{Mixology} 10 Cool Weather Cocktails

I don’t know about you, but the cooler weather definitely has me in the mood for some toasty drinks. In the fall and winter, there’s nothing I enjoy more than coming home from work and mixing up a cool weather cocktail to warm me up and let me unwind. That’s why I decided to chat with some bartenders, mixologists and liquor representatives alike to compile this list of delicious cool weather cocktails, separated up by general flavor, including:

Apple Cider Cocktails

Orange Spiced Cider

Sent in by the people of Ron Abuelo Rum and Numi Tea, this easy and unique tea cocktail will warm up your soul during those chilly days. To create, heat 8oz apple cider until it’s very hot, then steep 1 orange spice tea bag in the cider for 5 minutes, covered. Uncover, add 2oz rum (they suggest Ron Abuelo Añejo rum) and stir. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Heated Affair

Created by Jacques Bezuidenhout, Brand Ambassador for Tequila Partida, this drink can be mixed by adding 2oz tequila (they suggest Partida Anejo) with 6oz hot spiced apple cider. Then, float heavy cream on top and garnish with fresh nutmeg.

Hot Apple Pie

My friends at Canadian Club Whisky sent in this tasty recipe, which can be whipped up by adding 1.25 parts whiskey (they suggest Canadian Club Classic 12) and .5 part Tuaca Vanilla Citrus Liquor to a coffee mug. Top off with 4 parts hot apple cider, add whipped cream and dust with cinnamon.

Chai Cocktails

Chai Amore

Sent in by Seattle-based chai company, Jaipur Avenue and created by Jackie Moffett of Drink Gal, this recipe includes my absolute favorite non-alcoholic cool weather drink: chai! To create your own, pour 1oz Tuaca, 1oz amaretto and 4oz hot Jaipur Avenue Masala Chai into a mug. Stir, and top with whipped cream (and cinnamon if you’d like!)

Coffee Cocktails

Irish Coffee

A popular recipe from Judith Choate’s A Reader’s Cookbook, Irish coffee is usually served as a late evening warmer-upper. To mix yourself up a mug, place 6oz of hot, strong coffee in your glass. Stir in 1oz Irish whiskey and 1tsp sugar. Spoon 3tbsp whipped cream over the top, sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy.

Hot Coco Cocktails

Peppermint Pattie

Sent in by the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa, this toasty treat is simply hot chocolate with Godiva Chocolate liqueur and Rumplemintz added to taste and topped with whipped cream. For extra garnish, use crushed candy cane for the rim!

Hazelnut Hot Chocolate Liqueur

Hazelnut is definitely my favorite coffee flavor, so I was pretty excited when the folks of Coffee-mate sent in this one. To make it, combine 1 1/4 cups hot water, 5tbsp Coffee-mate French Vanilla and 3tbsp baking cocoa in a pitcher and stir until dissolved. Mix in 2tbsp coffee liqueur and 2tbsp hazelnut liqueur. Divide between 2 mugs and top each with whipped cream.

Pumpkin Cocktails

Pumpkin Patch

This tasty pumpkin-flavored treat is a fall favorite at New Orleans’ Whiskey Blue, located in the W Hotel. To re-create it, grab a shaker and stir in 1tspn light brown sugar, 1tspn honey, 3 dashes of pumpkin spice seasoning and 3/4oz fresh lime juice until it’s all dissolved. Then add 1.75oz apple cider, 1.5 oz tequila (they suggest Herradura Silver) and 1 egg white.

Pumpkin Spice

Upscale NYC catering company, Canard’s mixologist Ryan Maerz suggests warming up to a Pumpkin Spice cocktail as the cool fall weather starts to hit us. To build this beverage, mix 1 part Manuka Honey Vodka, 1 part Stoli Vanilla, 1tbs pumpkin mash, 2 parts pumpkin spice simple syrup, a pinch of salt and a splash of vanilla liquor.

Spiced Cocktails

Scandinavian Glogg

Direct from Scandinavia, this warm, sweet spiced drink sent in by Spice Islands is sure to drive away the chills! This one is going to take a little while to create, so to get started, place 1 1/2 cups vodka in a container with a tight fitting lid. Add 4 cinnamon sticks, 8 whole cloves, 1tbsp crystallized ginger, 1tsp orange peel and 2 whole nutmegs (split each in half using a hammer). Tightly cover and let set a minimum of 24 hours, then strain. Mix flavored vodka, 2 bottles (750 ml each) burgandy wine and 1 1/2 cups sugar in a large saucepan or stockpot. Heat, covered, but do not boil. Serve warm and garnish each serving with raisins and silvered almonds.