35 delicious winter drinks

Sunset Magazine

Warm up winter with a special mocha, hot cider, mulled wine, glass of bubbly, or fizzy cocktail.


1. Layered Mocha
Sip hot chocolate through layers of hot espresso and thick, cold cream in this deconstructed mocha.

Recipe:
Prep and Cook Time: about 30 minutes. Notes: Serve in heatproof glasses to see the layers. Stir in more sugar to taste. Yield: Makes 4 servings.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup whipping cream

  • 1/2 cup chopped semisweet chocolate

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar, divided, plus more to taste

  • 1 cup hot brewed espresso

  • 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)

Preparation

  • Place cream in a bowl and chill until very cold, about 15 minutes. Fill 4 heatproof glasses (6 to 8 oz. each) with boiling water.

  • In a small saucepan over high heat, bring 3/4 cup water to a boil. Reduce heat to low and whisk in chopped chocolate until smoothly blended. Add 1 tbsp. sugar. Stir over medium-low heat until mixture thickens slightly and coats spoon in a thin layer, 3 to 5 minutes. Cover and keep hot.

  • Whip cream with 1 tbsp. sugar until thick, but before peaks form (cream should still be pourable). Mix remaining 1/2 tbsp. sugar with hot espresso.

  • Drain water from glasses. Pour one-quarter of hot chocolate into a glass. Hold a spoon, concave side down, at about a 45° angle so tip of spoon touches inside of glass, slightly above chocolate. Very slowly, pour one-quarter of espresso over back of spoon. Repeat for each glass. Spoon thick cream onto espresso, dividing evenly between glasses. Sift a bit of cocoa over cream if you like. Serve immediately.


2. Warm Apple Pie Cocktail


This dessert-themed beverage, a cousin of rum punch, lives up to its evocative name.
Get the recipe


3. Coconut Eggnog


Try this rich Puerto Rican-style treat with or without the rum.

Get the recipe


4. Crimson Spice Champagne Cocktail


Lemon-lime or club soda can be used in place of cognac and Champagne for a nonalcoholic version.

Get the recipe


5. Orange-Scented Mulled Wine


Warm coriander and pungent cardamom―instead of the usual cinnamon―give this traditional spiced wine an earthy floral twist.
Get the recipe

SEE ALL WINTER DRINK RECIPES

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