Six Delicious Winter Cocktails

Posted: January 29, 2018 in Cocktails, Dining, Lifestyle, Traditions
Tagged: Bobby Burns, Brandy Alexander, Dirty Snowman, engraving, Maple Old-Fashioned, Martini, Snowflake Martini, Winter Cocktails, Winter Drinks

The Wares Of Winter

The dreary weeks between January 2 and Valentine’s Day tend to get everyone down, especially when temperatures dip into the teens and snow blocks the driveway.

Nothing revives flagging spirits like spirits, so it’s time to winterize your bar tending repertoire. Round up some friends to sample these heartwarming concoctions.

Snowflake Martini

If you were dreaming of a white Christmas but didn’t get one, this pretty cocktail might be the next best thing.

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces vanilla-flavored vodka
  • Sugar crystals for decorating
  • ½ ounce peppermint schnapps
  • 1 ½ ounces white chocolate liqueur
  • 2 ounces cream or unsweetened cashew milk

Directions:

Chill a martini glass.

In a saucer, pour a small amount of vodka. In a second saucer, pour a thin layer of sugar crystals. Dip the rim of the martini glass into the vodka to wet. Immediately dip the rim into the sugar crystals until the crystals adhere.

In a cocktail shaker, combine the remaining vodka, schnapps, white chocolate liqueur, cream and ice to chill. Shake to mix well, and strain from the ice into the martini glass.

Maple Old-Fashioned

This variation on the classic old-fashioned is the perfect complement to a winter brunch.

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces rye or bourbon
  • 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 dash angostura bitters
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • 1 large block-style ice cube
  • 1 orange twist

Directions:

In an old-fashioned glass, stir rye or bourbon, maple syrup, bitters and water until the syrup is dissolved. Add the ice cube, and garnish with the orange peel.

Brandy Alexander

This was John Lennon’s favorite drink, and he wryly referred to it as a milkshake. If you’re not a fan of milkshakes, there’s no harm in sipping the cognac straight from a crystal snifter.

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces cognac or other fine, aged brandy
  • 1 ounce dark creme de cacao
  • 1 ounce cream
  • 1 to 2 pinches freshly grated nutmeg

Directions:

Chill a martini glass.

In a cocktail shaker, combine cognac, dark creme de cacao and cream. Add ice to chill, shake to combine and strain from the ice into the martini glass. Sprinkle with grated nutmeg.

Bobby Burns

If you’ve still got “Auld Lang Syne” stuck in your head, propose a toast to Robert Burns, the Scottish poet who penned it.

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces aged Scotch whisky
  • ¾ ounce sweet vermouth
  • ½ ounce Benedictine
  • 1 lemon twist

Directions:

In a mixing glass, stir the whisky, vermouth and Benedictine with ice to chill. Strain from the ice into a martini or coupe glass. Garnish with the twist.

Apples-to-Apples Hot Toddies

These aren’t guaranteed to keep the doctor away, but they’ll definitely ward off frostbite.

Serves 8

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons honey
  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cups apple brandy
  • Eight 3-inch cinnamon sticks

Directions:

In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Remove from the heat.

Stir in the honey until dissolved. Stir in the lemon juice and apple brandy. Carefully ladle the mixture into Moscow mule mugs. Garnish each toddy with a cinnamon stick.

Dirty Snowman

For this decadent version of Irish coffee, you’re going to need a bigger mug.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup melted high-quality chocolate
  • ½ cup chocolate shavings
  • ½ pint vanilla ice cream
  • 2 cups hot chocolate
  • ½ cup Irish cream liqueur
  • Dollops of whipped cream for serving

Directions:

Chill two beer mugs.

In a saucer, pour the melted chocolate. In a separate saucer, pour the chocolate shavings. Dip the rim of each mug into the melted chocolate. Immediately dip each mug into the chocolate shavings.

Drop a few scoops of ice cream into each mug. Pour hot chocolate and Irish cream liqueur on top. Top with whipped cream, and sprinkle with any extra chocolate shavings.

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