Drinks to Warm the Soul

A rich steam rose and he took a sip. Sweetness flooded his tongue, followed by cream, sugar, spices, chocolate finer than anything he had ever tasted, dark and bitter and delicious.

Laura Madeleine, from the Confectioner's Tale

It’s been bloody freezing here all week, proper wrap up warm weather, we even had a bit of snow! So, on a bitterly cold evening, having returned from work its cosy drink time! There’s nothing better than cosying up with a mug of something, and even better if a little booze enhances it – Right?! A warm mug of boozy beverage is a strategy used for centuries to stay warm all winter long, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking by it!

Here are some of my favourite hot alcoholic drinks and cocktails to take the chill off! Try party classics like buttered rum, mulled wine and spiked cider, or simply drizzle a bit of peppermint schnapps into your hot chocolate. The choice is yours!

Hot Buttered Rum

Here’s a warm alcoholic drink that’s ideal for sipping by the fire on a chilly evening: Hot Buttered Rum! This historic drink has been around since the 1650's, and it's still popular today. Cosy-spiced with cinnamon and allspice, it's spirit-forward with boozy dark rum and a touch of butter to make it lightly creamy. It's enough to warm your toes – and your soul. Did you know, some countries even have a National Hot Buttered Rum day? In fact this year it was the 17th of January – Who knew??

You can find the recipe here.

Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is not just for Christmas! Back in the day, for Yates’s Wine Lodge it was a staple at anytime of the year! Make up a big pot, and it fills your kitchen with an intoxicating aroma of toasted allspice and cinnamon. This recipe is just sweet enough, balancing the bold fruity wine with mulling spices, citrus, and oak and vanilla notes on the finish.

You can find the recipe here.

Spiked Hot Chocolate

Want a cosy hot alcoholic drink that warms you from the inside out? There’s nothing better at taking the chill off than a homemade Spiked Hot Chocolate! This mug of liquid cocoa is rich and creamy, with an intense depth in chocolate flavour. A hint of aged rum or bourbon, and it gives it a warming complexity with notes of vanilla and oak. Or, try minty Peppermint Schnapps Hot Chocolate or more Adult Hot Chocolate Recipes, I love a classic Lumumba with a drop or three of brandy!

You can find the recipe here.

Hot Spiked Apple Cider

Here’s a classic for those cold, grey days and chilly evenings by the fire – spiked hot apple cider! Not only will it lift your spirits, it makes your kitchen smell like a candle shop! Rum complements the cinnamon, cloves, and star anise perfectly.

You can find the recipe here.

Amaretto Coffee

Here's a warm alcoholic drink that's a little more high brow – Amaretto Coffee! It’s one of those flavour combinations that’s years beyond the sum of its parts. The amaretto brings a nuttiness and spice to the coffee that’s hard to quantify in words. Topped with frothy whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, it really is to die for!

You can find the recipe here:

Hot Toddy

It was only when I was researching this I realised why my dad always used to have one when – he felt a cold coming on! In the early 19th century, it was thought to be a cure for colds, and it's no wonder, this drink definitely puts a warmth in your chest. Use this whiskey drink for sipping around the fire in the evening; I’ve actually found it's actually a great winter cocktail for entertaining, even with people that don’t ordinarily drink Uisge Beatha!

You can find the recipe here:

Baileys Hot Chocolate

Love Baileys? Baileys Hot Chocolate! It’s got the best deep chocolaty flavour, accentuated by the chocolate and vanilla notes with the fruity finish of Irish whiskey. Topped with fluffy whipped cream, it’s a revelation! Serve this sweet warm alcoholic drink anytime you need a wintery pick me up! As more and more of these Baileys genre drinks come on the market, do a bit of experimenting, my local supermarket do a salted caramel version and heated in this way, it’s gorgeous!

You can find the recipe here:

And to finish, I have to recommend……

Classic Irish Coffee

There’s nothing more soul warming than that classic combination of bitter coffee, buttery Irish whisky and frothy whipped cream. There are infinite variations on the spiked coffee theme, too! If it’s late evening I usually use decaffeinated rather than full fat coffee, it’s just as nice and sets you up for a warm, satisfying sleep!

You can find the recipe here:

What’s on this week?