Hot cocktails in the winter are a favorite indulgence. Warm spiced cocoa, mulled wine and Irish coffee are some of our family go-tos.
There's something so cozy about having a hot drink in-hand when we go out scoping for Christmas sights or watching the lighted boats pass by in a traditional west coast celebration. Whether it's rum or bourbon or Bailey's, hot cocktails are hard to beat on a chilly night.
Next time you're out on the town, with a full moon overhead and glittering green and red lights reflecting off the wet pavement, add to the ambiance with a little imbibement. Ask the bartender to whip up one of these hot cocktail specialties to make the night just a little more magical.
My Favorite Hot Cocktails
There are hot cocktails in here for any situation, whether you're looking for something to get the party started or simply want a pairing to cuddle up with by the fireplace while you watch a movie.
Need a little pick-me-up to stave off a winter cold? Try a ginger-lemon concoction at home, perfectly suited for those who may be feeling a bit under the weather. Get the day going with an earl grey hot toddy or Irish coffee, or close out the night with some boozy hot chocolate.
You can be the hostess with the mostess when you serve up some fancy spiced punch, mulled wine or hot buttered hazelnut whiskey.
Hot Cocktails to Keep you Warm
Warm spiced cocoa, mulled wine or Irish coffee are some of my favorite hot cocktails when we go out scoping for Christmas sights.
This hot chocolate is made with REAL cocoa to be high in awesome antioxidants. It's the perfect party drink for those of us who have given up syrupy sweets but still want a decadent, boozy beverage.
Scoop up this tasty hot buttered rum, gather around a toasty fireplace and play board games until the wee hours. Got a sweet tooth? You can even pour it over a bowl of ice cream for a warm, milky treat reminiscent of a root beer float.
This homemade coffee liqueur is equally excellent hot or over ice. Whip up a large batch and keep it on-hand for quick and easy Irish Coffee drinks.
Traditional Hot Toddy
The traditional hot toddy whips up in a flash for an easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy beverage!
2 Tbsp (1 oz) bourbon, brandy or whiskey
1 Tbsp honey
2 tsp lemon juice
1 cup boiling water
Place alcohol, honey and lemon juice in a mug. Pour boiling water over the top, stir and serve.
Spiked Chai
I like to save time with a convenient chai mix, but the homemade recipe below makes for a dark and delicious brew that's worth the time.
1 black tea bag
1 cardamom pod, crushed
1 allspice berry, crushed
1 clove, crushed
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp grated ginger
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp honey
1 cup boiling water or milk, per your preference
2 Tbsp (1 oz) bourbon
1 cinnamon stick
Pour boiling water or milk over tea, cardamom, allspice, clove, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla and honey. Let steep for 5 minutes. Strain and serve, adding bourbon and garnishing with cinnamon stick.
Classic Mulled Wine
Mulled wine is one of the ultimate must-have hot drinks for the holidays, and it's so easy to make!
1 (750 ml) red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon
6 whole cloves
2 star anise
2 cinnamon sticks
1 orange, peeled and sliced into rounds (reserve peel for garnish if desired)
1/4 cup maple syrup
Add all ingredients to a saucepan and cook on medium-high heat until it barely bubbles. Immediately reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain and serve.
Spiked Apple Cider
This classic recipe is one of my favorite fresh hot cocktails, making use of the very best seasonal offering: apple cider!
1 cup apple cider
1 orange slice, peel removed and reserved for garnish
1 whole clove
1 star anise
1/4 tsp grated ginger
1 cinnamon stick
2 Tbsp (1 oz) spiced rum or bourbon
Place apple cider, orange slice, clove, star anise and ginger in a small pot and bring to boil. Lower heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Strain, add alcohol and garnish with cinnamon stick and orange peel.
Hot Spiced Cranberry Cocktail
A combination of classic hot cocktails, the addition of cranberry juice gives this one a refreshing zing.
3/4 cup cranberry juice
1/4 cup orange juice
2 cloves
1 tsp honey
1/4 tsp grated ginger
1 cinnamon stick
2 Tbsp (1 oz) rum
Place cranberry juice, orange juice, cloves, honey and ginger in a small pot and bring to boil. Lower heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Strain, add alcohol and garnish with cinnamon stick.
Hot Buttered Whiskey
A twist on the classic hot buttered rum featured up towards the beginning of our hot cocktails, this list would be incomplete without a whiskey rendition!
1 Tbsp whiskey
1 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
Beat whiskey, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves together over medium heat until just boiling. Reduce heat to low, simmer for 10 minutes and serve.
Boozy White Hot Chocolate
Not a fan of hot chocolate? Give it a white hot chocolate spin for a fresh take on one of our favorite hot cocktails of the season.
1 cup milk or non-dairy alternative
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cinnamon stick
2 Tbsp (1 oz) rum
Beat milk, white chocolate chips, ginger and nutmeg over medium heat until just boiling. Reduce heat to low, simmer for 10 minutes, add rum and serve garnished with cinnamon stick.
Kahlua Salted Caramel Latte
You can use our homemade coffee liqueur for this, or just grab some Kahlua.
1 cup coffee
1/4 cup whole milk or dairy-free alternative
1 Tbsp caramel sauce
1/8 tsp sea salt
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbsp (1 oz) Kahlua
Beat coffee, milk, caramel sauce, sea salt and cocoa powder over medium heat until boiling. Reduce heat to low, simmer for 10 minutes, add Kahlua and serve.
Classic Eggnog with Rum
Last but not least, a beloved holiday must-have rounds out our hot cocktails list.
8 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
4 cups whole milk or dairy-free alternative
1/2 cup whipping cream or dairy-free alternative
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 cup brandy, bourbon or rum
In a large saucepan, whisk eggs together with sugar and salt. Beat milk and cream together and add to eggs in a steady stream while beating vigorously. Heat mixture on low heat, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon for 30 minutes until the mixture coats the back of the spoon. Strain into a bowl, add vanilla, nutmeg, and alcohol. Serve fresh.
There's a living nativity at the church near my step-grandfather's old home that we used to visit when I was younger. They were the first ones I ever saw serving mulled wine (for the adults) and hot cocoa for the kiddos. Standing there in the biting snow, gloves and hats on-hand and singing carols…that's quite possibly what started my love affair with hot cocktails.
Does your family enjoy hot cocktails during the winter?