Warm Up with Creative Winter Cocktails

Long winter nights always feel cozier with cocktails. Here are some recipes that offer creative twists on our old-school favorites. Pair them with candlelight or a roaring fire for a beautiful evening with your closest friends – or just the two of you.

TOBY’S TODDY

Using cognac and rum together adds deeper flavor, making this version a little subtler than your father’s hot toddy. The result is a warm, sippable cocktail that doesn’t hit you over the head.

• 1 ounce cognac
• 1 ounce aged rum
• 1 ounces lemon juice
• 1 ounces simple syrup
• 5 dashes bitters

Add ingredients to 3 ounces of boiling water in a mug. Garnish with a cinnamon stick. Add a lemon wheel studded with cloves if you like.

NEW YORK SOUR

This traditional whiskey sour turns into something special when you float red wine —Côtes du Rhône or Beaujolais – on top. The rich aromatics give this version a wonderful wintry appeal.

• 2 ounces bourbon
• ¾ ounces lemon juice
• ¾ ounces simple syrup
• Red wine (for float)

Shake the bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice and strain into a double old- fashioned glass over ice. Top with a light float of red wine on top and enjoy.

WINTER MARGARITA

Just like a classic margarita, but with an egg white. Here, the mixologist splits the base between reposado tequila and mezcal. The resulting cocktail has its native summer flavors, but with more body and a hint of smoke from the mescal.

• 1 ounce reposado (aged) tequila
• 1 ounce mezcal
• 1 ounce lime juice
• ¾ ounce simple syrup
• 1 egg white

Shake ingredients without ice and then shake again with ice. Strain into a coupe glass with a salted rim.

COGNAC FRENCH 75

No need to skip cool, refreshing drinks in winter. Simply adjust the ingredients give them seasonal appeal. By swapping the gin for the silkier flavors of the cognac, this cocktail becomes a more wintry version of itself.

• 1 ounce cognac
• ½ ounce lemon juice
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• Splash of sparkling wine

Shake the cognac, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into a Champagne flute, and top with Prosecco or other dry sparkling wine. Finish with a lemon twist.

GOOD TIDINGS

Cranberry and allspice in this recipe give you all the winter flavors and scents, but it drinks like a tall, easy Collins.

• 1 ½ ounce Vodka
• 1 ounce Cointreau
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 1 ounce cranberry juice
• 1 bar spoon of allspice dram (liqueur flavored with allspice berries)

Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a Collins glass over ice and top with soda water. Finish with a lemon wheel studded with cloves.

FABULOUS WINTER PARTIES START WITH JERRY’S KITCHEN

Getting friends and family together this season? The catering pros at Jerry’s Kitchen can help you plan an awesome celebration. Book our award-winning food trucks – or work with our catering services team to arrange a classic feast with all your wintertime favorites.

To arrange catering services for your private or corporate event near Doylestown or Philadelphia, get in touch with us now.

Source

Esquire.com