Recipes

Winter Cocktail Recipes

Warm cocktails, festive classics and modern winter serves — from hot toddies and mulled wine to spirit-forward apple-and-spice drinks. Every recipe lists measures in millilitres, with clear steps and serving notes.

Hot Apple Gin bottle and serve, photographed by Hot Apple Gin Family Co.
Warm Gin Cocktails

Hot Apple Gin

How to serve Hot Apple Gin — the warm gin-based apple & spice drink. Stemmed glass, gentle warmth, apple, cinnamon. Plus the moments and occasions where it lands best.

Total 5 minutes
A warm Aperol Spritz in a stemmed glass with an orange slice and a star anise
Modern Winter Serves

Warm Aperol Spritz

A warm winter take on the Aperol Spritz — there is no single recipe. Aperol with warm orange (and sometimes apple) juice and a top of prosecco, with honest notes on variants and why it divides opinion.

Total 6 minutes
A small glass of thick golden advocaat dusted with cocoa powder.
Warm Cocktails

Advocaat

The rich Dutch egg liqueur, gently whisked with brandy and vanilla until thick and custardy, served warm in a small glass with a dusting of cocoa.

Total 15 minutes
Allspice rum warmer in a heatproof mug with cinnamon stick and lemon peel
Spiced Cocktails

Allspice Rum Warmer

A rich dark rum mug spiked with allspice dram and warm apple juice, finished with lemon and a cinnamon stick for a cosy winter sip.

Total 7 minutes
An apple brandy hot toddy in a heatproof mug with a cinnamon stick and a slice of apple.
Warm Cocktails

Apple Brandy Hot Toddy

A mellow hot toddy built on apple brandy, with honey, fresh lemon and hot water, infused with a cinnamon stick and a slice of crisp apple.

Total 5 minutes
Two heatproof mugs of amber Austrian punsch garnished with orange slices and a cinnamon stick.
Warm Cocktails

Austrian Punsch

A warming Alpine punch of dark rum and strong black tea, brightened with citrus and gentle spice — a classic of Austria's Christmas markets.

Total 15 minutes
A glass of warm Dutch bisschopswijn beside a clove-studded orange and cinnamon sticks.
Mulled Drinks

Bisschopswijn

The Dutch bishop's wine, a gently spiced mulled red traditionally warmed with a clove-studded orange, cinnamon and star anise for a fragrant festive glass.

Total 20 minutes
Black Russian cocktail in a rocks glass with a large ice cube and dark coffee liqueur swirl
Festive Classics

Black Russian

A short, dark sipper of vodka and coffee liqueur over ice — bold, smooth and perfect for quiet winter evenings.

Total 2 minutes
A heatproof glass of warm golden bombardino topped with whipped cream and dusted with cocoa.
Warm Cocktails

Bombardino

The Italian après-ski favourite: warm advocaat enriched with brandy, crowned with softly whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa for a decadent slope-side treat.

Total 10 minutes
Bourbon cranberry punch in a heatproof mug with orange slice and floating cranberries
Winter Punches

Bourbon Cranberry Punch

A warming bourbon punch with cranberry juice, fresh orange and lemon, brown sugar and cinnamon. Easy to serve warm or chilled for a winter crowd.

Total 20 minutes
Coupe glass of pale brown brandy alexander with a dusting of freshly grated nutmeg
Festive Classics

Brandy Alexander

A silky after-dinner classic of cognac, dark crème de cacao and double cream, shaken hard and finished with freshly grated nutmeg.

Total 5 min
A large pan and heatproof mugs of British wassail with roasted apples floating among cinnamon and ginger.
Mulled Drinks

British Wassail

A traditional English wassail of warm ale and cider with roasted apples, a splash of sherry and gentle spice — the very drink of midwinter celebration.

Total 30 minutes
Cardamom gin fizz in a tall highball glass with lemon twist and green cardamom pod garnish, soft winter light behind.
Spiced Cocktails

Cardamom Gin Fizz

A bright, aromatic fizz built with gin, fresh lemon and homemade cardamom syrup, topped with soda for a lightly warming, perfumed winter highball.

