With Winter around the corner and Christmas fast approaching, it is about to time to switch out your favorite Summer drinks and cocktails with something a bit more season-appropriate. Here are a few of the best cocktails to try this Winter.
Milk & Honey
Milk and Honey is a classic Winter cocktail that is not only delicious, but sumptuous as well. Made from Benedictine, a honey-flavor herbal liqueur, and cold milk, it is both creamy and warm and the perfect way to end off an evening.
You can also swap out the Benedictine for one of the many alcohol spirits, such as Dambuie, Amaro, or even a shot of Brandy.
Caramel Irish Coffee
An Irish Coffee is another classic after-dinner drink, but a great spin to take it to the next level is to give it a touch of caramel flavoring. However, simply adding a dash of caramel syrup or something similar isn’t the route to go.
After you have created a regular Irish coffee, add a swig of Irish cream and butterscotch schnapps to the mix. Top the drink off with some whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce to finish off this decadent drink.
Rum Eggnog
The humble eggnog is the quintessential Christmas drink that can almost not be improved on. However, there is a way to do it, and that is by simply adding a shot of rum. You get the creaminess and nostalgia of eggnog, but with the warmth of the rum heating you up on a cold evening.
Spiked Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate is another drink that we crave once the temperatures begin to drop. A great to spice it up is to add a shot of whisky. Heat some milk on the stove, and add a handful of dark chocolate chips, a dash of sugar, and a shot of your favorite whiskey for a warm, adult version of a classic.
Glogg
Instead of just making your home look and feel like Christmas, make a drink that will leave it smelling like Christmas as well. Glogg, a classic Swedish Christmas drink, is a less-sweet version of the more well-known mulled wine.
While the recipe can sometimes differ, the basic recipe combines cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, red wine, sugar, Marsala, white rum, some oranges, ginger, raisins and almonds.
Cranberry-Apple Sangria
Sangria is already a great drink for warm weather, and if you live somewhere that has a Summer Christmas, this spin will transform it into a Christmas favorite. To a standard sangria recipe, simply throw in a few sticks of cinnamon and a few crushed and whole cranberries to let their tart taste wind their way through the drink.
Campfire Mules
A spin on a Moscow Mule, the Campfire Mule sees you replace the vodka with some bourbon, a touch of maple syrup for some sweetness, lemon juice and ginger ale, and a couple of roasted marshmallows on a toothpick for garnish.
Amaretto Sour
The Amaretto Sour is one of the best Christmas cocktails out there thanks to its simple recipe, and almost tasting like a tiramisu. Combine Amaretto with some bourbon to create this nutty, festive season-themed favorite.
Tiramisu White Russian
Another White Russian variation you should try is a Tiramisu White Russian. Kahlua and dark rum are combined for the base, with thick, sweetened cream on top of it. Sprinkle some fresh nutmeg and crushed cinnamon on top for that tiramisu touch. This is an incredibly moreish drink that might quickly become your new Christmas go-to nightcap.
Winter Cocktail Tips
Now that you know a few of the best Winter cocktails you should make this holiday season, here are a few tips to remember to be the best cocktail maker.
Kit Essentials
Firstly, a great cocktail starts with having the right kit. One thing you need is a cocktail shaker to ensure all your ingredients get mixed correctly, and you are able to pour a smooth and clean drink.
The best option to buy a simple cocktail-making kit, which will include a shaker, a few stirrers, a sieve, and a cocktail jigger. You don’t need anything fancy, as the basics will cover most of your cocktail needs.
Winter Flavors
As for flavors, there are a few that are ideal for Winter and Christmas time. Starting with spices, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cardamom are four that you should stock up on. A few Christmas classics you need are peppermint, ginger, and candy canes.
Some great Winter cocktail fruits include clementines, lemon, apples, cranberries, and pear. You should also have a bottle of honey and syrup on hand, as well as some dark chocolate.
Cozy Spirits
As for spirits, you don’t have to stock up on everything, but a few staples you should have include rum, whisky, and gin. These three spirits combined with the above flavors open you up to dozens of different cocktails, and you can mix and match to suit your tastes and mood.
If you prefer creamier cocktails, you can also purchase a bottle of Amaretto, Kahlua, or Bailey’s. These are all relatively versatile, and when used in cocktails, they can swapped depending on your taste.
