It's officially October and with it comes the season of school, sniffles, sweaters, and spiced-pumpkin everything. Yes - Thanksgiving isn't that far away! But don't let the drop in temperature get you down. Cold season and sweater weather have their benefits too, namely, the chance to diversify your beverage options by adding a heated element. Alcohol already has a longstanding relationship with cold weather, it definitely makes you feel warmer, but these delicious warm beverages will literally turn up the heat so you can cozy up with a cocktail in your favorite knitted sweater. And don't worry, we're leaving the pumpkin-spice to Starbucks.
Warm Indian "Summer is Really Over?" Cocktail
Apples and cinnamon are already an autumn staple, adding alcohol to the mix makes this beverage a must-have.
Pour 6 ounces of hot apple cider with 2 ounces of your favorite apple liqueur into a cinnamon-rimmed glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, for added fall flair.
Hot Butter and Bundled Up Rum
Butter makes everything better, including rum.
Muddle/Cream together 1 pat of butter, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, cinnamon, a dash of vanilla extract and nutmeg at the bottom of a glass. Pour in 2 ounces of dark rum followed by hot water.
Honey, It's For My Sore Throat Toddy
Honey + bourbon + hot water + lemon = sore throat remedy quadfecta. If anyone asks, this recipe is purely for medicinal purposes as the seasons change and the sniffles wreak havoc on your sinuses..
Dissolve 1 tablespoon of honey into hot water. Add 2 ounces of bourbon and a twist of lemon over the glass. Stir with a cinnamon stick.
Kahlua Koffee
Sad about the weather being too cold to suck down iced coffees? There's a kure for that.
Pour two parts Kahlua (or any coffee-flavored liqueur) per three parts coffee. Add milk or cream as desired. Boozy Bonus: Drizzle in a cream liqueur like Bailey's for an added kick.
Whiskey Warm Chocolate
Okay. It's not that cold yet, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a "warm" hot chocolate while waiting for it to get snowy enough for eggnog and peppermint hot chocolate.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon sugar, and a hint of salt together; add in 3/4 cup of milk, 1 ounce of milk chocolate chips, and 1 ounce of bittersweet chocolate, stirring constantly until mixture is well-blended and hot. Remove from heat and whisk together with 1 ounce Irish whiskey and 1 ounce Bailey's. Garnish with chocolate shavings.
Once the snow comes and its freezing outside, nothing like some fire water from a flask to keep you warm. Don't underestimate it's medicinal values!
