10 Toasty Cocktails for Chilly Fall Nights
Hot cocktails are the perfect prescription for chilly autumn and winter nights. Fortified with brown liquors and heavy creams and spiced with seasonal flavors, like cinnamon and mint, these hearty beverages are comfort in a glass. Just one sip will make you feel a little toastier-and perhaps a little toasted, as well.
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Apple Cider
This cocktail has all the standard accoutrements of the hot cider you remember as a kid, like cinnamon sticks and cloves, but with one adult addition: bourbon. Add orange slices for a festive, citrusy garnish.
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Peppermint Patty
Already a cold weather staple, hot chocolate is made even better with a splash (or three) of peppermint schnapps. (Crème de menthe also works well.) It makes a decadent yet refreshing liquid dessert.
Photo source: macinate (cc)
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Mulled Wine
Sometimes called Glühwein or glögg, mulled wine is red wine that's been heated and mixed with sugar; spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves; and orange and lemon slices. Bon Appétit's version incorporates brandy into the mix.
Photo source: Wikimedia Commons
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Cherry Pepper Martini
Though martinis aren't hot temperature-wise, the pepper-infused vodka in this particular variety is sure to warm you up from the inside out. A little grenadine nicely complements the subtle heat in SheKnows.com's recipe.
Photo source: Southern Foodways Alliance (cc)
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Hot Toddy
A hot toddy actually does wonders for a sore throat and stuffy head, thanks to its soothing ingredients, like honey and whiskey. A smidge of orange juice and a sprinkle of cinnamon help it go down even easier.
Photo source: flickr4jazz (cc)
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Irish Coffee
Coffee turns naughty with the addition of Irish whiskey and a little whipped cream on top. This recipe comes from the Buena Vista, a famous café in San Francisco that first brought the drink to the United States.
Photo source: summer park (cc)
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Winter Julep
Imbibe magazine's winter take on the light, summery mint julep utilizes peppermint tea and brown sugar to create a drink that's heartier without sacrificing any of the tastiness. Don't forget the mint sprig!
Photo source: ms. Tea (cc)
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The Blizzard Cocktail
If you thought the Peppermint Patty sounded rich, check out the stats on the Blizzard, a cocktail featured on Martha Stewart's website. It's whiskey, hazelnut and Irish cream liqueur, and coffee, topped off with Grand Marnier whipped cream. Like the name implies, this is only for extreme sweet tooth situations.
Photo source: Zanastardust (cc)
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Hot Buttered Rum
Hot buttered rum has all the makings of a delicious and comforting baked good: butter, brown sugar, powdered sugar, and heavy cream. It's almost as if a buttery caramel cookie was melted down and poured into a mug.
Photo source: Wikimedia Commons
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Tom and Jerry
A Tom and Jerry cocktail is similar to eggnog in both its taste and its association with the holidays. The main difference is that it's served hot instead of cold, which enhances the bold flavors of the spice blend and the Jamaican rum in Epicurious.com's recipe.
Photo source: izik (cc)
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