Winter’s Warmest Cocktails: Cozy Drinks to Keep the Cold at Bay
As the temperature drops, nothing feels better than a drink that warms you from the inside out. Whether you’re looking for a steaming mug of comfort or a cocktail infused with warming spices, winter is the perfect season to savor these cozy creations. From classic hot chocolates to ginger- and cinnamon-spiced wonders, here are some of the best warming cocktails to keep the chill away this season.
Hot Cocktails to Sip by the Fire
1. Classic Spiked Hot Chocolate
Rich and decadent, hot chocolate becomes even more luxurious with a splash of spirits.
Ingredients: 2 oz dark rum or bourbon, 1 cup hot cocoa, whipped cream, chocolate shavings
Instructions: Make your favorite hot chocolate, stir in the spirit, and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
2. Mulled Wine
A quintessential winter favorite, mulled wine is perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients: 1 bottle red wine, 1/4 cup brandy, 1/4 cup honey, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, orange slices
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a pot, gently heat without boiling, and serve warm.
3. Hot Toddy
This classic is as comforting as it is simple.
Ingredients: 2 oz whiskey, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp lemon juice, hot water, cinnamon stick
Instructions: Combine whiskey, honey, and lemon juice in a mug. Fill with hot water, stir, and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
4. Irish Coffee
The perfect blend of caffeine and warmth.
Ingredients: 1 oz Irish whiskey, 1 tbsp brown sugar, hot brewed coffee, whipped cream
Instructions: Stir whiskey and brown sugar into coffee, and top with whipped cream.
Cocktails with Warming Spices
5. Cinnamon Old Fashioned
A spiced twist on the classic.
Ingredients: 2 oz bourbon, 1 tsp maple syrup, 2 dashes Angostura bitters, pinch of ground cinnamon, orange peel
Instructions: Stir ingredients with ice, strain into a rocks glass over ice, and garnish with an orange peel.
6. Ginger Snap Mule
This zingy drink is perfect for warming up on a cold day.
Ingredients: 2 oz vodka, 0.5 oz ginger liqueur, 0.5 oz lime juice, ginger beer, candied ginger for garnish
Instructions: Combine vodka, ginger liqueur, and lime juice in a glass with ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with candied ginger.
7. Spiced Pear Martini
Elegant and warming, this cocktail brings a touch of winter luxury.
Ingredients: 1.5 oz pear vodka, 0.5 oz ginger syrup, 0.5 oz lemon juice, dash of cinnamon
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a chilled martini glass, and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
8. Chai Whiskey Sour
A bold, spiced variation on the classic sour.
Ingredients: 2 oz whiskey, 1 oz chai tea concentrate, 0.5 oz lemon juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a rocks glass, and garnish with a star anise.
Cozy Twists on Holiday Classics
9. Spiced Apple Cider Mule
A festive and warming variation of the Moscow Mule.
Ingredients: 1.5 oz vodka, 1 oz spiced apple cider, ginger beer, dash of cinnamon
Instructions: Fill a mule mug with ice, add vodka and cider, top with ginger beer, and sprinkle with cinnamon.
10. Maple Bourbon Eggnog
Eggnog gets a warming kick with the addition of maple and bourbon.
Ingredients: 1 oz bourbon, 1 oz maple syrup, 4 oz eggnog, grated nutmeg for garnish
Instructions: Stir bourbon, maple syrup, and eggnog together, and top with freshly grated nutmeg.
Why Warming Cocktails Are Perfect for Winter
Cocktails with warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg don’t just taste festive—they also evoke a sense of coziness and relaxation. Hot cocktails, on the other hand, bring literal warmth to cold nights, making them ideal for sipping by the fire, at holiday parties, or after a brisk walk in the snow.
This winter, embrace the season with drinks that offer both comfort and cheer. From a classic Hot Toddy to a zingy Ginger Snap Mule, these cocktails will make your evenings brighter and warmer.
