Skip to Content

Warming Winter Cocktails for Your Next Party

Hosting a Christmas or New Year’s party? While food will most likely take center stage, this year, why not switch it up and try a specialty cocktail on your crowd? When you run by your local liquor store to pick up beer and wine, grab just a couple extra things to create a unique, wintery drink your guests will love.

Below, we’ve pulled some simple cocktail recipes you can shake up at home that feature Texas’ best local spirits. With simple ingredients, crowd favorites like Tito’s handmade vodka or Fort Worth’s own TX bourbon become the stars of the show.

Winter Cocktails for Your Guests

When it comes to serving, either stir up a pitcher before guests arrive (and serve out of your favorite drink dispenser) or simply assemble the ingredients, provide a recipe card, and let your guests take the reigns. No matter what you decide, adding a winter cocktail to your next get-together is the perfect refreshment to break the ice, offer your guests a little something unexpected, and get them in the holiday mood.

Below, find four unique cocktails to warm up even the coldest of December days:

Holly Jolly

Apple brandy and maple syrup make this cocktail sweet and smooth, with just the right amount of zip from the aromatic bitters. Think of it as the adult version of apple cider.

What You’ll Need

Instructions

Add ice to a large glass. Pour in the apple brandy, maple syrup, and bitters. Mix together thoroughly before straining into an old-fashioned glass. 

The extra touch? Garnish with a green and red apple skewer.

(adapted from Esquire Magazine)

Warming Winter Cocktails for Your Next Party

Cowboy Cooler

Tito’s smooth, classic vodka lets the citrusy fruit flavors do the talking. The spicy kick of the allspice dram warms it up, making a perfect complement for a winter get-together. (For those of you new to allspice dram, it’s a liqueur flavored with allspice berries. It may be harder to find, but it’s worth the extra lap at your local liquor store.)

What You’ll Need

Instructions

Pour everything into a cocktail shaker. Add ice, cover, and shake. Strain into a tall, Collins-style glass over ice and top with a splash of soda water. 

The extra touch? Slide a lemon wheel onto the rim and drop in a couple of cranberries for good measure.

(adapted from Esquire Magazine)

Peppermint White “Texan”

The White Russian may be a classic, but we’re willing to bet this holiday version of the White Texan could give it a run for its money. We’ve subbed Kahlua for Austin-favorite Caffe del Fuego, a richer coffee liqueur made from Austin Roasting Company’s smoky-smooth five bean blend.

What You’ll Need

Instructions

Add all ingredients but milk into a large glass and stir. Pour over (lots of) ice and top with a splash of milk.

Feeling fancy? Finish it off with a candy cane stirrer.

(Adapted from Drizly)

Easy to Assemble Winter Cocktails

Cowtown Cold Snap

Ginger tea lends herbal flavors to this Fort Worth-style hot toddy. If you’ll be entertaining a group, make the tea ahead and warm up just before the party begins. 

What You’ll Need

  • 2 bags ginger tea
  • 1.5 ounces TX bourbon
  • .5 oz fresh lemon juice
  • .5 oz honey

Instructions

Pour 3/4 cup boiling water over tea bags in a mug. Steep for three to four minutes and remove tea bags. Stir in bourbon, lemon juice, and honey. 

The finishing touch? Garnish with lemon peel and enjoy warm.

(Adapted from Epicurious)
Save & Share Cart
Your Shopping Cart will be saved and you'll be given a link. You, or anyone with the link, can use it to retrieve your Cart at any time.
Back Save & Share Cart
Your Shopping Cart will be saved with Product pictures and information, and Cart Totals. Then send it to yourself, or a friend, with a link to retrieve it at any time.
Your cart email sent successfully :)

Be the First to Know

Get Inspiration for your home or office project sent straight to your inbox.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.