or marshmallows for an extra holiday treat, then kick back and enjoy.
The Cranberry Apple Hot Toddy Recipe
Get ready to snuggle up with this warm cocktail. Begin by heating two ounces of apple juice with three ounces of cranberry juice and the liquid from half a lemon. Add honey and bourbon for a little extra spice, and garnish with an apple slice and star anise pod. This warming cocktail is the perfect substitute for Sleepytime tea, and might even use enough apple to keep the doctor away.
The Raspberry Rose Hot Toddy
Sometimes, the hardest part of making a Hot Toddy is finding the right whiskey. This recipe avoids the issue altogether by substituting gin to create a herbaceous cocktail rounded out with local honey. Combine a warm cup of raspberry rose tea (or substitute your favorite fruity loose leaf tea) with lemon juice for a perfectly floral cocktail.
The Oaxacan Ginger Toddy
The smoky mezcal in this Hot Toddy riff boosts the warming flavors in this cocktail and plays perfectly with your favorite ginger tea. An unexpected boost of heavy cream and yellow chartreuse rounds out this drink and lays the perfect groundwork for the finishing touch: a layer of freshly grated lemon zest.
The Little Nell Hot Toddy
Chamomile tea gives this cocktail a floral, warming edge, while Cognac seals the deal. Add ground anise and nutmeg to spice it up, plus a dash of honey simple syrup to soothe sore throats. Finally, garnish with a nutmeg-dusted lemon wheel for an ideal holiday treat.
Instant Pot Mulled Wine Recipe
This recipe is the perfect way to quickly transform a bottle of supermarket wine into warming grog, or to warm up your favorite red wine. Using a pressure cooker allows you to heat the entire batch in about a minute, although it’ll take a little longer to assemble all the ingredients. That said, by the time you collect all the necessary fruit, loose spices, applejack, and wine, you’ll be grateful for how quickly your Instant Pot delivers this perfect mulled wine.
Cleopatra’s Elixir of Life
When it comes to mulled wine, it’s important to experiment. While there are a ton of different recipes for the steaming red sipper, one of the most interesting is Cleopatra’s Elixir of Life. Of course, you can customize the result to be as sweet, spicy, or fragrant as you please but this recipe calls for a unique blend of sage, mint, and figs.
