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These warming winter cocktails perfect for cold weather, from classic hot toddies and mulled wine to cranberry whiskey sours. These cozy drinks will warm you from the inside out!
‘Tis the season for warm mugs, cozy spices, and robust liquors like bourbon and rum. I’ve spent years testing cocktails (over 300 cocktail recipes at this point), and winter cocktails hold a special place in my repertoire.
Winter drinks are less about refreshment and more about comfort. There’s everything from the classic hot toddy, mulled wine, and spiked hot chocolate, to cocktails that warm you from the inside out like a bourbon Old Fashioned. Here I’ve rounded up my favorite winter drinks starring seasonal flavors like cranberry, apple, pear, pomegranate, coffee, Baileys, and chocolate: which makes a delicious list of favorites!
Top Winter Cocktails
This fruity twist on the classic whiskey sour has bright, tart cranberry flavor that cuts through the bourbon beautifully. The combination of fresh orange juice, lemon, and 100% cranberry juice creates layers of complexity that make every sip interesting, and maple syrup adds a subtle sweetness.
This variation improves on the standard Aperol spritz with cranberry juice for deeper color and flavor. The sweet-tart cranberry contrasts Aperol's bitterness and adds a bright red hue that makes this perfect for holiday gatherings.
Need a warming drink for winter? Try the Hot Toddy! To be honest, this is less of a winter cocktail and more like a boozy cup of tea to warm your spirits. Pour boiling water over a shot of bourbon, then top off with lemon and spices. It’s perfect for sipping on chilly evenings.
What better winter cocktail than a batch of Mulled Wine? Make up a big pot, and it fills your kitchen with a warming aroma of toasted allspice and cinnamon. This recipe is just sweet enough, balancing the bold fruity wine with mulling spices, citrus, and oak and vanilla notes on the finish.
There’s nothing better at taking the chill off than homemade Spiked Hot Chocolate! This mug of liquid cocoa is rich and creamy, with an intense depth in chocolate flavor. A hint of aged rum or bourbon, and it gives it a warming complexity with notes of vanilla and oak.
This winter spin on the margarita is seriously cozy: the Apple Cider Margarita! It’s tangy and balanced: the zingy tequila and lime pairs beautifully with the sweet cider. Top it off with a cinnamon sugar rim, and every sip is a delight. Make the pitcher variation if you’re serving a crowd.
If you appreciate bourbon, the Old Fashioned is the ultimate winter sipper. This classic combination of bourbon, sugar, bitters, and orange peel is simple but sophisticated. It lets the whiskey's vanilla and oak flavors shine with just enough enhancement to make each sip sublime.
Here’s a winter cocktail that’s ideal for sipping by the fire on a chilly evening: Hot Buttered Rum! This historic drink has been around for centuries. My spin is subtly sweet, cozy-spiced with cinnamon and allspice, and spirit-forward with boozy dark rum.
The pear martini is a unique winter cocktail, where fresh muddled pear brings brightness while pear vodka adds aromatic intensity. Balanced with lemon juice and simple syrup, it's a delicate, sweet martini that surprises everyone who tries it.
When it comes to entertaining, the Moscow Mule is pretty ideal. It’s tangy and refreshing, easy to make right into the mug, and everyone always loves it. This winter spin with cranberry juice has has loads of sweet tart flavor, balancing crisp cranberry with tangy lime and spicy ginger.
This signature winter cocktail is creamy and minty fresh, a tasty combination of peppermint schnapps and chocolate liqueur. It’s perfect for the holidays or anytime you're craving minty freshness. Cozy up with one by the fire, or drink it as a fun Christmas cocktail with appetizers.
This winter cocktail is great for gatherings and side benefit: it makes your kitchen smell amazing! The rum complements the cinnamon, cloves, and star anise perfectly. It's very easy to make and the perfect hot cocktail to warm your hands over.
Here’s a warming winter cocktail to put on your to-drink list: Baileys Hot Chocolate! It’s got the best deep chocolaty flavor, accentuated by the chocolate and vanilla notes with the fruity finish of Irish whiskey. Serve this sweet hot alcoholic drink anytime you need a wintery pick me up: it’s great for the holidays or a snow day.
