Sean D. Francis

Five Hot Drinks for a Cold Winter’s Night

Posted on 09 January 2010

Just because the holidays are over doesn’t mean the fun stops. We still have several weeks of frigid temps, snow, and ice to contend with before the salvation of spring. How are we going to spend that time? I say we rub elbows with our friends over delightfully warm adult beverages.  Winter drinks are an important part of the winter season.

Alpine
I’ve always known this drink as an Alpine but honestly I can’t find reference to it anywhere else on the web. I’ve seen it as Hot Schnocolate and other variations trying to play of the Schn part of the schnapps that is in it. Or they give it long complicated names like ‘Cozy by the Fireplace’ which conjures up an entirely different image. I eschew that convention and prefer to have a more dignified name for this wonderful warm winter drink.

Yes, this drink can be half-assed using instant cocoa mix but do you deserve a half-assed drink? No. You deserve a cup of pure awesome so that is what you should make. Luckily, when making this you can make it by the batch and save yourself some effort when it comes to that second, third, or fourth cup. You know, for the three friends who are drinking with you. You and I both know that neither one of us would ever have four cups to ourselves. Never.

4 oz whole milk
1.5 oz milk chocolate chips
.5 unsweetened cocoa powder
1.5 oz DeKuyper Creme De Menthe

Put a bowl on a pot of boiling water and melt the chocolate chips in it. Stir in the cocoa powder. In another put warm 4 ounces of whole milk. Don’t let it boil. As it warms, stir in the chocolate. Pour the chocolate mix into the cup and add the creme de menthe.

This is quite the decadent drink, if I do say so myself.

Nutty Irish Coffee
Definitely not an original concept but this is one of those tried and true drinks that will warm the coldest of hearts. This drink requires some extra effort but it is so worth it.

Here are the ingredients.

4 oz fresh coffee
1 oz Jameson Irish whisky
.5 oz DeKuyper Hazelnut Bliss
2 oz heavy cream
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla

Take the two ounces of heavy cream and mix it with the one tablespoon of sugar and the 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla. Don’t whip it into whipping cream but make it frothy. Put the brown sugar in a cup with the whisky and hazelnut liqueur, pour in the cream, and slowly pour in the coffee.

I beg you, strongly beg, you not to top this with whipped cream. The heavy cream should be enough to make this decadently rich and yummy.

Canadian Hot Toddy
Since the ‘hot toddy’ is actually a style of drink not a specific drink recipe there are countless recipes for ‘hot toddy’. The one I am presenting here is not really unique in any specific way. What I enjoy about this version is the simplicity and just how yummy it is to drink.

I used Canadian Club Reserve only because I had some left over, but I highly recommend using Canadian Club whisky in this drink. There is something about the smoothness that really improves this version of the hot toddy.

1.5 oz Canadian Club Whisky
1 oz lemon juice
1 tsp honey
5 oz hot water

Mix the whisky, lemon juice, and honey in the cup and add the hot water. Give it a quick stir and enjoy when chilled to the bone.

Mulled Wine
Sometimes simple is the best. Take a simple tasty red wine, heat it up in a pot with a teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of cloves, and a slice of lemon. The secret element of this mulled wine is the ounce of brandy.

5 oz red wine
1 oz brandy
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1 slice of lemon

Add the brandy to the glass at the very end.

Cure All
This warm wonderful winter drink requires some foresight. Not a lot, but there is some prep work that needs to be done. Take 1/2 cup of Jim Beam bourbon (4 oz) and take 1 tablespoon of fresh sliced ginger and put them in a glass container together. Yes, this is a good use for old mayonaisse jars.

Let the mix rest for at least twelve hours, ideally 36 hours.

1.5 oz ginger infused Jim Beam bourbon
1/4 tsp honey
5 oz black tea
1 oz lemon juice

All that this is missing is some echinacea in order to be a true cure all, but honestly, tea, lemon, honey, ginger, and bourbon – it kicks the ass of all the bad stuff that could afflict you. This drink really benefits from quality black tea.