Colder weather and longer nights are almost perfect for drinking cocktails. Of course, cold and refreshing summer drinks won’t hit the same in the winter, so it’s a great opportunity to switch up your cocktails of choice to reflect the changing seasons.
To give you some inspiration, here are some of our favorite winter cocktails to make (and drink) in front of the fire.
1. Spiced Cranberry Margarita
Sure, a margarita is almost the epitome of a summer drink, but you can make it wintery by changing up the flavors. The basic ingredients remain the same – then add cinnamon and cranberry juice for an extra kick. It’s a longer drink than a traditional margarita, but it’s just as enjoyable.
2. Tanqueray Almond
The Tanqueray Almond is a cocktail in the most literal sense, although it’s incredibly simple to make. You just combine gin and almond liqueur with bitters in a glass, and you’re done. Although it’s not warming in the same way as other winter cocktails, it perfectly embodies seasonal flavors.
3. Mulled Wine
How could we write a list of winter cocktails and not include mulled wine? At the most basic level, it’s wine and brandy with some spice. But you can change up the recipe by swapping the brandy out for vodka, or the red wine for white. Finally, you could go in a completely different direction and make mulled cider.
4. Sugar Cookie Martini
This winter cocktail is perfect for those with a sweet tooth. It combines vanilla vodka and Irish cream liqueur with amaretto liqueur to replicate the flavors of sugar cookies. Mix the ingredients over ice in a shaker and then garnish with some candy sprinkles.
5. Cocoa Old Fashioned
The Cocoa Old Fashioned is a twist on a classic recipe that brings in the flavors of winter (in this case, cocoa). It follows a standard recipe but uses cocoa-infused bourbon. To make this, combine cacao nibs and bourbon in a mason jar for 3 or 4 days, and then make the recipe as normal.
6. Sloe Gin Fizz
Sloe gin is a classic British winter alcohol made by infusing sloe berries in gin. A Sloe Gin Fizz combines the gin with lemon juice, sugar and sparkling water to make a refreshing yet winter-themed cocktail.
7. Ginger Snap Martini
Although this takes a bit more preparation than a normal martini, it’s worth it if you like ginger snaps. Just muddle fresh ginger and spices in a cocktail shaker before adding vodka and amaretto liqueur. Shake well and strain, and you’ll end up with a drink that tastes almost exactly like ginger snaps!
Embracing Winter with Cocktails
Winter cocktails call for warming flavors reminiscent of Christmas and Thanksgiving. Experimenting with seasonal cocktails gives you a great opportunity to play with flavors you might not otherwise find in drinks. Hopefully, the recipes we’ve included here will give you some inspiration for discovering how you can include winter flavors in your favorite drinks.
Snuggle Up
We hope these winter cocktail recipes have inspired you to mix up some warmth and cheer. And don't forget to add a touch of fun to your barware collection with our new enamel pins - the Gingerbread Martini and Arctic Hot Toddy Enamel Pins - now available at Cocktail Critters. Happy sipping!