15 Winter Cocktails for Cozy Days and Festive Nights

When chilly temps sweep in, it’s time to get cozy and drink up!

Martha's eggnog on a tray — Credit:
decorvow Living

Brisk winds and long, darknights call for special kinds of refreshments. Sometimes, you need a winter cocktail spiked with bourbon or whisky to toast with or a party-ready sip like a perfect punch, dressed up with blood orange or pomegranate juices and rounded out with rum, cognac, or sparkling wine. Other times, what’s called for is a steaming mug of spiced cider, mulled wine, hot buttered rum, or a hot toddy. These cozy drinks have almost magical abilities to warm us from the inside out. We’ve gathered our favorite cold-weather drinks for all kinds of celebrations.

01 of 16

Spiced Hot Buttered Rum

hot buttered rum — Bryan Gardner

Featuring spicy homemade syrup infused with cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, and cayenne, this is a hot buttered rum to remember! Make a big batch of syrup and store it in the fridge so you can whip up this winter warmer anytime it strikes your fancy.

02 of 16

Champagne Fizz

Meredith Jenks

Searching for the perfect party cocktail that’s elegant and festive yet simple? You found it! Let candied ginger slices soak up the spicy intensity of Angostura bitters for a few hours, then simply drop into flutes of chilled Champagne.

03 of 16

Chai-Spiced Apple Cider

overhead of pot of chai apple cider on marble surface — The Ingalls

When it’s time to simmer up some spiced cider, why limit yourself to cinnamon sticks? The sweet, seductive spices of masala chai tea—ginger, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and black peppercorns—bring something special to your winter sipping.

04 of 16

Daniel Webster’s Punch

Meredith Jenk

Starring rum, sherry, Bordeaux, Champagne, and black tea, this proper party punch is a true classic that dates all the way back to the 19th century. The recipe calls for oleo-saccharum (Latin for “oil-sugar”), a common ingredient in centuries past, which is made by tossing lemon peels with sugar to extract the aromatic citrus oils, creating a flavor-packed syrup.

05 of 16

Martha’s Whiskey Sour

two whiskey sours and bottle of whiskey on wooden cutting board — Rachel Marek

One of Martha’s favorite celebratory drinks, she guarantees her whiskey sour will put a smile on all your guests’ faces. Don’t even dream of using a store-bought sour mix—this from-scratch whiskey sour recipe featuring orange and lemon juices is a million times more delicious. The candied orange garnish adds an extra touch of class and is surprisingly easy to make at home in your oven.

06 of 16

Negroni Sbagliato

Negroni Sbagliato — Mikkel Vang

In Italian it means "wrong" or "mistaken," but we think this sbagliato version of a negroni is just right. Swapping out the gin for prosecco turns this make-ahead cocktail into a lighter drink that’s just right for pre-dinner sipping.

07 of 16

Mulled White Wine

YunHee Kim

All the warmth and spice of a typical mulled red wine, with a lighter, brighter attitude (and fewer spillage worries, too!). Orange, cloves, star anise, and ginger make a beautiful complement to a medium-bodied white wine.

08 of 16

Irish Cream

irish cream — Mike Krautter

Cream, vanilla, and Irish whiskey … what’s not to love? Add a lil’ splash to your after-dinner or brunch-time coffee to make everything merry and bright. This homemade Irish cream also makes a great hostess gift.

09 of 16

Pernod-Bourbon Spritz

pernod bourbon spritz cocktail — Lennart Weibull

The bold personalities of bourbon and anise-scented Pernod liqueur are tamed by soda water for an aperitif that really wakes up your palate. If you enjoy absinthe, you can use it in place of the Pernod.

10 of 16

Martha’s Classic Eggnog

Eggnog Being Served in a Bowl — Bryan Gardner

You know this eggnog is a good thing when Martha’s been serving it at her holiday parties since the 1980s. No shortcuts here. In step one, fresh egg yolks and sugar mingle with the heady trio of bourbon, rum, and cognac. In step two comes the beating—of egg whites and whipped cream—to make the eggnog ethereally light and fluffy.

11 of 16

Mulled Blood-Orange Punch

John Kernick

Allspice, cinnamon, star anise, and cloves spend a whole day infusing their flavor into blood orange juice for a bold foundation to this festive punch. For a non-alcoholic cocktail, top the mulled juice with sparkling mineral water, or make things more spirited with the addition of vodka or sparkling wine.

12 of 16

Pomegranate-Champagne Punch

Nothing to peel or squeeze or brew for this easy big-batch party cocktail. Simply combine store-bought pomegranate juice with pear nectar, Grand Marnier, and sparkling wine, then serve over ice.

13 of 16

Ginger-Red Wine Spritzer

Romulo Yanes

Bright and spicy but also light and refreshing, that's this spritz, and it's just right for a winter party. Pinot noir meets ginger ale and cherry liqueur with delicious results.

14 of 16

Cinnamon Sour Cocktail

rosemary gimlet and bitter bee cocktail

A tasty twist on the whisky sour, this bourbon cocktail is made with an easy cinnamon syrup (sugar, water, and cinnamon sticks) that lends a warm, spicy flavor.

15 of 16

Cranberry Shrub

Cranberry Shrub Cocktail — David Malosh

This cranberry shrub is a versatile base for all kinds of winter drinks. Add seltzer and enjoy, or make a boozy version by spiking it with wine, gin, vodka, or vermouth.

16 of 16

Bourbon Hot Toddy

bourbon hot toddies with cinnamon and lemon — Bryan Gardner

Honey meets bourbon in this warming winter cocktail. It's spiced with cinnamon and cloves and is sure to warm you up.

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