This apple sangria is made the traditional Spanish way, like my Classic Red Sangria, which means it’s tart and wine-forward instead of loaded with sugar like American versions of the drink. As a winter variation, this one features lots of apples and a hint of cinnamon.
Here’s a fun winter cocktail that’s ideal for any whiskey lover: try the Apple Cider Old Fashioned! Swapping out the sugar for apple cider syrup infuses fruity, spiced seasonal flavor into this classic drink. Each sip has notes of apple and orange, cinnamon and spice, and vanilla and oak. If you’re in the mood for a boozy showstopper, this is the drink for you!
Ingredients: Apple cider syrup, Angostura bitters, bourbon or rye whiskey, orange peel
Looking for a stunning wintery cocktail that’s sweet and creamy? Try this Peppermint White Russian! In fact, this spin on the classic might be even more fun than the original. It’s got a bright, minty finish that melds into the Kahlua and cream perfectly. It’s fast and easy to swirl together in a lowball glass, and it’s a total crowd pleaser.
Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua, peppermint schnapps, heavy cream or milk
Want an easy winter cocktail? Try Apple Cider and Whiskey! These two ingredients go hand in hand, the spicy whiskey complimenting the sweet tart cider perfectly. Make it as a lowball cocktail with big chunks of clear ice, or opt for hot spiked cider spiced with cinnamon and cloves.
This variation on the classic Hot Toddy is uniquely warming, featuring the fruity, sweet flavor of brandy with apple and cinnamon. Adding hot water opens up the flavor of the liquor so you can appreciate the complexity in each sip. Also try Rum Hot Toddy or Apple Cider Hot Toddy.
Irish coffee is a classic winter cocktail! There’s nothing more warming than that classic combination of bitter coffee, buttery whisky and frothy whipped cream.
This fruity cocktail pairs cider with sweet and spicy bourbon for a sophisticated drink. It’s got a hint of lemon and a surprise ingredient that rounds out the flavors into a meld that’s intriguing, complex, and easy to drink.
Want an easy way to step up your White Russian? Using Baileys Irish cream instead of heavy cream adds even more sophistication to this classic drink. In fact, it tastes like a Mudslide, which also features Kahlua and Baileys.
Want to browse by liquor type? Go to Winter Gin Cocktails or Winter Vodka Cocktails.
Tips for Making Winter Cocktails
- Choose quality spirits: Winter cocktails often highlight a base spirit, so using good bourbon, rum, or whiskey can make a noticeable difference. I typically reach for mid-price bottles.
- Use warming spices: Cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and allspice are ideal in cold-weather drinks to add aromatic warmth.
- Don’t skip fresh citrus: Even in winter cocktails, fresh-squeezed lemon and orange juice provide brightness: never used bottled juice!
- Batch for parties: Many winter cocktails like mulled wine and spiked cider work well in large batches, making entertaining easier.
21 Winter Cocktails to Try
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This cranberry orange whiskey sour is a tasty spin on the classic cocktail! Cranberry juice adds a tart fruity finish to the drink.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink
- Category: Drink
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 ounces whiskey (we prefer bourbon)
- 1 ounce fresh-squeezed orange juice
- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ¾ ounce unsweetened cranberry juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup or maple syrup
- Clear ice, for serving
- Orange wheel or twist, cocktail cherry, cranberries or rosemary sprig, for garnish
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Add a handful of ice and shake until very cold.
- Add ice to a lowball or Old Fashioned glass and strain the drink into the glass. Garnish with an orange slice, cocktail cherry or fresh cranberries, and rosemary sprig (if desired).
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More Winter Recipes
Try these, or add a sweet with
- 20 Winter Dinner Ideas
- 15 Hot Drinks to Take the Chill Off
- 20 Easy Winter Desserts
- Tasty Winter Salad Recipes
- Top 10 Hot Alcoholic Drinks
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