Warm Your Spirits: Cold Weather Cocktails

As the days grow colder, ice cold beers and chilled wines aren’t the first drinks that come to mind when enjoying the crisp fall air. We’ve put together some of our favorite heated cocktails that are sure to hit the spot on those cooler nights.


Hot Cocoa and Whiskey
6 oz whiskey
⅓ cup cocoa powder
¾ cup sugar
3 ½ cups milk
Pinch of salt
Whipped cream for garnish
Cinnamon for garnish

In a small saucepan combine milk, cocoa powder, sugar and salt over medium heat. Do not boil. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Remove pan from heat and add whiskey. Ladle into a warm mug and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Hot Spiced Buttered Rum:
1 ½ oz of golden rum
1 tsp light brown sugar
¼ tsp finely minced lemon rind
3 pinches of cinnamon
Pinch of ground cloves
Pinch of nutmeg
Boiling water
1 tsp unsalted butter

In a warm glass mug add light brown sugar, lemon rind, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Pour in the rum and fill the mug with boiling water. Drop in the butter and serve.

Warm Old Fashioned Bourbon:
2 oz bourbon
Angostura bitters
Sugar cube
Orange slice
Maraschino cheery
Splash of club soda
Hot water to top off

Place sugar cube in a glass and add 3 drops of bitters. Muddle with cheery, orange and club soda. Remove the pieces of fruit from glass, add bourbon and top with hot water.

Irish Coffee:
3 oz Irish whiskey
1 ⅓ cups hot coffee
3 tsp sugar
Whipped cream for garnish

Warm 2 stemmed glasses by running very hot water into them. Dry. Place ½ tsp of sugar in each glass. Pour coffee and stir to dissolve sugar. Add 1 ½ oz of whiskey into each. Add whipped cream over each and serve.
Looking for something different to warm up this season? Just ask a Spec’s expert!