11 Best Winter Cocktail Recipes for Chilly Evenings

If you love snuggling up in front of a crackly fire when the weather turns chilly, join us in celebrating winter with our tasty selection of the best winter cocktails. ‘Tis the season for nostalgic wintery flavors and drinks with all the spice to warm us up from the inside out. Our winter drinks are the perfect way to enjoy the season with friends.

1. Irish Coffee

Let’s face it; an Irish Coffee is fabulous any time of the year! But there’s something so special about sipping this whisky cocktail on a wintery night by firelight. We love whiskey (especially Wild Turkey) and we love coffee. When sweetened with a little brown sugar and topped with lightly whipped cream, it’s mmmm with every sip! This classic cocktail makes the perfect after-dinner drink or nightcap.

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2. Mulled Wine

When it comes to making cocktails, the simpler, the better, right? Our Easy Mulled Wine recipe (aka Glühwein) is as tasty as it is warming. It’s served on Après Ski drinks menus worldwide for good reason! It’s budget friendly, great to make in a batch and takes almost no effort at all. Just simmer red wine with some spices, a cheeky shot of brandy, a slice of fresh orange or clementine and little sugar.

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3. Hot Buttered Rum

Rum lovers, gather round. If you haven’t tried this epic hot buttered rum drink, you haven’t lived! Creamy, sweet and rich, this cozy cocktail is best enjoyed after a long country walk. So delicious, we recommend making a batch to avoid running out of refills. The base mixture is easily made with baking spices, whipped into a mix of butter and brown sugar. Yum! Then, all that’s left to do is pour your favorite rum (we love the caramel Appleton notes) and top up with boiling water to melt it all to perfection. You’re welcome!

More hot sip inspo: All the Hot Rum Cocktails You Will Ever Need

4. Hot Toddy

Simple big-batch winter cocktails don’t come any easier (or cozier) than our classic Hot Toddy. It’s a hug in a mug cocktail and simple to whip up for a crowd. A mixture of honey, spice and bourbon make it all things nice! If bourbon isn’t your vibe, it’s just as delicious with rum and cognac. Or make it with your favorite spirits, break the rules – it’s how the best cocktails were created.

5. White Russian

A White Russian is a classic flip cocktail. A fortified wine or liquor shaken with a whole egg or cream, and sweetened with sugar. Call it favoritism, but we think a White Russian is one of the best cocktails to enjoy when it’s white outside. Made with a creamy mixture of coffee liqueur, a premium vodka like SKYY Vodka and a proper heavy cream, a White Russian yields a dreamy, creamy drink that warms from your toes to your nose.

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6. Hot Apple Cider Cocktail

Looking for a simple cocktail that’s easy to make and has all the cozy feels? Our Hot Apple Cider recipe is not only a cinch to pull together, it’s jam packed with all the comfort flavors we crave in winter. A combination of honey, lemon and spices, mixed with the warmth of apple cider and whiskey. What’s not to love?

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7. Eggnog Martini

Calling all eggnog fans. We see you, we hear you! We bring you the best kind of Martini for the winter holidays. This seasonal spiced Eggnog Martini cocktail is a mix of vanilla vodka and amaretto liqueur with spicy cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s Christmas in every sip. A perfect excuse to ditch dessert; enjoy this rich, sweet drink around the Christmas tree while sneakily trying to figure out which gift is yours!

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8. Whiskey Sour

Bring all the glitz and glamor with our sophisticated Whiskey Sour. It may be one of the oldest cocktails in the world, but Grandpa drinks are so on trend right now. This iconic cocktail is made with only three ingredients: top shelf bourbon (you can’t go wrong with an Appleton), a simple syrup and bitters. Add more pizazz with an egg white to create the iconic white foamy top. Cocktail level pro? Check! Impressing the guests? Check!

How to: Your Guide To Making Egg White Cocktails The Easy Way

9. Jack Frost Cocktail

If Elsa from Frozen were to pick a cocktail, our money’s on it being a Jack Frost cocktail. The words Jack Frost are synonymous with icy cold weather. Our mischievous cocktail is one of the most popular winter vodka drinks out there, and our wintery cocktail list wouldn’t be complete without it. This icy-looking drink is a tropical combo of blue curaçao (triple sec or orange liqueur), pineapple juice and creamy coconut with a vodka or rum base.

More winter vodka recipe: 7 Effortless Winter Vodka Cocktails for Easy Entertaining

10. Peppermint Martini

If you’re looking for a sweet and creamy cocktail that’s minty and fresh, a Peppermint Martini is the one to try! To make one, shake up an ounce of crème de menthe or peppermint schnapps with ½ ounce of Skyy Vodka, 1½ ounces of a delicious chocolate liqueur or crème de cacao and 1½ ounces of heavy cream. Pour this magic combo into a chilled martini glass and you’re ready to go! If you’re in the mood for a little fun, add a crushed candy cane rim. Dip the edge of the martini glass in grenadine before dipping it top down in crushed candy cane.

11. Christmas Negroni

Let’s add some flair and put a festive spin on our favorite Negroni. It’s so simple to make a Christmas Negroni – infuse your favorite gin with wintery spices overnight (or up to three days if you have the patience and time). We’d recommend an O’ndina Gin. Its bitter orange and lemon botanical base is the perfect synergy for our cocktail infusion. Make your friends and family this special cocktail this December, and we’re sure Santa will add you to the nice list!

More festive inspo: 9 Best Christmas Cocktails You Can Make This December