Yesterday was our first snow storm of the year, with total accumulations reaching around 6 – 8 inches in the mountains and 1 inch on my doormat – just enough to destroy my basil garden! When I got home last night, I immediately jumped into my slippers and pajama pants, mixed myself a delicious hot chocolate, and snuggled underneath my down comforter trying to warm up. With temperatures dipping below 30 in September, the hot chocolate warmed everything from my stomach to my finger tips.

So with winter obviously upon us, it’s time to celebrate with some delicious warm beverages and my favorite hot cocktail recipes …

1. Hot Buttered Rum

This is not your typical bar recipe, but rather a creamy home-made version of the famous apres ski beverage that we have all come to love. I found this over at Bella Online, which boasts a large collection of other incredible drinks. Make sure you visit them for more yummy beverage recipes.

What you’ll need:

1/2 gallon premium vanilla ice cream, softened
1 pound butter, softened (no substitute)
1 (1-pound) box powdered sugar
1 (1-pound) box dark brown sugar
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and mixing well. Place in a freezer-safe container and store in freezer until ready to use. To serve: Place 1 ounce rum in mug with 2 TBSP frozen mixture. Fill mug with boiling water and top with additional nutmeg, if desired.

2. The Jack Mormon Mocha

A simple, easy recipe that will warm your guests and make them laugh. If you have people visiting you from out of this state, the name of this drink is sure to make them giggle. It’s meant to be made with Jack Daniels, but if you’re in Utah why not try Utah’s own High West Rye Whiskey?

What you’ll need:

2 oz High West Rye Whiskey (a product of High West Distillery)
1 oz Godiva Liquor
6 oz Freshly brewed coffee
whip cream

Directions:

This is as simple as it gets! Pour your whiskey and Godiva into a large coffee mug and top with hot coffee. Toss a dash of whip cream on the surface and serve. Voila! If you have LDS house guests, just replace all the ingredients with hot chocolate.

3. Cranberry Hot Toddies

This festive warm cocktail is featured at Fine Living and is the perfect addition to any cold evening.

What you’ll need:

4 tangerines
1/2 cup whole cloves
3 quarts pure, unsweetened cranberry juice
2 cups sugar, or to taste
3 cups amber rum

Directions:

1. Cut tangerines crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds and remove seeds.
2. Stud rind of each tangerine round with 4 or 5 cloves.
3. In a large saucepan simmer cranberry juice, tangerine rounds, and sugar, covered, 5 minutes and stir in rum.
4. Serve toddies with clove-studded tangerine rounds in heatproof glasses.

4. Cafe Brulot

Feeling like it’s time to take a trip to New Orleans? Warm yourself up with this spicy flavorful Louisiana favorite. For more New Orleans inspired recipes, check out Chef John Folse’s Blog.

What you’ll need:

• 1 lemon
• 1 orange
• 6 whole cloves
• 2 small cinnamon sticks
• 1 1/2 ounces triple sec
• 1 ounce brandy
• 1 1/2 cups cafe noir

Directions:

Every household in early New Orleans had its brulot bowl on the buffet. A brulot bowl is any silver or copper bowl that can be heated with sterno or candle flames from the bottom. Over your brulot bowl, peel lemon in one continuous motion so that the peel is a long spiral. Any juice from the lemon should fall directly into the bowl. Peel orange in the same fashion. Once peeled, insert cloves into the orange and lemon peels at one inch intervals. Into the brulot bowl, place cinnamon stick, triple sec and brandy. Place a sterno or candle under the bowl and bring the liquid to a slight simmer, stirring constantly. Once the liquor is simmering, carefully ignite using a kitchen match. A ribbon of golden blue flame may be achieved by ladling the liquors into the air above the bowl. While the liquor is flaming, hold the lemon and orange peels in the heat to “cook out” the flavor. Slowly add hot coffee, pouring around the edges of the bowl so that the sizzling sound may be heard. Continue stirring until flame dies out. Squeeze a small amount of orange and lemon juice into the bowl to naturally sweeten the coffee. Ladle hot brulot into hot demi-tasse cups.

All four of these amazing recipes will keep you warm throughout the winter months. Let me know what you think of them. If you have some other suggestions or recipes you’d like to share, we’d love to hear about them. What are your favorite warm winter cocktails?

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