Mixer Weekend: 3 Winter Warmer Drinks

Image via Salons.com

Ah yes, it’s that time of year again. The leaves have fallen off the trees and the temperatures will soon get down to below freezing. What better way to stave off the cold than some winter warmer drinks? These drinks pack a punch and will definitely help keep the cold at bay.

Gluhwein

image via SimplyRecipes

I had my first taste of Gluhwein when I was in Germany visiting my godparents. Gluhwein roughly translates to glow wine for the hot irons that were used for mulling. Here in the states we know this as mulled wine. It’s a delicious treat that’s great for parties and a good to transform a cheap bottle of red wine into something more. Perfect winter warmer for those of more “sophisticated” tastes.

Ingredients (serving size = 6)

• 3/4 cups of orange juice
• 1/3 cup of sugar (or more to taste)
• 1-2 cinnamon stick
• 1 orange
• 5 whole star anise
• 10 whole cloves
• 1 bottle of red wine

• Saucepan
• pre-warmed wine glasses
• Cheesecloth
• Kitchen string

Directions

1. Combine orange juice, sugar and cinnamon stick in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer.
2. Cut orange in half and squeeze juice into the simmering orange juice. Put orange peel, star anise and cloves into cheesecloth and secure tightly with string.
3. Simmer until the mixture is thick and syrupy, about 30 minutes.
4. Pour in wine and heat until steaming. Do NOT simmer the wine as this will lower the alcohol content. Remove cheesecloth.
5. Pour gluhwein into pre-warmend wine glasses.

Ginger Hot Toddy

image via saveur

There’s nothing quite like a hot toddy when it’s cold outside or when you have a cold. Sure you’re not supposed to be drinking when you’re sick, but the warm water,  honey and lemon make it seem like it’s good for you. I like adding a bit of ginger for an extra kick, but it’s not necessary. My favorite winter warmer, probably because of the whiskey.

Ingredients

• 2 oz of whiskey
• 1 tbs honey
• 1 lemon wedge
• 3 whole cloves
• 4 oz of hot water
• 1 tsp of ginger

Equipment

• Glass mug
• tea kettle

Instructions

1. Heat some water in the tea kettle until it is hot but NOT boiling.
2. Squeeze a little bit of the lemon wedge into the mug and add the whiskey, honey and ginger.
3. Push the whole cloves through the fleshy part of the lemon wedge and add the whole wedge into the mug.
4. Fill the mug with hot water and enjoy. You can add more lemon of desired.

Adult Hot Chocolate

image via Fabulous & Frugal

Nothing says winter quite like hot chocolate. While the normal swiss miss packages are usually ok for me, sometimes I want something a bit more decadent. It might take a little patience to make this hot chocolate, but it’s totally worth it at the end.

Ingredients 

• 2 oz of good quality chocolate (60% cacao is best)
• 1/2 cups of whole milk or cream
• 1 oz of bailey’s irish cream
• 1 oz of vanilla vodka

Equipment

• saucepan
• mug
• cutting board
• knife
• whisk
• whipped cream (if desired)

Directions

• Chop chocolate into small pieces so that they will dissolve in liquid.
• Heat up milk in a small saucepan on low heat until milk is simmering. Whisk once to ensure milk does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
• Add chocolate to pan and whisk vigorously until the chocolate is melted.
• Add the bailey’s irish cream and vodka. Heat for another four minutes, constantly stirring.
• Pour into mug and add some whip cream if desired.