Caithlin Pena is a writer/editor for YourTango. She enjoys books, movies, and music and writes fictional short stories as a hobby.
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A lot of things change when summer begins and its steady decline into winter. We swap out flip flops and peep-toe wedges for riding boots, steamy summer flings for something a little more steady to cozy up with (and introduce to your parents over the holidays), and flirty rompers for glittery New Year's Eve dresses you’re definitely going to freeze in.
Sure, we may miss summer when the never-ending cold of winter seeps through our bones, but overall, the trade-offs we make pretty much even out. While you’re updating your wardrobe and dating habits for the winter months, why not also update your winter cocktails selection for the season?
We may have been forced to leave behind rooftop bars and rosés with the fading summer months, but drinking is a hobby for all seasons.
Too cold to even risk leaving the house to make the frigid trek to the bar for girls’ night out? No worries! Our friends at Drizly have a perfect and delicious solution for all your winter cocktail needs (including the need to never leave the heated confines of your own apartment.)
Chief Cocktail Officer Trisha Antonsen is always mixing up delicious cocktails for all occasions, and she's sharing her one-of-a-kind recipes with us.
With ingredients that are easy to find at home or at the nearest liquor store, these six winter cocktails will get you through the bitter cold of winter, and they're sure to warm you from your hat-clad head to your fuzzy-socked toes. Sure, you could stay home sipping on a steamy cup of hot chocolate or cider, or you could warm up with something a little more boozy.
These rich and cozy winter cocktails are perfect for warming up during the long, cold months. And the best part? You don't have to be a master bartender to try them yourself. Whether you’re entertaining or just looking to wind down with a little winter pick-me-up, we’ve got a warm and boozy treat to get you through the cold.
1. Blanche Chaud
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Are you a hot chocolate aficionado? Try this classic hot chocolate recipe with a liquor twist.
"Herbaceous green chartreuse and rich chocolate is an unexpected but delightful combination that can never go wrong," says Antonsen. "The classic version of this drink with milk or dark hot chocolate is an apres-ski favorite in the French and Swiss Alps. We threw in our own little twist and opted for white chocolate, resulting in a sweeter, more sugary mixture."
Recipe:
- 2 ounces green chartreuse liqueur
- 4 ounces white hot chocolate
- Whipped cream
- Combine ingredients in a mug, stir then top with whipped cream.
White Hot Chocolate
- Heat 4 cups of whole milk in a saucepan
- Add 1 bag of white chocolate chips (11 ounces) and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Stir until melted, cooking until bubbles form around the edge of the pan. Do not boil. Serve immediately.
2. Blood Orange Bourbon Hot Toddy
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Refreshing, even in the cold of winter, Antonsen calls this "the cure to all your winter ailments. It's sweet, smooth, and soothing all in one," she says. "For added blood orange flavor, we infused the bourbon with blood orange and also steeped the tea in a warm blood orange soda."
3. Pear And Ginger Sparkler
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Antonsen calls this drink a twist of the classic mimosa. Instead of orange juice, use pear juice instead. "Adding the juice last enables the alcohol to rise and the drink to mix itself as you pour," she says.
Recipe:
- 4 ounces dry sparkling wine or brut Champagne
- 1 1/2 ounces pear juice
- 1/2 ounce Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
- In a Champagne glass, combine Domaine de Canton and sparkling wine. Top with pear juice.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh pear.
4. Snow Day Sling
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At first glance, this drink looks more like it fits for the summer. But Antonsen assures us that it's the perfect drink to get you through an especially harsh snow day. "The Irish whiskey flavor and clove aroma combine with fresh fruit juices to deliver a cocktail that will cure even the worst case of winter blues and frozen fingers," she says.
Recipe:
- 1 1/2 ounces Jameson Whiskey
- 1/2 ounce mulled wine
- 1/2 ounce Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- 3/4 ounce lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Pineapple and clove to garnish
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until shaker base is frosty and cold. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice and garnish with a fresh piece of pineapple and cloves.
5. Bourbon Ginger Cider
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Who doesn't love a good cider to battle the cold? Antonsen calls this "a smooth cider cocktail" that will make non-Bourbon fans make an exception. "It's sweet but still has a fresh bite from the liqueur and fresh grated ginger. Make a large batch of this the night before and impress friends at your next get-together," she says.
Recipe:
- 3 ounces apple cider
- 1 1/2 ounces bourbon whiskey
- 1/2 ounce Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
- Freshly grated ginger
- In a shaker, combine all ingredients with ice and shake until cold. Pour into an old-fashioned glass and garnish with your favorite seasonal accompaniment.
6. Golden Hot Toddy
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This classic hot cocktail is the perfect way to wind down on a chilly winter night. With honey and lemon juice, it's like sipping a relaxing cup of tea... Only, you know, better, because alcohol.
Recipe:
- 50 ml Aberfeldy 12
- 15 ml Local Honey Syrup (100g of honey, 64g water, stir and leave to chill. Bottle and use accordingly.)
- 20 ml Lemon Juice
- Spice Mix
- Hot, spicy and zesty, we mix a bespoke hot toddy mix with Aberfeldy 12, local honey, lemon juice and hot water for this winter warmer.