Total 5 minutes
Chai spiced old fashioned in a rocks glass with a single large ice cube, orange twist and cinnamon stick, warm amber colour.
Spiced Cocktails

Chai Spiced Old Fashioned

An old fashioned built with bourbon and a homemade chai syrup of cardamom, clove, cinnamon and ginger, finished with orange peel over a single large ice cube.

Total 5 minutes
Champagne punch in a glass bowl with citrus slices, raspberries and a block of ice
Winter Punches

Champagne Punch

A cold festive punch of champagne and brandy with fresh citrus, sugar and bright fruit, served from a chilled glass bowl for a winter celebration.

Total 1 hour 15 minutes
A glass of homemade Christmas eggnog dusted with freshly grated nutmeg
Christmas Cocktails

Christmas Eggnog

A classic homemade Christmas eggnog with silky custard, dark rum and bourbon, finished with freshly grated nutmeg over the top.

Total 4 hours 25 minutes
Warm Christmas punch in a heatproof bowl with apple slices, orange slices and cinnamon
Winter Punches

Christmas Punch

A warming Christmas punch of dark rum and brandy with fresh citrus juice, brown sugar, warming spices and apple slices, ladled from a heatproof bowl.

Total 25 minutes
A Christmas Spritz in a wine glass with cranberries, rosemary and orange peel
Christmas Cocktails

Christmas Spritz

A festive spritz of prosecco, elderflower liqueur and cranberry topped with soda, finished with a rosemary sprig and fresh berries.

Total 5 minutes
Cinnamon margarita in a rocks glass with a cinnamon-sugar rim, lime wheel and cinnamon stick garnish over a large ice cube.
Spiced Cocktails

Cinnamon Margarita

A reposado-led margarita with fresh lime, agave and a homemade cinnamon syrup, finished with a glittering cinnamon-sugar rim for a warm winter twist.

Total 5 minutes
Cinnamon old fashioned in a heavy rocks glass with a large clear ice cube, orange peel and cinnamon stick garnish.
Spiced Cocktails

Cinnamon Old Fashioned

A warming winter take on the old fashioned, built with bourbon, homemade cinnamon syrup and a perfumed strip of orange peel over a single large ice cube.

Total 5 minutes
Clove bourbon sour in a coupe glass with foamy top, marbled bitters pattern, lemon twist and clove garnish.
Spiced Cocktails

Clove Bourbon Sour

A winter-leaning whiskey sour built with bourbon, fresh lemon, homemade clove syrup and a few dashes of Angostura for warm, balanced depth.

Total 5 minutes
Danish glögg served in a heatproof glass with raisins and blanched almonds
Mulled Drinks

Danish Glögg

A warming Danish glögg with red wine, akvavit, brown sugar and warm spices, finished with raisins and blanched almonds.

Total 30 mins
Fennel gin sour in a coupe with foam, bitters dots and a fennel frond
Spiced Cocktails

Fennel Gin Sour

A silky gin sour built around homemade fennel-honey syrup, fresh lemon and an optional egg white, finished with a fennel frond garnish.

Total 15 minutes
A pan of spiced red wine with a flaming rum-soaked sugarloaf dripping caramelised sugar into it.
Mulled Drinks

Feuerzangenbowle

A dramatic German mulled wine where a rum-soaked sugarloaf is set alight, dripping caramelised rum into spiced red wine below.

Total 25 minutes
Fish House Punch in a glass bowl with lemon slices over a large block of ice
Winter Punches

Fish House Punch

A heritage Philadelphia punch of dark rum, brandy and peach brandy stretched with strong black tea, lemon and sugar over a single block of ice.

Total 12 hours 30 minutes
Ginger old fashioned in a rocks glass with a single large ice cube, orange peel twist and a piece of candied ginger on a pick.
Spiced Cocktails

Ginger Old Fashioned

A bracing winter old fashioned made with bourbon or rye, fresh ginger syrup, Angostura bitters and a piece of candied ginger over a single rock of ice.

