A bartender’s guide to hot cocktails for winter – New York Daily News

Hot cocktails for cold weather

When the weather starts to chill out for the year, many of us retreat indoors to stay warm and cozy, but what if you want to get a little tipsy while keeping the temperature up? Although high-proof spirits are known for their apparent body-warming capabilities, with some choice ingredients and a stove, you can make hot cocktails that will warm the body as well as the soul.

What you need to make hot cocktails

When it comes to hot cocktails, not all spirits are suited for the heat. Generally speaking, clear liquor doesn’t stand up to the other ingredients in most hot cocktails. Darker spirits, on the other hand, enhance the warm drink experience with their richer flavors.

Best alcohol to use for hot drinks

Other ingredients and tools for making hot cocktails

Some other ingredients you will need, depending on the recipe, include a variety of whole spices (allspice, cloves, cardamom, star anise and cinnamon), lemons for juicing, other fruit such as apples, oranges or cherries, plus extras like honey and coffee. For equipment, you’ll need a stainless-steel saucepan, a hand juicer for citrus, a muddler, an electric kettle and some Irish coffee mugs. Don’t forget a jigger or mini measuring cup for properly pouring your liquor!

Hot cocktail recipes for winter

What you need to buy for making hot cocktails

[ Bodum Melior Electric Gooseneck Kettle ]

With this electric kettle, not only will you have a necessary tool for making hot cocktails, you have all your hot water needs for brewing pour-over coffee or loose-leaf tea. You can also preheat your drinking mugs by pouring hot water and warming them before making your cocktail.

[ Zulay Metal Manual Citrus Press ]

A hand-press juicer comes in handy when making hot and chilled cocktails. It’s easy to use and requires minimal cleanup.

[ Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop ]

This isn’t a necessity, but an induction burner is the best appliance for making mulled wines, glogg and hot cider. You can more accurately heat your mixture with digital temperature settings and hold your drink at a proper serving temp. It’s also more energy-efficient than gas or electric stoves.

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