Winter Warmers

It's December, and we are finally feeling the cold weather of winter.  While Mixologists like my self will still enjoy a well made Margarita or Caipirinha any time of the year, the rest of the population tends to take comfort in warmer libations.  So in the spirit of winter, here are some recipes that should keep you warm until the spring.

Hot Toddy
- 2 oz Irish Whiskey
- 0.75 oz lemon juice
- 0.25 oz honey
- Boiling Water

- Add Whiskey, lemon, and honey to teacup
- Top with hot water
- Gently stir to incorporate all ingredients
- Garnish with cinnamon stick, nutmeg, and lemon wheel

 

The Hot Toddy has been a home remedy for anything that ails you for centuries.  While it's origin and creator maybe unknown, one thing is for certain, it is a delicious way to warm the soul on a cold winter night.  As timeless as the Hot Toddy is, here is a slightly modern take on this classic.

Mornings in Normandy 

- 2oz Calvados

- 0.75 oz Lime Juice

- 0.25 Honey

- Hot Apple Cider

- Add Calvados, lime juice and honey to teacup

- Top with Hot Apple Cider

- Gently stir to incorporate all ingredients

- Garnish with cinnamon stick, and thinly slicked apple wheel

If you are looking for more of festive flavor, and not the physically warming effects of the toddy, give these drinks a try.

Autumn Old-Fashioned

- 1 oz Cognac

- 1 oz Cruzan Single Barrel

- 2 Dashes Boker's Bitters

- 0.25 oz Spiced Pumpkin Beer Syrup *

- Orange Zest

- Add orange Zest to the bottle of mixing glass

- Muddle orange zest with back end of bar spoon to extract oils

- Add all remaining ingredients to mixing glass

- Add ice to mixing glass

- Stir for 30 seconds

- Strain into rocks glass with one large ice cube

- Garnish with one cinnamon stick

Root-Beer Flip

- 2 oz Sazerac 6 Year old

- 0.5 oz Honey Cinnamon Syrup **

- 2 Dashes Bitter Truth Aromatic Bitters

- 1 Whole Egg

- 1.5 oz Philips Sarsaparilla

- Add all ingredients (except beer) to cocktail shaker 

- Dry Shake

- Add ice and shake

- Strain into chilled brandy snifter

- Top with Philips Sarsaparilla and nutmeg

If you don't live in B.C. and can't get Phillips Sarsaparilla, feel free to experiment with other sesanally appropriate beers available in your area; Innis & Gunn is a favorite of mine to use in cocktails.

Syrup Recipes 

Spiced Pumpkin Beer Syrup *

- 1 Cup Sugar

- 1/2 Cup Pumpkin Beer

- 8 Cinnamon Sticks

- 1 Teaspoon Fresh Ground Allspice

- 1/2 Teaspoon Anise Seed

- Add all ingredients to sauce pan over medium heat

- Constantly stir to dissolve sugar

- After approximately 10 minutes over medium heat remove pan from heat

- Allow syrup to cool

- Using a fine mesh strainer, skim the surface to remove foam

- Strain through a fine mesh strainer 

- Bottle and store in fridge

Honey Cinnamon Syrup **

- 1 Cup Honey

- 3/4 Cup Water

- 10 Cinnamon sticks

- Add all ingredients to sauce pan over medium heat

- Constantly stir to achieve an even consistency 

- After approximately 10 minutes over medium heat remove pan from heat

- Allow syrup to cool

- Remove cinnamon sticks from syrup

- Bottle and store at room temperature