More Boozy Winter Warmers from Around the Web

Seeing as it is starting to get cold and the nights are getting longer it is clear to see that winter is well on its way. So I am going to give a list, including recipes, of warming boozers to help kick Winter in the keester and warm those old bones! And, after Laura's brilliant post in October, I wanted to contribute to warming the nation!

Irish Coffee
(adapted from yummly.com)

Photo taken from Seegull Media under
 the Creative Commons license

Kicking off with a classic and for all of those out there, like me, that absolutely love their coffee. This is also an incredibly simple recipe with great taste and a big kick:

Ingredients: 1.5 ounces of Irish Whiskey, 1 oz syrup (brown sugar and water), coffee and cream.

Process: Simple. Just chuck it in a glass and top with cream. Bobs your uncle. 

Baileys Hot Chocolate
(adapted from Serious Eats)

One for those with a slightly sweeter tooth and a penchant for that famous Irish Liqueur. 

Ingredients: 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 small pinch salt, 3 cups of milk, 4 oz milk chocolate chips, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp espresso powder, 3 oz Amaretto and 4 oz Irish Whiskey. 

Process: In a saucepan, stir the cocoa with sugar and salt. Stir in the milk and chocolate chips.
Heat this over a medium heat, stirring at all times until the melted mixture is hot and completely blended.
Add in the vanilla, espresso, amaretto and the whiskey, stirring until completely combined. Pour into a glass and top with marshmallows (optimal, but highly recommended!).

Hot Cranberry Punch with Sage and Peppercorns
(recipe by The Ktchn)

Possibly the best sounding drink ever? I can imagine making a batch, filling up a thermos flask and going on an early evening stroll sipping and stumbling along with this brew.

Ingredients: 2 tsps black pepper corns, 2 cups fresh cranberries, 1/4 cup of honey, 750 mls Riesling, 1/4 cup sage leaves, 1 cup of benedictine liqueur. 

Photo taken from Mike and Meg under
the Creative Commons License

Process: Warm the peppercorns in a saucepan over a medium heat until fragrant (2 mins approx).
Add cranberries, honey and 1 cup of the Riesling.
Simmer over medium heat until until a syrupy texture (7 mins approx).
Break up cranberries, add the remaining wine and sage and simmer for approximately 2 mins.
Then strain the liquid, crushing the cranberries further, and serve with benedictine liqueur.
This can also be chilled in the fridge and enjoyed cold. 

Apple Brandy Hot Toddy
(recipe from Chow)

An absolute classic with a fruity twist. A hot toddy is perfect for winter, especially when you're starting to get a case of the sniffles. And when made with apple brandy it gives a slightly sweeter, more approachable drink. 

Ingredients: 1 oz Calvados, 1 oz honey liqueur (Barenjager Honey/clover honey) or alternatively just use 1 tbsp runny honey, 4 ozs boiling water, 1 dash ground nutmeg, 1 cinnamon stick and 1 lemon wedge. 

Process: Pour the Calvados and liqueur into a heat proof glass before adding the hot water and nutmeg and stir with a cinnamon stick. To top it off, add the lemon wedge. Simples. 

This is just a small selection of the hundreds of choices for warm winter drinks. It's just a few of my favourites, so jump in and warm up!