Now that the dog days of summer are a hazy memory with sunny days and endless patios closed for the season, it’s time to turn our attention towards crisp fall days. While we’re missing the cold and fruity drinks of the summer, we’re ready to buckle down and get cozy with some festive fall and winter cocktails. There’s something soothing and comforting about a cocktail devised for the colder months. By making a few simple swaps, you can take your cocktail game to the next level.
Whether you’re curled up in front of the TV with a snuggly blanket or preparing a punch fit for a fancy holiday party, we’ve rounded up some of the most delicious cocktails based on these liquors for the colder months ahead:
1. Cognac
Cognac is a variety of brandy that’s named after a town in France. The main difference between brandy and cognac is that cognac must be made in the Cognac region and brandy can be made anywhere else, much like the difference between champagne and sparkling wine. To enjoy cognac as a cocktail, we suggest mixing up a sidecar, perhaps one of the most popular of the cognac cocktails. Ingredients and directions:
- 1 oz cognac
- 1 oz orange liqueur
- 0.5 oz lemon juice
- Simple syrup to taste
- Combine ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker, shake until chilled, strain into a cocktail glass with a sugared rim.
2. Bourbon
Bourbon, also known as American whiskey, is made with at least 51% corn mash, which gives the spirit an impression of sweetness. For an afterwork cocktail, we recommend an old fashioned, one of the oldest cocktails and to make it cold-weather appropriate, we’re adding some homemade winter spiced simple syrup. The spicy simple syrup is made by simmering simple syrup with spices like cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Ingredients and directions:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 0.5 oz winter spiced simple syrup
- 2 to 3 dashes of orange bitters
- 2 to 3 dashes of aromatic bitters
- To make, stir the ingredients with ice, strain into a rocks glass, and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
3. Aged rum
Rum is a spirit that’s been distilled from sugar cane and aged rum is darker in color than it’s unaged counterparts. It’s typically associated with tropical locals, but it’s known for its warming abilities, which makes it perfect for a cold weather cocktail. The ideal after work drink comes in the form of a dark and stormy cocktail that’s super simple to make at home. Ingredients and directions:
- 2 oz dark rum
- 4 oz ginger beer
- Combine liquids in a tall glass over ice and garnish with a lime wedge.
4. Tequila
If you thought margaritas were only a summer drink, then prepared to wowed because there is a winter version of this summertime favorite. A winter margarita is similar to a regular margarita with a twist—an egg white. Ingredients and directions:
- 1 oz silver tequila
- 1 oz mezcal
- 2 oz lime juice
- Simple syrup to taste
- 1 egg white
- Shake ingredients together with ice, strain into a coup glass, and serve with a salted rim and lime wedge for garnish.
5. Sparkling wine
Nothing screams holiday something bubbly, like champagne or sparkling wine. Since not all of us have champagne budgets (am I right?), we recommend making the switch to a sparkling wine (i.e., cava or prosecco) to get the same bubbly effect. Sparkling wine tastes amazing on its own, but it’s even better in a holiday-themed cocktail, like a candy cane lane. Ingredients and directions:
- 4 oz sparkling wine
- 1 oz peppermint vodka
- Chocolate chips
- Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, crush candy canes into small pieces, dip the rim of a champagne flute in the melted chocolate then roll in the crushed candy canes, and combine the liquid ingredients in the prepared flute.
6. Blended scotch
A blended scotch is a mix of malt and grain whiskies that have been sourced from different distilleries. They also happen to be a bit cheaper in price than single malts, but that doesn’t mean that this type of scotch doesn’t pack its own punch. Take the classic Rob Roy cocktail, which is basically a Manhattan, but made with a blended scotch. Ingredients and directions:
- 2 oz blended scotch
- ¾ oz sweet vermouth
- 3 dashes angostura bitters
- Add ingredients to a mixing glass over ice, stir, strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with two brandied cherries.
7. Vodka
Last, but certainly not least, is the clear distilled vodka, originating in Poland and Russia. This versatile liquor goes well in so many cocktails that it can be hard to know where to start. Since, you’re not here for a boring cocktail recipe, we’ll skip the screwdrivers and go right into a more complicated cocktail that requires a bit of preparation. The cranberry cobbler cocktail is a fun twist on the traditional cobbler, which is typically made with wine, sugar, and fruit. Ingredients and directions:
- 1.5 oz vodka
- ½ oz off-dry Sherry
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- ¾ oz spiced-cranberry cordial
- Combine ingredients in a shaker, add ice, shake thoroughly, strain into a double old-fashioned glass, garnish with rosemary and cherry.
