Growing up, a day filled with snowball fights and sledding ended with hot cocoa. As the mug cradled in my hands slowly allowed my fingers to thaw, the warm, sweet liquid flushed my cheeks and made me feel cozy. Now, much older, tiny marbits floating in cocoa are not my preferred warm beverage on chilly winter days. These hot cocktails bring the warmth one sip at a time.
Warm cocktails do not often get their due. While spiked coffees are simple concepts, a well-balanced, complex heating sipper is hard to create than another Tiki drink.
Changing temperatures influence a beverage’s flavor profile. Just like super cold drinks mute ingredients, scorching hot moments create issues, too. Finding that right moment of warm yet not burning ensures that the tastes bloom in a satisfying way.
Ready to Sip on Some Flavorful Hot Cocktails?
Dos Maderas Hot Buttered Rum
Many people have probably not enjoyed a Hot Buttered Rum in a long time. This version gets a boost from the Dos Maderas 5+5 Rum. With fig and raisin notes, the fruitiness paired with tropical spice adds complexity to the Spanish rum. If someone loves rum raisin ice cream, this Hot Buttered Rum recipe will become a favorite.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz. Dos Maderas 5+5 Rum
- 1 Tbsp. butter
- 1 tsp. Demerara sugar
- 1 pinch of cinnamon
- 1 pinch of nutmeg
Method:
- Build in a heated mug or Toddy glass. Add your butter, sugar and spices. Fill halfway with boiling water. Add your Dos Maderas 5+5 Rum. Top with hot water. Garnish with an orange peel studded with several cloves and some freshly grated nutmeg.
Warm Lambrusco Spritz
After all the hype over the Olympics, people are thirsty for more Italian food and beverages. Riunite Lambrusco is an unsung hero. While it is delightful on a bright summery day, this warm version is fun and flirty. Sometimes a little fun can make the wintry day more bearable.
Ingredients:
- 4 oz Riunite Lambrusco
- 2 oz Apple cider
- ½ oz Amaro (optional, for depth)
- ½ tsp Honey or Maple Syrup (optional, to taste)
- Garnish: 2 thin Orange Slices, 1 Cinnamon Stick and 2 Star Anise
Method:
- In a small pan or directly in your mug, warm the apple cider with the cinnamon stick and orange slice for 3–5 minutes on low heat. Stir in the honey/maple if using. Pour in the Lambrusco and amaro, then gently warm just until cozy (don’t boil). Serve warm, garnished with orange slices, star anise and cinnamon stick.
Mexican Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate always satisfies, but some versions can be a little juvenile. This hot cocktail captures the newstalgia vibe that is all over the food world. Combining the warm temperature with the varying spices, it is the beverage that soothes and satisfies at the first sip.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Partida Anejo Tequila
- 6 oz Hot Chocolate
- ½ teaspoon Ancho Chili Powder
- Pinch of Ground Cinnamon
- Garnish: Grated Cinnamon and Cinnamon Stick
Method:
- Heat hot chocolate in a pot. When heated, add ancho chili and ground cinnamon and stir until mixed. Pre-heat a mug with hot water. Heat a mug with hot water; pour out water, add spiced hot chocolate and Partida Anejo, and stir. Garnish with grated cinnamon and a cinnamon stick.
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