Hot Drinks To Stay Warm This Winter

Hot, boozy drinks are everyone's favorite things in winter. So we've found a whole winter's worth of drinks to get you through dinner parties, quiet nights at home, and outdoor expeditions. These hot and spicy drinks will warm you up from the inside out. It's time to invest in some good glassware because these hot mixed drinks are a must-try!

Rose Milk Tea

Ingredients:

• 4 cups whole milk
• 3 Tbsp dried rose petals, plus more for topping
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-2 drops pink food coloring, optional
• 1 cup high-quality white chocolate chips or 6 oz. white chocolate bar, roughly chopped
• Whipped cream, for topping
• Mini marshmallows, for topping

Instructions:

• Add milk and rose petals to a saucepan set over low heat. Let mixture come just to a simmer and then remove from heat and cover. Let sit for about 30 minutes to infuse rose flavor into the milk.
• Pour the milk through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, leaving rose petals behind. Stir in vanilla and pin food coloring, if using.
• Pour mixture back into the saucepan over low heat. Add in white chocolate and stir until chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Be sure not to let the mixture come to a boil.
• Divide white hot chocolate between 4 mugs and top with whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and additional rose petals.

Warm Mulled Wine

Ingredients:

• 1 (750-ml bottle) medium-bodied red wine, such as Zweigelt
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 8 whole cloves
• 4 lemon wedges
• 4 (4″-sticks) cinnamon

Instructions:

• Bring ingredients to a boil, stirring occasionally, in a 4-qt. saucepan and remove from heat. Discard cloves.
• Ladle wine into 4 glasses and garnish each with 1 of the cinnamon sticks and 1 lemon wedge. Serve hot.

Hot Toddy

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces Wild Turkey American Honey
• 2 lemons
• 12 ounces water

Instructions:

• So how did we make this hot toddy easier than a normal one? We just cut out the honey by using honey-flavored bourbon, yum!
• Start by gathering your ingredients and tools (we used a tea kettle but you could easily just microwave or boil the water instead).
• Boiling water is the longest part of the process, so go ahead and get that going first.
• Meanwhile, prep your lemons. You’ll want one quartered and another one thinly sliced for garnish.
• Then measure one ounce of honey bourbon into each cup.
• By now your water should be boiling. Go ahead and fill ‘er up with three ounces.
• Add a little more flavor with a squeeze from one lemon wedge.
• Top with thin lemon slices for garnish and you’re done! You can even serve it on a tray like a boozy tea time.

Slow-Cooker Mulled Rieslin

Ingredients:

• 2 bottles Riesling
• 1 1/2 ounces Galliano
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 2 apples
• 1 pear
• 1 grapefruit
• 2-inch knob of ginger
• 1-3 teaspoons honey

Instructions:

• Add Riesling and Galliano to your slow cooker, and set the cooker on high.
• Cut apples and pears in half, using a melon baller to remove any seeds from the core. Slice them into 1/4 inch rounds. Add the pear and apple slices to the slow cooker.
• Peel the ginger using a spoon. Thinly slice it, and add it to the slow cooker.
• Using a vegetable peeler (we’ve found that Y-peelers work best for this), remove the zest from half a grapefruit in long strips, being careful not to get any of the white pith. If your strips do have a white pith attached, remove it using a paring knife (too much will cause your Riesling to taste bitter).
• Add the grapefruit zest, cinnamon sticks, and honey to the slow cooker. Stir the mix, put the cover on your slow cooker, and let simmer for an hour.
• After an hour, the mulled Riesling is ready to serve! You can set the slow cooker to warm to keep things toasty for the duration of your party. If you start to run out, just keep adding more Riesling to the slow cooker — the apples, pears, and other ingredients will continue to infuse the wine with flavor. Add more honey to taste as necessary.

Vegan Hot Cocoa

Ingredients:

• 1 can coconut milk
• 2 cups unsweetened soy milk (or dairy-free milk of your choice)
• 2 cups hot water
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/3-1/2 cup sugar, to taste
• 1 ounce chopped dark chocolate
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
• vegan whipped cream, for topping
• vegan marshmallows (like Dandies), for topping
• edible gold luster dust, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• Add all ingredients to a slow cooker, then whisk vigorously until all of the cocoa powder is mixed in.
• Set slow cooker to low. Let the cocoa cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Serve immediately, or set your slow cooker to warm, and let guests serve themselves during your party. Provide vegan whipped cream and marshmallows for topping. Garnish with edible gold luster dust.

Spiked Lattes

Ingredients:

Peppermint Mocha

• 1 packet Starbucks Via instant coffee
• 1/2 cup water
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons Peppermint Mocha Kahlua
• Whipped cream garnish
• Crushed candy canes or peppermints for garnish

Gingerbread Latte

• 1 packet Starbucks Via instant coffee
• 1/2 cup water
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons gingersnap-flavored vodka
• Whipped cream garnish
• Crushed gingerbread cookies stick for garnish

Eggnog Latte

• 1 packet Starbucks Via instant coffee
• 1/2 cup water
• 3/4 cup eggnog
• 2 tablespoons bourbon
• Whipped cream garnish
• Nutmeg for garnish

Instructions:

• Bring water to a boil and add Starbucks Via or other instant coffee. Set aside.
• Warm milk and/or eggnog. Be careful not to scorch!
• Mix coffee and your milk or eggnog. Don’t forget to add the alcohol :)
• Divide each mixture between glasses.
• Top with whipped cream…
• Don’t forget to add a little garnish.
• Enjoy your kicked-up Starbucks holiday latte! 

Hot Buttered Rum

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 ounces unsalted butter, softened
• 1-2 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• spiced rum
• boiling water

Instructions:

• Add the softened butter to a mixing bowl with the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cream together until well combined.
• Add a dollop of the spiced butter to a glass or mug, and add a good dash of rum. Fill the glass with boiling water, and stir well until the butter has completely melted. You can adjust the quantities of butter, rum, and water depending on your preference.
• Add the softened butter to a mixing bowl with the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cream together until well combined.
• This spiced butter can be stored in the fridge so it’s ready to go whenever you fancy making a hot buttered rum. You can use it for other things too (it’s great as a spread on a bagel!).
• Add a dollop of the spiced butter to a glass or mug, and add a good dash of rum. Fill the glass with boiling water, and stir well until the butter has completely melted. You can adjust the quantities of butter, rum, and water depending on your preference.
• To make your hot buttered rum feel extra festive, serve it with a cinnamon stick for stirring.
• And the only other thing that can make hot buttered rum even better? Whipped cream! If it’s good enough for hot chocolate, it’s good enough for hot rum.

Have a warm and cozy winter ;)