Embrace the holiday chill with these five expert-selected warm cocktails, perfect alternatives to chilled drinks. As seasoned mixologists know, nothing beats a steaming mug during festive gatherings. Whip them up at home with these reliable recipes.
Spiced Apple Tea
Ingredients (for 2 cocktails): 50 ml gin, 15 ml Martini Bianco, 20 ml fresh lemon juice, 3 thin slices of apple, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 cloves, 3 cardamom pods (broken), ¼ vanilla pod, 1 black tea bag, 15 ml honey, 150 ml water, 50 ml apple juice.
Method: Add water, honey, and apple to a pot and heat. Once hot, add spices and tea bag; simmer for 5 minutes. Remove tea bag, stir in apple juice, gin, Martini Bianco, and lemon juice. Serve in large tea cups, garnished with orange zest, apple slices, and nutmeg.
White Mulled Wine
Switch things up this season with elegant white mulled wine instead of the classic red.
Ingredients (for a group): 2 bottles white wine, 500 ml cider, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp star anise, 4 tbsp caster sugar, zest of 1 lemon.
Method: Combine wine, cider, and ingredients in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Serve when the aromatic spices perfume your kitchen.
Cola de Mono
This beloved Chilean holiday drink blends creamy milk, coffee, cloves, and robust spirits.
Ingredients (for 2): 6 cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 300 ml milk, 75 g sugar, 100 ml fresh coffee, 50 ml white rum/cognac/gin.
Method: Heat spices, milk, and sugar in a saucepan until sugar dissolves. Off heat, stir in coffee; add alcohol just before serving. Garnish with cinnamon sticks.
Tom and Jerry
A timeless American holiday favorite, this hot eggnog twist features brandy, rum, and warm milk.
Ingredients (for 2): 1 egg, 1 tsp syrup or sugar, 50 ml dark rum, 50 ml brandy, 350 ml warm milk (almond milk works for dairy-free), grated nutmeg for garnish.
Method: Separate egg yolk and white; beat separately, then combine. Mix in sugar, rum, and brandy. Top with hot milk, stir, and dust with nutmeg.
Glögg
Scandinavia's iconic mulled wine gets a luxurious boost from cognac, port, and nuts.
Ingredients (for a group): 1 liter red wine, 1 liter port, 750 ml brandy, 3 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp cardamom seeds, 24 cloves, 1 orange peel, 25 g raisins, 25 g blanched almonds, 400 g sugar.
Method: Gently heat wine and liqueurs in a saucepan until steaming (no boil). Optionally flambé. Cool 10 minutes, add spices, raisins, and almonds. Serve warm.
