5 Drinks That Will Keep You Warm This Winter

As it cools down outside, you’ll need a drink or two to keep you warm. And while the traditional hot toddy or Bailey’s in your coffee can be a welcome treat in the winter, you can only have so many of these before you crave something new. So take a look at some warm alcoholic drinks to try out this winter!

1. Hot Buttered Rum

If you didn’t think butter and rum would go well together, let this hot winter drink prove you wrong!

Ingredients:

• 1 stick (or 4 oz) of unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup of light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon of ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• Dash of salt
• 2 oz of dark rum
• 6 oz of hot water

Directions:

1. Combine the butter, vanilla extract, brown sugar, spices, and salt in a mixing bowl.
2. Beat until combined.
3. In a mug, combine 1 oz (or 2 tbsp) of the butter mixture with 2 oz of rum.
4. Top with the hot water and stir.
5. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, and put away the rest of the butter mixture until you’re ready for another mug of buttered rum!

2. Mulled Wine

Wine tastes great any time of year, but if you’re going to be drinking it this winter, make sure it warms you up while you imbibe! Making mulled wine is the perfect way to get started.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 liter bottle of bold red wine
• 1 bottle of apple cider
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves
• 4 star anise

Directions:

1. Pour the wine and apple cider into a slow cooker or saucepan.
2. Add the dry ingredients to the slow cooker or pan.
3. Set the slow cooker to low and let it cook for 1 to 4 hours. If you’re using a saucepan, bring the ingredients to a boil and then let the mixture simmer for 1 hour.
4. Feel free to add fruit if you’d like!

3. Orange & Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Switch up your hot chocolate by adding some different flavors, like peppermint and orange—plus alcohol, of course. If you want to warm up with a delicious drink, check out this sweet and simple recipe for orange & peppermint hot chocolate.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz of peppermint flavored vodka
• 0.5 oz of triple sec
• 8 oz of hot chocolate

Directions:

1. Pour all three ingredients into a mug.
2. Stir and enjoy!
3. Use a candy cane as a stir stick and put an orange peel on the rim of the mug if you want a tasty garnish!

4. Apple-Cranberry Holiday Wassail

If you’re looking for a way to make a tasty concoction from rum, apple cider, and lots of spices, try out this Apple-Cranberry Holiday Wassail recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 quarts of apple cider
• 1 quart of cranberry juice cocktail
• 1/2 cup of honey
• 8 whole cloves
• 18 whole allspice
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1/2 of a vanilla bean, split end to end
• 3 strips of a lemon rind that’s 1-inch wide
• 3 strips of an orange rind that’s 1-inch wide
• 1 & 1/4 cups plus 2 tbsp. of dark rum

Directions:

1. Combine the apple cider, cranberry juice, and honey in a 6-quart slow cooker.
2. Put the cloves, allspice, and cinnamon sticks on a double layer of cheesecloth, and then combine the edges of the cheesecloth to tie together.
3. Place the cheesecloth with the spices in the slow cooker.
4. Add the vanilla bean, lemon rinds, orange rinds.
5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5 hours.
6. Remove the cheesecloth and spices, vanilla bean, and fruit rinds from the slow cooker, and throw them away.
7. Pour the rum into the slow cooker to mix with the spiced juice mixture.
8. Cover the slow cooker and reduce the temperature to warm.
9. Serve straight from the slow cooker!

5. Mint and White Chocolate Milk Punch

If you want a creamy, vodka-based drink that will warm you up this winter, the Mint and White Chocolate Milk Punch is the perfect beverage to try as soon as the temperature drops!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of heavy cream
• 1 quart of 2% milk
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, split down the middle
• 3 sprigs of mint
• A 4-ounce white chocolate baking bar, chopped up
• Vodka of your choice

Directions:

1. Add cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla bean to a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring often along the way.
2. Remove the mixture from the heat and add the sprigs of mint.
3. Cover the saucepan and let stand for 8 minutes.
4. Throw away the vanilla bean and mint.
5. Add the chopped chocolate.
6. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring often.
7. Mix in 2 tbsp. of vodka per 1 cup of punch right before serving.

If you don’t feel like making these warm winter drinks yourself, you can always let a trained bartender do it for you instead. Check out any of these Chicago bars while it’s cold out, and feel free to order the drink you’re in the mood for this winter!