Winter is a fabulous excuse for self-indulgence. We’re cold, we’re tired from work and family obligations, and we’re either preparing for or decompressing from the holiday frenzy.
At least a few evenings should be set aside for relaxed revelry with festive drinks made from the highest quality ingredients.
In case you haven’t mixed any winter drinks for a while, we have some suggestions:
Mexican Hot Chocolate (serves 1)
- 2 oz Partida Añejo tequila
- 6 oz hot chocolate
- .5 bar spoon ancho chili powder
- Pinch of ground cinnamon
Add ancho chili and a pinch of ground cinnamon to hot chocolate mix and stir until they are mixed in. Pre-heat a hot toddy glass or mug with hot water. Pour out the hot water. Add spiced hot chocolate to heated glass, add the 2 ounces of Partida Añejo and stir. Garnish with cinnamon stick.
Winter Margarita
(serves 1)
- 1 oz reposado (slightly aged) tequila
- 1 oz mezcal (like Del Maguey Vida)
- 1 oz lime juice
- .75 oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white
Shake ingredients without ice, then shake again with ice. Strain into a coupe glass and serve up with a salted rim.
Apple Cinnamon Hot Toddy (serves 2)
- 2/3 cup superfine (bar) sugar
- 2/3 cup apple juice
- 4 cinnamon quills
- 2/3 cup apple pie liqueur
- whipped cream, to serve
- ground cinnamon, to dust
Place sugar in a medium heavy-based saucepan over high heat with 1 tablespoon of water. Cook, swirling pan, for 5-6 minutes or until golden and caramel. Using a metal spoon (and being careful of the steam), stir in 2 cups water and swirl pan until caramel and water are combined. Stir in apple juice and cinnamon quills, then stir in the liqueur.
Divide among glasses, spoon over whipped cream and dust with cinnamon to serve.
Yule Mule (serves 2)
- 4 oz vodka
- fresh-squeezed juice of 1 lime (about 1.5 ounces)
- 4 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
- 6 oz ginger beer
- 4-6 cranberries, for garnish
- rosemary sprig, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake together the vodka, lime juice and cranberry juice. Fill two copper mule mugs or old-fashioned glasses with ice. Strain half of the cocktail into each glass. Top each glass with ginger beer.
