As the chilly winter weather sets in, there’s no better way to get cozy than with a deliciously warming hot cocktail. Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering at home or celebrating a winter wedding, these special drinks are sure to cast a warm and inviting glow over your celebration.
From classic mulled wine and hot toddies to more unique concoctions featuring cinnamon, chai, and whiskey, we’ve rounded up our favorite hot cocktail recipes to help you create the perfect atmosphere for your holiday gathering. So why not kick off the festivities with a warm and fuzzy feeling inside? Simply grab your favorite spirits, spices, and sweet treats, and get ready to serve up some seriously seasonal sips.
Hot Cocktail Recipes
Smoke & Cinnamon Hot Whiskey Old Fashioned
As we explored this delightful smoke and cinnamon cocktail, we discovered a perfect blend of festive flavors with a classic Old Fashioned twist. Taking it up a notch for a winter wedding, we recommend adding hot water to the whiskey for a cozy and warming toddy. For those interested in recreating this drink at home, we suggest heading over to A Beautiful Mess for the full recipe – just don’t forget to add that crucial hot water!
Best Ever Mulled Wine
Add a touch of elegance to your winter wedding celebration with a rich and decadent mulled wine recipe. This indulgent drink is a classic wintertime staple that’s sure to warm the hearts (and hands) of your guests. As shared by Executive Chef Alex Nahke at The Europe Hotel & Resort in Co. Kerry, this special recipe has been kindly featured on One Fab Day. The perfect blend of spices and wine, this mulled wine is a sophisticated choice for any wedding celebration.
Boozy Hot Chocolate
When it comes to creating a unique and memorable experience for your wedding guests, consider setting up a hot chocolate station that offers a twist on the classic wintertime drink. After the ceremony and before dinner, a post-ceremony hot chocolate bar is the perfect way to warm up and get the party started. To take it to the next level, provide a variety of spirits and liqueurs that guests can use to spike their hot chocolate.
This could include Baileys, whiskey, Amaretto, Frangelico, coconut rum, coffee liqueur, or creme de menthe – the options are endless! With this setup, your guests will have the freedom to customize their drink to their taste and create a truly personalized experience.
Hot Buttered Rum
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to dust off those old recipes and give them a modern twist. One drink that often gets overlooked but deserves attention is the humble buttered rum. This festive treat typically finds its way onto cooking shows, yet it rarely makes an appearance in real-life gatherings. I’m pledging to change this trend by bringing it to your holiday celebrations. The recipe from Jamie Oliver serves as a perfect inspiration for after-dinner indulgence.
A harmonious blend of dark rum, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg creates a flavor profile that’s sure to leave everyone craving more.
Warm London Cup
For fans of the quintessential British summer drink, Pimm’s, Sipsmith has collaborated with Stylist magazine to create a unique recipe featuring their own London Cup. This delightful concoction warms the senses without overpowering the palate, thanks to the harmonious balance of cloudy apple and orange flavors heated to perfection.
Caramel and Apple Hot Toddy
The versatility of hot toddies is undeniable, with numerous variations to explore. One intriguing recipe that caught my attention is the caramel and apple-infused concoction from Delicious magazine. Not only does it promise to be a flavorful treat, but its ease of preparation makes it an excellent choice for wedding celebrations. The image shared by The Crumby Kitchen adds a visually appealing touch to this cocktail’s charm.
Mulled Apple Cider Sangria
Imagine a warm, inviting beverage that combines the best of mulled wine, apple cider, and sangria. This unique recipe from The Crumby Kitchen perfectly blends clementines, vanilla, nutmeg, and ginger with at least three types of alcohol to create the ultimate drink for hosting friends. Whether serving as a welcoming gesture or a cozy nightcap, this concoction is sure to delight guests.
The accompanying photo, courtesy of The Kitchy Kitchen, provides a tantalizing glimpse into the world of flavors that await.
Rum Hot Toddy with Chai
Imagine sipping on a warm, inviting drink that captures the essence of the season. This delightful concoction, inspired by The Kitchy Kitchen, is a masterful blend of dark rum, chai tea, and honey. As you take a sip, the comforting flavors meld together in perfect harmony, evoking the cozy atmosphere of a crackling fire on a chilly winter’s night. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to scale up for big gatherings or special events.
Hot Gin & Tonic
A G&T is often incomplete without the gentle clinking of ice cubes against the glassware, evoking memories of being served flat soda as a child when you were under the weather. However, we assure you that this technique will be a welcome and refreshing addition to your gathering’s beverage selection! Even Sipsmith, a renowned craft gin distiller, swears by its effectiveness. Here’s how it’s done:
Mulled Pomegranate Mocktail
For those who prefer a drink without the added ingredient of alcohol, fear not! A deliciously warming and flavorful mulled non-alcoholic cocktail awaits, packed with festive flavors that will leave your guests feeling cozy and content. To get the recipe, head to the BBC Good Food blog for a delightful treat that’s sure to please.
