Top 13 Hot Winter Cocktails to Try

Centuries of tradition solidified mulled wine as a cold-weather favorite, especially in Europe, where it’s served at holiday markets. Follow this recipe for an easy-to-make rendition with spicy and citrusy flavors. Brandy also contributes to this wine’s alcohol content, giving it a little extra kick. You can easily adjust the spice used here for what you have on hand. 

As far as hot winter cocktails go, hot toddies are one of the most well-known. This recipe adds something extra to the classic, switching up standard ingredients for the bright, tart flavor of cranberries. Maple syrup adds a sweetness that pairs perfectly with the sweeter tones of bourbon used in this toddy. 

Tropical concoctions might come to mind first when rum is an ingredient, but if you’re looking for a hot winter cocktail that’s sweet and spicy, consider hot buttered rum. It pairs the spirit with spicy, vanilla, and butter, giving this drink its smooth character. Follow the recipe to make four servings of this winter cocktail, which is perfect for sharing. 

If you spend the holidays making gingerbread houses, you can use some extra ingredients in this hot winter cocktail. Make a gingerbread simple syrup by combining spices like cinnamon and ground ginger. The syrup adds spiciness and sweetness to the cocktail, contrasting the strong whiskey and decadent Irish cream. 

This spiked recipe provides an excellent option for those looking for something quick and tasty with a low ingredient count. You’ll only need three items to make this cocktail, apple cider, caramel syrup, and apple brandy. Opt to make this hot winter cocktail a real treat by topping whipped cream and a caramel sauce drizzle. 

Another take on the classic hot toddy, adding blueberries into the mix. The berries, ginger, and lemon must be muddled and then topped with boiling water to steep in an appropriate vessel. The slight tartness from the fruit contrasts with the bright citrus, allowing this toddy to keep its classic character while adding something new. 

Spiked coffee drinks make for amazing hot winter cocktails, providing an excellent way to warm up and wake up with this version of White Russian. This recipe yields one delicious cocktail with a rich, smooth texture from the heavy cream. The cocktail isn’t overly sweet, with the only added sugars coming from the spirits. Kahlua and your choice of vodka add the kick to this cocktail.

This buttered recipe creates a stronger cocktail than other varieties by using less water, resulting in a more potent and flavorful drink. Brandy, in place of the more traditional rum, brings a new flavor to the mix, which pairs well with the buttery character of the drink. Finally, spices like clove and cinnamon add a distinct heat to the rich cocktail.

In addition to more traditional ingredients like lemon, this hot toddy recipe calls for tea, spices, and fresh ginger. All of these items make for an exceptionally flavorful cocktail, which you can adjust to match the character of your favorite whiskey or bourbon. The recipe uses maple syrup instead of honey, adding to the cocktail’s bolder flavors.

Unlike other hot winter cocktails, the heat in this drink comes solely from spices and is served cold. Make the drink as spicy as you like by infusing maple syrup with a mix of ginger, star anise, and other spices. Consider items like cloves or peppercorns for the cocktail to pack a spicy punch.

Enhance your favorite wintertime treat with this spiked hot chocolate recipe. Create rich and creamy chocolate milk using dark chocolate sauce and heavy cream, which acts as the cocktail's base. Shake with your favorite Irish whiskey, and serve for a cool drink or for a hot one, slowly warm the mixture on the stove. 

A simple switch in the classic hot toddy recipe results in tasty takes on the cocktail that uses rum. Any type of rum works in this drink, but different varieties add different flavors to the toddy. The recipe suggests white rum for fruitier cocktails and dark rum for richer notes, like caramel, that enhance the spice in the drink. 

A list of hot winter cocktails would be incomplete without a classic Irish coffee recipe. Follow these instructions to create a traditional rendition sweetened with brown sugar and topped with a layer of cream. The four-ingredient cocktail comes together quickly, making it easy to make for one or scale up for groups.