Total 5 minutes
A small glass of dark Nordic glögg with raisins and blanched almonds settled at the bottom.
Mulled Drinks

Glögg

The Nordic mulled wine, richly spiced with cardamom and cinnamon and served with plump raisins and blanched almonds for a true taste of Scandinavian winter.

Total 25 minutes
A heatproof glass of dark mulled beer with an orange slice, cinnamon stick and cloves.
Mulled Drinks

Glühbier

A German mulled beer made with dark beer or bock, warmed with honey, cinnamon, clove and orange for a malty winter warmer.

Total 15 minutes
A glass mug of deep-red glühwein with an orange slice, cinnamon stick and star anise
Mulled Drinks

Glühwein

The classic German mulled wine — red wine gently warmed with orange, cinnamon and clove. The defining drink of the Christmas market.

Total 40 minutes
A heatproof glass of vanilla ice cream topped with hot raspberry sauce and whipped cream.
Warm Cocktails

Heisse Liebe

A playful Alpine dessert drink of cold vanilla ice cream under hot raspberry sauce, spiked with vodka and crowned with whipped cream.

Total 13 minutes
A Holiday Mule in a frosted copper mug with rosemary, cranberries and lime
Christmas Cocktails

Holiday Mule

A festive twist on the Moscow Mule with vodka, fiery ginger beer, cranberry juice and lime, served ice cold in a frosted copper mug.

Total 15 minutes
A heatproof glass of warm apple brandy with cloudy apple juice, a cinnamon stick and an apple slice.
Warm Cocktails

Hot Apple Brandy

Calvados folded into warm cloudy apple juice with honey, cinnamon and clove — a rich, orchard-scented warmer with the brandy added off the heat.

Total 11 minutes
A stemmed glass of warm alcohol-free Hot Apple Gin 0.0 with an apple slice and cinnamon
Alcohol-Free Winter Drinks

Hot Apple Gin 0.0

How to serve Hot Apple Gin 0.0 — the 0.0% twin of the original, built from the same long search for a properly balanced warm apple & spice serve, without the alcohol.

Total 5 minutes
A mug of hot buttered rum topped with grated nutmeg and a cinnamon stick
Warm Cocktails

Hot Buttered Rum

A rich, old-fashioned warmer — dark rum and hot water enriched with a spiced butter batter that melts into something silky and comforting.

Total 10 minutes
Two mugs of rich mint hot chocolate topped with cream and a fresh mint sprig.
Warm Cocktails

Hot Chocolate with Mint

A rich, velvety hot chocolate scented with fresh peppermint and finished with cream — a comforting cool-and-cosy treat for winter evenings.

Total 13 minutes
A hot gin and tonic in a heatproof mug with a rosemary sprig and juniper berries.
Warm Gin Cocktails

Hot Gin and Tonic

A warming twist on the G and T, with gin, tonic syrup and hot water in place of fizz, lifted with lemon, juniper and fragrant rosemary.

Total 5 minutes
A warmed glass of amber hot gin punch with a piece of pineapple and a dusting of nutmeg.
Warm Gin Cocktails

Hot Gin Punch

A Dickens-era warmer of gin and Madeira lifted with lemon, pineapple and spice, gently heated into a fragrant punch made for sharing on cold nights.

Total 20 minutes
Hot Irish cocoa in a heatproof mug topped with whipped cream and a dusting of nutmeg
Warm Cocktails

Hot Irish Cocoa

A rich hot Irish cocoa made with Irish whiskey, real dark chocolate and warm milk, finished with whipped cream and a dusting of nutmeg.

Total 10 mins
Heatproof mug of hot rum and butter with melting spiced butter batter and a cinnamon stick
Warm Cocktails

Hot Rum and Butter

A rich, velvety winter warmer made with dark rum, hot water and a spoonful of spiced butter batter that melts into a silky finish.

Total 8 min
Small heatproof cups of warm spiced sake with ginger slices and a star anise.
Warm Cocktails

Hot Spiced Sake

Warmed sake infused with fresh ginger, star anise and yuzu, sweetened with a little honey — a clean, aromatic winter warmer with an East Asian accent.

