One of my favorite treats on a Friday evening is enjoying a new cocktail at home. Often it's something as simple as a Gin and Tonic, but with the cold nights of February upon us, we've been turning to sipping warming liquors instead.
While highly subjective, I have a few favorites that I think are particularly nice for colder evenings. I like to mix some of these into an actual cocktail while others are great for sipping neat. To clarify, when I talk about winter liquors, there's literally no such thing. You may love sipping Calvados year-round, but there are a handful that are warming in ways that clear, clean liquors like gin or vodka just aren't. So here are a few of my favorites:
5 Favorite Winter Liquors:
1. Bourbon: I find myself reaching for brown liquors more than gin or vodka in the winter, and bourbon is my choice here. If you're new to bourbon or whiskey cocktails. a good place to start is A Sazerac, An Old-Fashioned or A Presbyterian.
2. Tuaca: With its characteristic citrus and vanilla notes, Tuaca is wonderful stirred into hot cider or hot chocolate.
3. Grand Marnier: An orange-flavored Brandy, Grand Marnier is often sipped neat or shaken into a variety of cocktails (usually featuring whiskey or bourbon). My favorite way to enjoy it is with a little club soda and an orange wedge.
4. Goldschlager:We don't own Goldschlager at home, but I'll occasionally order it when out on a cold evening. The Swiss cinnamon schnapps will warm you up in a heartbeat!
5. Calvados: This French apple-flavored brandy is a great one to have around. I like to experiment mixing it with cognac and sweet vermouth for a darker cocktail or sip it with a little port for a sweet, after-dinner treat.
What's your favorite winter-appropriate liquor?
Related: Cocktail Recipe: The Midwinter Warmer
(Image: Nancy Mitchell)
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I'm disappointed nearly all the drink recipes on AT are now alcoholic. Can we have some more for those of us who don't drink? (Sorry but not virgin either, I just like drink ideas).
I love Root! It's so warming and tastes great mixed with chai too. http://www.artintheage.com/spirits/root-now-in-stores/
I usually go for Irish whiskey in the winter. It mixes so well with hot drinks.
I may have to go find this Root liquor. Sounds like it would be good with sparkling water.
Bulleit bourbon is my favorite! I love it with some Fever Tree ginger ale and ice.
I can't get into Goldschlager. I love cinnamon, but every Goldschlager cocktail that I've had tastes like Big Red chewing gum (which I hate). Does anyone have a cocktail recipe that doesn't highlight Goldschlager's saccharine "nastiness?"
When ice fishing, Hot Damn. In northern Maine that's considered classy. FYI.
I'm with you on the brown booze for winter thing. I LOVE a Manhattan, but it's totally a winter drink for me.
We are gin lovers, and our latest acquisition is a bottle of old skool barrel aged gin. If nothing else, Valentine's Day wins for being a great excuse for a celebratory mid-week cocktial hour and a new bottle of booze to try out!