10 Cocktail Recipes To Explore In Winter

As temperatures dip and the days become shorter, now is the perfect time to stay in and enjoy some delicious winter cocktails. From cosy classics like hot toddies and mulled wines to modern takes on timeless favourites like Irish coffees, there’s a winter cocktail for everyone. 

So, grab your favourite mug or shaker and let us help you explore these delicious sips!

10 Cocktail Recipes to Explore in Winter

We’ve rounded up our top 10 recipes that will make your winter extra special — a mix of hot drinks and cold cocktails with warming flavours so you can get comfy holiday vibes no matter how low it gets outside. Whether you’re indulging in a cozy hot toddy or shaking up a spirited cold cocktail, consider incorporating the exceptional taste of Benchmark Whisky for a touch of sophistication and unparalleled quality in your winter libations.

Hot Toddy

Ingredients:

• 60 ml bourbon or whiskey
• 30 ml honey
• 15 ml lemon juice
• Hot water
• Cinnamon stick
• Lemon wheel

A hot toddy is quick and easy to make, not to mention, delicious. Simply combine bourbon or whiskey, honey, and lemon juice in a mug. Add hot water and stir, then garnish with a cinnamon stick and lemon wheel to serve for the perfect winter cocktail. 

Mulled Wine

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of red wine
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 sliced orange
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 whole cloves
• 3-star anise

To make mulled wine, you combine red wine, honey, sliced orange, cinnamon stick, cloves, and star anise in a pot. Heat until warm, but not boiling. You then serve this cosy treat in mugs and enjoy.

Spiked Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of milk (or milk alternative)
• 1/2 cup chopped chocolate.
• 30 ml of your favourite liqueur (such as Baileys, Kahlua, or Amaretto)
• Whipped cream

For the perfect treat on a cold day, heat milk in a saucepan then adds chopped chocolate and stir until melted. Once the milk and chocolate are mixed together add liqueur and stir. Serve in a mug with whipped cream for a truly decadent winter cocktail. 

Irish Coffee

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coffee
• 30 ml Irish whiskey
• 1 tsp. brown sugar
• Whipped cream

Coffee lovers will adore this warm winter cocktail. Start by brewing coffee and pouring it into a mug. Add Irish whiskey and brown sugar, and then top it all off with some whipped cream. 

Cranberry Orange Margarita

Ingredients:

• 60 ml tequila
• 30 ml cranberry juice
• 30 ml orange juice
• 15 ml lime juice
• Salt
• Orange slice

To make a cranberry orange margarita, combine tequila, cranberry juice, orange juice, and lime juice in a shaker. Shake with ice and strain into a glass rimmed with salt, then add an orange slice to garnish. 

Maple Bourbon Sour

Ingredients:

• 60 ml Bourbon
• 30 ml lemon juice
• 15 ml maple syrup
• Lemon slice

For a winter cocktail that is sure to warm you up on a chilly evening, try a maple bourbon sour. In a shaker, combine bourbon, lemon juice, and maple syrup, then shake with ice and strain into a glass over ice. Garnish with a lemon slice for a hit of freshness and enjoy.

Apple Cider Sangria

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of white wine
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1 sliced apple
• 1 sliced orange
• 1 cinnamon stick

An apple cider sangria is simple to make and results in a delicious winter cocktail. In a pitcher, combine white wine, apple cider, brandy, sliced apple, sliced orange, and a cinnamon stick. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving. 

Peppermint White Russian

Ingredients

• 60 ml vodka
• 30 ml coffee liqueur
• 30 ml peppermint schnapps
• Cream

Add a twist to a classic white russian with peppermint. In a shaker, combine vodka, coffee liqueur, and peppermint schnapps. Once you’ve shaken the ingredients together, strain into a glass over ice, and then top it off with cream. 

Winter Spiced Gin and Tonic

Ingredients:

• 60 ml gin
• 120 ml tonic water
• 15 ml lemon juice
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Rosemary sprig

If gin and tonic is your go to beverage, then you’ll love winter spiced gin and tonic during the colder season. In a glass, combine gin, tonic water, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir and garnish with a sprig of rosemary to complete this cocktail.

Eggnog Mart

Ingredients:

• 60 ml eggnog
• 30 ml vanilla vodka
• 30 ml amaretto liqueur
• Cinnamon sugar
• Nutmeg

Eggnog is often synonymous with this chilly season, but why not go for something a little extra and use it in a cocktail? Rim a glass with cinnamon sugar, then in a shaker, combine eggnog, vanilla vodka, and amaretto liqueur. Shake with ice and strain into the rimmed glass. Topping this cocktail off with a sprinkle of nutmeg will make for a deliciously warming drink. 

Enjoy a Warming Cocktail This Winter

Overall, the choice of cocktails to explore during wintertime is truly unique. From the creamy goodness of eggnog to the warmth of mulled wine, each drink brings its special twist to the colder season. 

To avoid the hassle of buying the ingredients and mixing, you can always get premixed alcohol so you can stock up and have them on hand whenever you want to whip up a cocktail. Paramount Liquor offers a wide range of premix alcohol products, so you can have everything you need on hand to make some delicious winter cocktails.