Alcoholic Drinks to Warm You Up

Alcoholic Drinks to Warm You Up This Winter

Forget about your heater and cozy blanket to try to keep warm. Instead, opt for a nice, toasty drink. Put down that cup of tea or traditional mug of coffee, because there are some better drinks out there that can heat you up from the inside out. These alcoholic drinks will keep you warm this holiday season.

• Sbiten

This drink is thought to have been created in Russia sometime in the 12th century. The alcohol in it can vary, but typically vodka or red wine is used. Other ingredients include honey, cardamon, cinnamon and ginger. This drink is good enough by itself that you can order it without alcohol.

Sbiten Recipe:

1/2 cup sugar
1/c cup honey
2 cloves
4 cardamom pods
3 slices fresh ginger
2 cinnamon stick
1 tsp lemon
1 tbls chopped fresh mint leave

Combine all ingredients with 1 quart water in a saucepan with a lid over medium heat; bring to a boil.  Cover. Turn off heat and steep for 15 to 20 minutes.  Strain & enjoy.  Can be refrigerated and reheated for up to 3 days.

• Il Bombardino (The “Bomb”)

Bombardino is popular in Northern Italy especially at ski resorts.  Combine equal parts of brandy and egg nog.  Translated as “bomb,” this winter cocktail will quickly warm you up.

Bombardino Recipe courtesy of Eataly

1.5 ounces brandy, such as Vecchia Romagna Brandy
3 ounces egg liqueur, such as Zabov Zabaglione
Whipped cream, to taste
Cinnamon, to taste

Warm the egg liqueur in a small saucepan. Pour the brandy in a glass mug.
When the egg liqueur is hot (but not yet at boiling point), slowly add it to the brandy. Stir well to combine.
Top the cocktail with a generous amount of whipped cream, and finish it with a sprinkling of cinnamon.

• Irish Coffee

This drink comes from, you guessed it, Ireland! Supposedly, airport restaurant chef, Joe Sheridan mixed coffee, Irish whiskey, whipped cream and brown sugar together when tired passengers got stranded at his airport during a storm. This drink quickly gained popularity due to its sweet, coffee taste with an extra little kick.

• Hot Buttered Rum

Rum can be pretty intense on its own. However, hot buttered rum is very tasty.  It’s made with sugar, butter and of course, rum. It’s heated up and served in a coffee mug. Dependent on where you go, some people do froth it with a milk steamer as well.

• Glogg

Glogg is a traditional Christmas beverage in Sweden.  It is wine spiced with cinnamon, cardamon, cloves & orange served hot. Some people put raisins or almonds at the bottom of the glass before pouring the wine so that they can eat them once the drink is finished.  A similar drink called Gluhwein is served in Germany which is red wine spiced with lemons, oranges & cinnamon.

Here is our favorite recipe for Glogg:

2 bottles of red wine
1 1/2 bottles of port
8 ounces of vodka
1/2 lb sliced dry figs
1/2 lb raisins
2 oranges (peeled & juiced) + 1 sliced for a garnish
2 tablespoons fresh ginger
1/2 cup sugar
8 cloves
3 cinnamon sticks

Heat on medium until it simmers.  Remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour.  Strain and then reheat when ready to drink.  Service in mugs and garnish with orange slice.

• Hot Toddy

There’s a good chance that you’ve at least heard of a Hot Toddy before. There are several theories surrounding its name. A popular one, that you will hear in Scotland quite a bit, is that it was named after Tod’s Wellspring in Edinburgh. The Irish also take credit for the Hot Toddy.  This drink is made with whiskey, honey, tea, water, orgeat syrup and spices like cinnamon. Not only can this drink warm you up, but it can help you get over the flu. You can also use bourbon or Irish whiskey if that is what you happen to have at home.

• Feuerzangenbowle

Although not served hot, this drink will certainly warm you up. Commonly found in Germany, Feuerzangenbowle (literally translates to “fire tongs punch,” is typically made with rum, vanilla, cardamom, almonds, star anise and oranges. Before it’s served it’s put in a punch bowl and a sugar cone is set on top and lit on fire. If you are looking for a memorable drink to serve at your holiday party, this is a good choice. It goes without saying, be very careful when mixing fire and alcohol.  Unless you have worked with this combination often, we suggest not making this at home and taking a Germany tour 2021 to try it there.

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