Total 10 minutes
A steaming hot toddy in a glass mug with a lemon wheel and cinnamon stick
Warm Cocktails

Hot Toddy

The classic warm whisky cocktail with honey, lemon and spice — soothing, simple and built for cold nights.

Total 8 minutes
A hot whisky sour in a heatproof mug with a cinnamon stick and lemon slice.
Warm Cocktails

Hot Whisky Sour

A warming twist on the classic, with whisky, fresh lemon, honey syrup and hot water finished with cinnamon, no egg required.

Total 5 minutes
An Irish coffee in a stemmed glass with a clean float of cream on top
Warm Cocktails

Irish Coffee

Hot coffee, Irish whiskey and brown sugar under a float of softly whipped cream — the definitive after-dinner warmer.

Total 5 minutes
A heatproof mug of dark Austrian Jägertee with a lemon slice and cinnamon stick.
Warm Cocktails

Jägertee

The Austrian Alpine warmer of strong black tea and overproof rum, spiced with cinnamon and clove and brightened with lemon, a robust drink for the slopes.

Total 13 minutes
A heatproof mug of brandy hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa.
Warm Cocktails

Lumumba

A rich hot chocolate laced with brandy and crowned with softly whipped cream, a classic continental warmer for cold nights.

Total 13 minutes
Warm Mezcal cocktail in a tumbler with floating orange wheel and faint steam
Modern Winter Serves

Mezcal Warmer

Smoky mezcal meets warm orange, agave and a whisper of chilli in this short, spirit-forward winter cocktail with a long, lingering finish.

Total 8 minutes
Heatproof glass of mountain grog with a lemon wheel, cinnamon stick and cloves
Après-Ski Drinks

Mountain Grog

A bracing alpine grog made with dark rum, hot water, fresh lemon and brown sugar, spiced with cinnamon and clove for an honest cold-weather drink.

Total 5 min
A mug of warm mulled apple cider with a floating apple slice and cinnamon stick
Mulled Drinks

Mulled Apple Cider

Warm spiced apple cider — orchard-sweet, fragrant with cinnamon and clove, and easy to make alcoholic or alcohol-free.

Total 25 minutes
Warm mulled cider punch in a mug with apple slices, cinnamon and star anise
Winter Punches

Mulled Cider Punch

A warmed cider punch with dark rum or brandy, fresh orange, cinnamon, cloves, star anise and brown sugar, ladled steaming from a heatproof bowl.

Total 35 minutes
Mulled port in a small heatproof glass with orange peel and star anise
Mulled Drinks

Mulled Port

A rich mulled port with orange, cinnamon and star anise for a deep, fortified winter drink.

Total 20 minutes
Heatproof glasses of pale pink mulled rosé wine with orange slices, star anise and a vanilla pod.
Mulled Drinks

Mulled Rosé Wine

A lighter, paler take on mulled wine, gently spiced rosé with orange, vanilla, cardamom and star anise — fragrant, delicate and a little unexpected.

Total 20 minutes
A pan and glass of mulled wine with orange zest, cinnamon sticks and bay leaves
Mulled Drinks

Mulled Wine

The English Christmas classic — red wine warmed with citrus, sugar and winter spice, often lifted with a measure of brandy or port.

Total 35 minutes
Nutmeg rum flip in a small wine glass with a thick foamy top and freshly grated nutmeg dusted across the surface.
Spiced Cocktails

Nutmeg Rum Flip

A classic rum flip built with aged rum, a whole egg, fine sugar and a generous shower of freshly grated nutmeg for a silky, custardy winter cocktail.

Total 5 minutes
Creamy white Peppermint Martini with red and white candy cane rim and a small candy cane on the side
Christmas Cocktails

Peppermint Martini

A creamy festive martini with vodka, peppermint schnapps and white crème de cacao, served with a crushed candy cane rim for full Christmas drama.

Total 5 minutes
Saffron gin cocktail in a tall highball glass with a golden hue, lemon twist and two saffron threads floating on top.
Spiced Cocktails

Saffron Gin Cocktail

A warming Persian-influenced highball with gin, homemade saffron-honey syrup, fresh lemon and soda, finished with a few delicate threads of saffron.

