The Best Way to Stay Warm Indoors
Snow is falling, temperatures are dropping, and we’re all settling in for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Snuggled up next to the fire or watching your favorite movies is the perfect time to enjoy a holiday cocktail! Whether you’re at home or renting a cabin in Black Hawk, we’ve put together a fun list of festive drinks to make. We’ve included drinks for fans of spice, fruit, and all flavors in between. Check out these cocktails and try them yourself!
Honey Hot Toddy Tea
Hot toddies don’t only need to be for helping a sore throat or a cold. Settle down with this medicinal and soothing cocktail, and feel free to mix it up with different tea or bourbon. The grilled lemon slice adds a whole new level to this classic cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 cup hot water or brewed tea (we like chamomile, but ginger and black tea work great too!)
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
- 1.5 oz bourbon
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 grilled lemon slice
Directions
- Heat up the water or brew your tea
- Remove tea bag
- Combine honey, bourbon, lemon juice, stir
- Finish with a grilled lemon slice garnish
To make grilled lemons, cut a lemon into thin, half-inch wheels. Fire up your grill or use a frying pan on the stovetop. Lay the slices flat on the grill and allow it to grill till it develops a charred crust on one side.
Mexican Hot Cocoa
Tequila and chocolate? Yes please. This adult recipe brings back the nostalgia of playing in the snow as a kid. After peeling off the snow pants and boots from sledding and snowball fights, warm up with this sultry cocktail.
Ingredients
- Dark chocolate hot cocoa
- 1.5 oz reposado tequila
- 1/4 oz agave nectar
- 1 pinch cayenne powder
- Marshmallows
Directions
Prepare the hot cocoa as the package instructs. Then stir in 5 oz hot cocoa, tequila, agave nectar, and cayenne powder (add more if you like it spicy). Garnish with as many mini marshmallows as you’d like.
Red Wine Mule
An unexpected but welcome addition to your next mule. Wine lovers will enjoy this holiday cocktail.
Ingredients
- 4 oz red wine (your choice here, but we recommend something soft like pinot noir)
- 1 oz vodka
- 1/2 lime
- 1/2 can ginger beer
- Crushed ice
Directions
Combine the wine, vodka, lime juice in your favorite copper mug. Top with ice and ginger beer. Garnish with a slice of lime.
Grapefruit Habanero Margarita
Who says that winter cocktails have to only be centered around winter spices? Remind yourself of summer with this spicy spin on a classic.
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila
- 3 oz grapefruit juice
- 1 oz Cointreau
- 1/4 habanero pepper, seeded
- Lime wedges
- Salt
Directions
Run a lime wedge around the rim of your class and dip in salt. Fill the glass with ice.
In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila and a few thin slices of habanero pepper. Muddle the peppers to release their spicy oils. Add the grapefruit juice, Cointreau, and ice. Shake and straight over ice. Garnish with lime wedge.
Rumchata Espresso Martini
Shake up your espresso martinis with the addition of Rumchata. This cream liqueur gives hints of cinnamon, vanilla, sugar, and cream, making it the perfect way to celebrate the holidays.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz Rumchata
- 1 oz freshly-brewed espresso (or homemade cold brew)
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Lemon twist for garnish
Directions
Combine vodka, Rumchata, espresso, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and shake well with ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a fresh lemon twist.
Coquito
Tired of seeing and drinking eggnog recipes every holiday season? Us too. Try this classic Puerto Rican holiday cocktail as a refreshing shake-up to the traditional eggy beverage. This makes a large batch. So create it and save it in the fridge for up to four days.
Ingredients
- 15 oz (1 can) cream of coconut
- 14 oz (1 can) sweetened condensed milk
- 12 oz (1 can) evaporated milk
- 12 oz dark rum
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Directions
Combine cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, rum, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a blender. Run on high until they are mixed well. Pour into a large pitcher and keep in your refrigerator. The longer it stays in the fridge, the better it gets as the ingredients get to know each other.
Shake well and pour over ice. Garnish with ground nutmeg, cinnamon stick, or ground cinnamon.
Applejack Sazerac
Instead of a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned, sip on the seductive, spicy flavor of the Applejack Sazerac. Plus, this drink is a fun one to make to impress your friends and family.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Rye Whiskey
- 1 oz Apple Jack Brandy
- 1/4 oz simple syrup
- Peychaud’s Bitters
- Angostura Bitters
- Lemon twist to garnish
Directions
Combine simple syrup, 2 dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters, 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters, whiskey, and brandy. Add a copious amount of ice, more than you think you need. Stir vigorously for about a minute or until everything is chilled and combined. Strain into rocks glass without ice. Garnish with lemon twist. Stirring is important. Do not shake this as you will build up foam, and nobody wants that in their Sazerac.
Wassail
A what? Wassail. Wassail is a Midwest favorite and usually a staple throughout the frigid months. It has a long history, and many families have their own recipes and traditions. Here’s how to make yours. This one is fun to get creative with as there are no wrong answers to changes you’d like to make. This recipe makes a large batch to serve at your holiday party.
Ingredients
- 6 whole allspice berries
- 12 whole cloves
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 12 whole white peppercorns
- 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 gallon fresh, high-quality apple cider
- 8 oz pineapple juice
- 8 oz orange juice
- 12 oz bourbon
- 1 cheesecloth and kitchen string
Directions
Wrap the allspice, cloves, cinnamon sticks, peppercorns, and ginger in the cheesecloth and tie. In a large stockpot, combine apple cider, pineapple juice, and orange juice. Place the spice pouch in the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes. The longer it simmers, the better it’ll taste.
To serve, put 1-2 oz of bourbon in a mug and fill with hot Wassail. Garnish with a lemon slice and cinnamon stick.
Prefer to leave the mixology to us? Check out our restaurant options here.