5 Winter Warm-Up Cocktails You Need To Try

5 Winter Warm-Up Cocktails You Need To Try

Switching on your electric blanket before bed, turning up the gas heater and putting on your thicker pj’s. Winter isn’t that bad for those of us who enjoy a comforting snuggle. But the recent cold fronts have proved to be just a little too cold – even for the winter fanatics. South Africans love the outdoors so much that even though it’s cold you’ll find us socialising while sitting in the last sun-patch of the garden. We put on as many layers as we can before heading out, all the while wishing there was some way to warm up from the inside out.

Because you’ll never be able to keep us indoors for very long, we’ve come up with better options than having a cold beer in the icy wind. Forget the gluhwein too, because let’s be honest with ourselves, does anyone really like drinking what is basically hot wine?  It’s time to spice up our cocktails for some winter friendly ingredients that may even have you sweating.

Hot Chocolate Cocktail

Yip, that’s right. You can now combine your favourite winter treat with your choice of liquor and tada – you’ve got heaven in a cup. And there isn’t just one delicious recipe to savour this year. How does a delicious toasted coconut hot chocolate sound? Or a peppermint hot chocolate for a Christmas in July themed event? In case you’d like to try both:

Toasted Coconut Hot Chocolate Cocktail

Ingredients:

  • Rum
  • White Hot Chocolate
  • Toasted Coconut Flakes
  • Whipped Cream

One sip and you are practically back on the beach already.  Want some of the extra coconut flavour? Add some Malibu rum instead!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cocktail

Ingredients:

  • Hot Chocolate
  • Peppermint Schnapps
  • Chocolate liquor
  • Crushed peppermint sweets
  • Whipped cream

Tastes just like Christmas in the snow (or at least the Christmas we’ve never had)

Coffee Cocktails

You already love your indulgent winter cappuccinos, why not add some flavour and flare? Make them Irish! If you’ve never tried a good Irish coffee, this cold winter is the time to try new things. But don’t, we’ve added a little South African twist too.

Irish Coffee Cocktail (With a Twist)

Ingredients:

  • Irish Whiskey
  • Coffee
  • (For the “lekker” twist) Amarula

While you are drinking this wonderful combination of flavours, check out Amarula initiative to save our beloved elephants here. A big cheers to that!

Ginger Cocktails

Ginger is a fiery, zesty ingredient that can seriously heat up a party. Contrary to the name, most ginger beers nowadays are non-alcoholic. But you can add some ginger beer to some other ingredients make a delicious ginger cocktail. For example:

Ginger Beer Lime Cocktail

Ingredients:

  • Ginger Beer
  • Lime juice
  • Sparkling water
  • Ice
  • Lime slices
  • A cherry on top!

Pepper Cocktails

If you are feeling adventurous this winter, try a pepper cocktail. This blast of heat is sure to cause quite a stir at your event – and possibly clear your guests winter sniffles too. How about some Jalapenos?

Jalapeno and Cucumber Margarita Cocktail

Ingredients:

  • Jalapeno and Cucumber Syrup
  • Vodka
  • Sparkling Water
  • Lime Juice

When it’s cold outside, it can be a little harder to convince people to leave their houses for an event. But when you include some winter warmers on the drinks menu like these, you’ll see a boost in turn out. Whether you are hosting a winter wonderland wedding, or a mid-year corporate event and are in need of some more inspiration for your next event, ask Thirst about our bespoke cocktail menu and customisable bar experience.

With these yummy cocktail creations, you may just find that winter can actually be the best season for get-togethers.

Can you think of any other ingredients that help to heat up the occasion?

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