Total 20 minutes
Sidecar cocktail in a sugar-rimmed coupe glass with lemon peel garnish
Festive Classics

Sidecar

A polished, citrus-forward classic — cognac, Cointreau and fresh lemon shaken to a frost and served in a sugar-rimmed coupe.

Total 4 minutes
A sloe gin hot toddy in a heatproof mug with a cinnamon stick, cloves and a lemon slice.
Warm Gin Cocktails

Sloe Gin Hot Toddy

A fruity, warming toddy built on sloe gin with a splash of London Dry, balanced with lemon and honey and spiced with cinnamon and clove.

Total 5 minutes
Smoking Bishop punch in a glass mug with a roasted clove-studded orange slice
Winter Punches

Smoking Bishop

A Dickens-era warmed punch of ruby port, red wine and roasted clove-studded oranges, sweetened with sugar and seasoned with allspice.

Total 13 hours 5 minutes
Highball glass of pale yellow snowball cocktail with a maraschino cherry
Festive Classics

Snowball Cocktail

A retro Christmas classic of advocaat, lime juice and sparkling lemonade, finished with a maraschino cherry for a sweet, nostalgic festive serve.

Total 3 min
A bowl of warm spiced gin punch with cinnamon sticks, star anise and orange slices.
Warm Gin Cocktails

Spiced Gin Punch

A warming gin punch for a crowd, with cloudy apple juice, lemon and sugar steeped with cinnamon, clove and star anise, then gently warmed in a bowl.

Total 25 minutes
A ruby-red spiced Negroni over a large ice cube with a twist of orange peel.
Warm Gin Cocktails

Spiced Negroni

A winter twist on the classic Negroni, with gin, sweet vermouth and Campari rounded out by a touch of cinnamon-orange spiced syrup and a fragrant orange peel.

Total 5 minutes
A spiced old fashioned in a rocks glass over a large ice cube with an orange peel garnish.
Warm Cocktails

Spiced Old Fashioned

A festive old fashioned built on bourbon or rye, cinnamon-spiced sugar syrup and Angostura bitters, stirred over ice with a flamed orange peel.

Total 5 minutes
Heatproof mugs of warm spiced pear cider with star anise, cinnamon and a slice of pear.
Mulled Drinks

Spiced Pear Cider

Warm perry mulled with cinnamon, star anise, vanilla and fresh ginger — a fragrant, mellow alternative to apple cider, soft and gently sweet.

Total 17 minutes
Mugs of warm spiced rum punch with orange slices, cinnamon sticks and whole cloves.
Warm Cocktails

Spiced Rum Punch

A warming punch of spiced rum, apple and orange juice and citrus, mulled with cinnamon, clove and allspice — generous, fruity and made for sharing.

Total 17 minutes
A mug of thick spiked hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and grated chocolate
Warm Cocktails

Spiked Hot Chocolate

Deep, glossy hot chocolate made with real dark chocolate and a measure of your favourite spirit — the ultimate grown-up winter treat.

Total 10 minutes
Star anise rum sour in a coupe glass with a thin lime wheel and whole star anise pod resting on top, warm amber colour.
Spiced Cocktails

Star Anise Rum Sour

A dark rum sour with bright lime, homemade star anise syrup and a few dashes of Angostura, delivering a fragrant, lightly liquorice winter cocktail.

Total 5 minutes
Swedish glögg in a small heatproof glass with raisins and almonds
Mulled Drinks

Swedish Glögg

A classic Swedish glögg with red wine, aquavit or vodka, cardamom, cinnamon, raisins and almonds.

Total 30 minutes
Glass mug of Swiss mulled wine with star anise, orange peel and a cinnamon stick
Après-Ski Drinks

Swiss Mulled Wine

A fragrant Swiss take on mulled wine with red wine, warm spices and citrus peel, finished with an optional splash of kirsch for an alpine edge.

Total 20 min
Steaming mug of Tirolean Jägertee with a clove-studded lemon slice and cinnamon stick
Après-Ski Drinks

Tirolean Jägertee

A bold Austrian après-ski classic combining overproof rum, strong black tea and plum brandy with citrus and warm spices for a powerful winter pour.

