When the weather outside is frightful mixology magic can turn winter blahs into holiday cheer. Liquid merriment may not be strictly necessary when the goal is bringing a little bit of luxurious flair to the Christmassy season but it certainly doesn't hurt. And it's surprisingly easy to mix to impress – even when guests are just minutes away. With that in mind, here are some go-to libations that dress up the holiday season but are equally wonderful all winter long.
The classic hot toddy
Simple to make but impressive to many for its relative rarity at modern get-togethers, a hot toddy is nothing more than hot water, liquor, citrus, something sweet and something spicy. Try muddled lemon and honey, a few splashes of your best bourbon, and a cinnamon stick topped off with water – it's warm and homey and the very essence of the Danish hygge concept. Alternately try hot spiced wine, where light bodied red wine and kirsch are joined by tart citrus and warming spices.
Grownup hot chocolate
Spiking après ski cocoa is nothing new but restaurateur Todd Thrasher's unique take plays on flavors from Christmas past. His Peppermint Paddy pairs brandy, dark rum andwhite crème de menthe with chocolate scented whipped cream and, of all things, crushed Altoids.
Eggnog with Puerto Rican flair
The velvety Coquito has all the sweet and spicy smoothness of the original with a tropical twist. Cream of coconut and sweetened condensed milk give this unexpected eggnog variant its signature sultry flavor that's decadent enough to have tipplers reconsidering the need for dessert.
A little bit of sparkle
Who says holiday cocktails have to be warm to warm you up? Beer cocktails are the newest must-have and the Black Velvet is trending on upscale bar carts everywhere. Festive enough for all but rugged enough for the beer aficionados in your life, the Black Velvet is also amazingly easy to put together. Pour one part black Irish stout and four parts of your favorite sparkling white wine or adjust the proportions until you find your flavor.
The mod cold toddy
Take the classic hot toddy described above and remove the hot to create a holiday cocktail that's sweet, spicy and just the pick-me-up you'll want after tromping through the snow. The Black & Honey combines Captain Morgan's Black Spiced Rum with fresh squeezed lemon and smooth honey, shaken and served in a rocks glass. Note that Captain Morgan has some additional drink ideas as well – don't assume main street bar staples can't be posh.
Cider with a splash
When guests have traveled through the cold winter night, warm them up with steaming mugs of Winter Delight. This no-stress cocktail will make everyone feel cozy thanks to warm, sweet cider, fragrant bourbon and a cinnamon-sugar rim. Hitting the slopes? Use a slow cooker to ensure your cider is piping hot upon your return.
Batched drinks
Who wants to play bartender when there's a party going on? One of the best modern mixology trends is small bottle cocktails premixed so guests can serve themselves. The Evergreen Swizzle makes reveling easy – gin, yellow chartreuse, pine liqueur and fresh lime juice become something more satisfying than the component parts in a pitcher and then simply magical when funneled into glass soda bottles for individual sipping.
Whatever you serve, don't obsess. It's all too easy to get caught up in the pre- and post-holiday frenzy of party planning and gift giving. Your drinks? Should be the pleasurable antidote to all the pressure, not another source of stress. When it doubt stick to the classics and never hesitate to let guests serve up their own holiday cheer.
