6 Easy Winter Drinks to Make When It's Too Cold to Go Out

by Jessica Klein on Jan 7, 2016 in Roundups

Why leave your cozy (read: tiny) apartment in the blistering winter chill to get a drink when you can achieve the same results (getting drunk) while staying at home? These six drinks can all be prepared at home with relative ease and, for the most part, ingredients you already have on hand. If you don’t have them, the walk to a liquor store and a corner market can’t be that far, and it will be well worth getting to stay inside for the rest of the evening.

Hot Toddy –
hot water or tea, whiskey, honey
The best cold remedy of the winter, the hot toddy is as easy to make as it is to drink. Just brew up some tea or heat up some water, add a shot (or more) of your favorite whiskey to a big, ol’ mug, and pour in some honey. Top it off with a lemon slice and some cloves. To get fancy, stick the cloves in a circular formation into your circular lemon slice and let it float.

Irish Coffee
coffee, Irish whiskey, Irish cream (optional)
Possibly one of the easiest, yet tastiest, drinks you can make at home, Irish coffee requires just a splash or two of whiskey and/or some Bailey's Irish Cream. This is a great way to wake up on the weekend when your building's heating system decides to take a break.

Hot Buttered Rum
dark rum, hot water, spiced butter
Though it's understandable to have a mental block about putting butter in a beverage, you will not regret doing it for the sake of this wintertime drink. To make it good, however, you have to be precise. We actually started using a Martha Stewart inspired recipe for this one. It involves making a spiced butter mixture first and mixing it with dark rum and hot water. To one stick of unsalted butter, add about half a cup of dark brown sugar, some grated orange zest, a little under a teaspoon of both ginger and cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg. Use a mixer, if you have one, to beat that together (if not, just make sure it’s thoroughly mixed), and add two tablespoons plus a shot of dark rum to a mug of boiling water.

Kahlua Hot Chocolate
hot chocolate, Kahlua, whipped cream (optional)

Literally just put Kahlua in your hot chocolate. If you have guests, add whipped cream and tiny chocolate flakes. You also won’t go wrong with an extra half shot of peppermint schnapps.

Eggnog
eggs, milk, cream, bourbon, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, sugar
Just because Christmas has come and gone, doesn’t mean your craving for eggnog has to be put on hold until next year. If you’re looking to serve around six people, start your easy (aka, cold) version of the drink by separating the yolks from the whites of four eggs, and then beating the yolks while slowly adding one third of a cup of sugar. Once the sugar has dissolved, you can mix in your three cups milk, one cup of cream, two shots of bourbon, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Lastly, use an electric mixer on the egg whites, adding a tablespoon of sugar as you do so. When this last mixture becomes stiff, add it to what you’ve already got and put it in the fridge before serving.

Hot Gin Punch
gin, red wine, lemon juice, orange slices, pineapple, spices
Feel free to call this one the Sangria of winter. Using equal parts gin and red wine (say, three cups each), add in some lemon juice, orange slices, and a handful or so of pineapple. Put in the requisite winter drink spices (cinnamon, cloves, and a pinch of nutmeg) and some honey (a couple shot glasses worth). You’ll want this to be pretty sweet, so throw in a couple teaspoons of brown sugar. Heat all of this together over a low flame until it’s as warm as you’d like it, 20 to 25 minutes should do.

Photo by The Drink Nation


Tags: Cocktails, Spirits
Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

For this exciting installment of Behind the Bar, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Liana Oster, the head bartender at Dante in New Yo...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 7, 2020
Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

PBR has launched their own whiskey. Let's keep an open mind and see what is inside this bottle....read more ›

by Carrie Dow Sep 24, 2019
The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

There's a new investigative series about one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the wine world....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Sep 13, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Store Rectangle
Try These Summer Cocktails This Season in D.C.

Try These Summer Cocktails This Season in D.C.

It's officially summertime in the city, and we can't think of a better way to cool off from DC's heat and humidity than with a cold, boozy cocktail in...read more ›

by Lanna Nguyen Jul 31, 2019
Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Scientists may have discovered a more environmentally friendly way to make one of the world's most popular spi...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jul 23, 2019
Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Negroni Week 2019 is June 24-30, so drink this classic cocktail for a good cause....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jun 19, 2019
What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

If you're taking an Uber, Lyft, or cab and feel unsafe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself....read more ›

by Nina Starner Jun 19, 2019
D.C.'s Best Wine Bars

D.C.'s Best Wine Bars

Whether you're a wino or a wine novice, DC is home to a number of wine bars perfect for casual sipping or for expanding your palate. ...read more ›

by Lanna Nguyen May 29, 2019
Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

This time on Behind the Bar, we spoke to Kat Corbo of The Study, who recently won Speed Rack 2019....read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 15, 2019
Where to Drink Outside in D.C. During Summer 2019

Where to Drink Outside in D.C. During Summer 2019

Patio weather has arrived! Grab your friends, stake a spot at the bar and take advantage of these outdoor spots for drinking and dining. ...read more ›

by Lanna Nguyen May 14, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close