Total 10 min
A heatproof mug of frothy Tom and Jerry topped with grated nutmeg.
Warm Cocktails

Tom and Jerry

The festive American classic: a warm, frothy egg batter spiked with dark rum and brandy, topped with hot milk and finished with freshly grated nutmeg.

Total 13 minutes
A heatproof glass of Italian vin brûlé with orange peel, a cinnamon stick and star anise.
Mulled Drinks

Vin Brûlé

The Italian take on mulled wine, warmed with cinnamon, clove, star anise, citrus peel and a bay leaf for a fragrant winter classic.

Total 20 minutes
A glass of deep-red French vin chaud garnished with an orange slice and cinnamon stick.
Mulled Drinks

Vin Chaud

The classic French mulled red wine, gently warmed with citrus and warming spices for a fragrant, comforting glass on a cold winter evening.

Total 20 minutes
A warm amaretto sour in a heatproof mug garnished with a lemon slice and a maraschino cherry.
Warm Cocktails

Warm Amaretto Sour

A cosy warm amaretto sour, with almond-rich amaretto, fresh lemon and honey lengthened with hot water and finished with lemon and a cherry.

Total 5 minutes
Warm bramble gin in a heatproof glass with fresh blackberries floating on top
Warm Gin Cocktails

Warm Bramble Gin

A warm bramble gin with crème de mûre, fresh lemon and honey, finished with fresh blackberries for a fruit-forward winter serve.

Total 5 mins
A warm elderflower gin cocktail in a heatproof mug with a lemon twist.
Warm Gin Cocktails

Warm Elderflower Gin

A delicate warm gin cocktail with floral elderflower cordial and warm apple juice, brightened with lemon and gently heated for a fragrant winter cup.

Total 10 minutes
A heatproof glass of golden warm mead with an orange slice, cinnamon stick and cloves.
Warm Cocktails

Warm Mead

Honey wine warmed gently with orange, cinnamon and clove — a mellow, golden winter warmer with ancient roots and an easy, comforting character.

Total 11 minutes
A heatproof glass of warm ruby port and lemon with a cinnamon stick and a slice of lemon.
Warm Cocktails

Warm Port and Lemon

A soothing winter warmer of ruby port and hot water with lemon, clove and cinnamon — a gentle, old-fashioned alternative to the hot toddy.

Total 10 minutes
A heatproof glass of golden wassail with baked apple and a cinnamon stick.
Mulled Drinks

Wassail

The traditional British spiced cider punch with baked apple, brown sugar and warming spices, a fragrant bowl steeped in midwinter custom and good cheer.

Total 30 minutes
Rocks glass of white russian with cream floating on dark coffee liqueur over ice
Festive Classics

White Russian

The classic three-ingredient cocktail of vodka, coffee liqueur and double cream, built over ice in a rocks glass for a smooth, indulgent serve.

Total 3 min
Festive Winter French 75 in a tall champagne flute with a long lemon twist
Modern Winter Serves

Winter French 75

A festive French 75 with gin, lemon and a cinnamon-clove syrup, topped with champagne for a celebratory winter sparkler that still drinks dry.

Total 15 minutes
Winter Moscow Mule in a copper mug with cranberry juice, cinnamon stick and lime wheel
Festive Classics

Winter Moscow Mule

A seasonal twist on the copper-mug classic — vodka, ginger beer and tart cranberry, warmed up with a cinnamon stick and a fresh squeeze of lime.

Total 3 minutes
Warm Winter Paloma in a stemmed glass with salted rim and grapefruit twist
Modern Winter Serves

Winter Paloma

A cold-weather twist on the Mexican classic: warm grapefruit, cinnamon syrup and tequila served in a stemmed glass with a salted rim.

Total 8 minutes
Warm winter rum punch in a mug with orange slices, lime slices and a cinnamon stick
Winter Punches

Winter Rum Punch

A warmed spiced rum punch with fresh pineapple and orange juice, lime, grenadine and cinnamon. A Caribbean-leaning bowl for cold winter nights.

Total 25 minutes