Cozy Holiday Cocktails

Cozy CocktailsCozy Cocktails

For a Spirited Holiday Season

By Morgan Cole

THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, we tend to find ourselves craving a hot fire, a big comfy sweater and a cozy warm drink in our hands. We’ve brought you a few of our favorite winter-approved cocktail recipes that are more than appropriate for Christmastime and all its merriment. From boozy hot chocolate to warm spiked apple cider, these hot holiday cocktails are sure to keep you feeling nice and cozy all season long. Drinks all around. Cheers!

Spiked Gingerbread Latte

Turns out, you don’t need a fancy espresso machine or the magic touch of a Starbucks barista to make your favorite gingerbread latte at home. All you need is a slow cooker, some spices and a few simple ingredients. Combine with strongly brewed coffee or espresso, and this crockpot gingerbread latte is sure to satisfy your seasonal caffeine cravings.

Ingredients Directions

(for 5 quarts or larger pot)

• 4 cups strong coffee • 5 cups whole milk • 1 teaspoon allspice • 2 teaspoons nutmeg • 1 tablespoon ground ginger • 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon • 1/3 cup brown sugar • 7 ounces vanilla vodka • 7 ounces Kahlúa • Whipped cream Combine all ingredients—except the whipped cream—into a crockpot and thoroughly blend. Turn the crockpot on low heat for approximately 3 to 4 hours before serving. Top with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon.

Classic Hot Toddy

If anything, the Hot Toddy is the quintessential cold-weather cocktail. It has a delightful warming quality, but it’s also filling and restorative. This classic Hot Toddy recipe is easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients. *Recipe yields one cocktail.

Ingredients

(for 5 quarts or larger pot)

• 3/4 cup water • 1 1/2 ounces whiskey (of choice) • 2 to 3 teaspoons honey, to taste • 1 lemon (for garnish & juicing) • 2 to 3 teaspoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice, to taste • 1 cinnamon stick (optional, for garnish)

Directions

In a teapot or saucepan, bring the water to a simmer. Pour the hot water into a mug. Add the whiskey, 2 teaspoons of honey and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Stir until honey has dissolved into the hot water. Taste, and add 1 teaspoon more of lemon juice. Garnish with a lemon round and cinnamon stick. Honestly, nothing screams Holiday Party quite like mulled wine. Mulled wine is a wine that’s enriched with seasonal flavors like cinnamon and cloves—it’s the holiday drink recipe that dreams are made of. Enjoying wine as a hot beverage might sound a bit strange if you’ve never tried it, but just think of it as the sultry cousin of the Hot Toddy. Not only is this festive cocktail easy to prepare, it’s also perfect to set on the stove or in a crockpot during a holiday party for guests to enjoy.

Ingredients

(for 5 quarts or larger pot)

• 1 orange, sliced and seeded • 1⁄2 cup sugar • 2 cups water • 1 teaspoon ground cloves • 2 teaspoons cinnamon • 1 bottle red wine (of choice)

Directions

Combine the orange, sugar, water and spices in a large stainless steel or enameled pot. Slowly bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat, add the wine, and slowly reheat but do not boil. Serve warm in mugs. Yields 8 servings.

Hot Spiked Cider

This cozy cocktail is pretty much a requirement for fall and winter! This tasty spiked cider recipe adds rum to the classic cold-weather beverage. It can be made in large quantities and kept warm on the stovetop, in an electric coffee server or crockpot and is great for a cozy night by the fire or just about any type of holiday gathering.

Ingredients Directions

(for 5 quarts or larger pot)

• 1 quart water • 3 orange spice tea bags • 2 cups apple cider • 1 1/2 cups light rum of choice • 1/2 cup light brown sugar • 2 cinnamon sticks • 3 teaspoons butter • 6 cinnamon sticks, garnish Pour water into a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add orange spice tea bags. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and stir in apple cider, rum, brown sugar, and 2 cinnamon sticks. Heat cider over medium-low heat until it begins to steam. Ladle hot cider into 6 mugs and drop 1/2 teaspoon of butter into each. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.