[Editor’s note: There are many drinks here to enjoy once winter arrives; but remember to stay safe while you revel and use a designated driver at parties.]

Things get colder and busier this time of year. Guests come in red-nosed from the road and need a warming pick-me-up. So why not look to the classic this time of year and present a pick me up with a nice, stout kick? These winter warmers may not cure the common cold, but they can sure help you forget about it and your in-laws coming into town.

Hot Buttered Rum

2 oz dark Jamaican rum

4 oz hot black tea

2 tbsp rum batter

¼ oz of honey or honey syrup

Garnish: orange peel, cinnamon stick broken in half

Put batter, rum, and garnish in the bottom of a preheated, heatproof glass. Top with piping hot tea and stir to combine.

Hot Rum Batter

½ cup unsalted butter

1 cup light brown sugar

1 tbsp cinnamon

2 tsp nutmeg

Cream in a mixer until homogenous. Place in wax paper then roll tightly and form into a loaf. This lasts for several weeks in the fridge, or in the freezer until whenever you use it.

Of course, some people prefer a bit of fruit in there cocktails. For them, nothing is quite as warming as a lovely baked fruit toddy. The simple water in this allows the spicy syrup and delicious baked apples to do there job and meld nicely with the bourbon. This also works well with cognac. When buying apples select ones you’d use for baking, like Golden Delicious.

Apple Toddy

Half a baked apple

1 oz toddy spice syrup

2 oz boiling water

2 oz bourbon

Garnish: grated nutmeg

In a thick, preheated mug, add spice syrup and soft baked apples. Muddle well and add 1 oz of boiling water, then stir. Add bourbon and another 1 oz of boiling water, stir again. Serve with a grate of nutmeg if available.

Baked Apples

Peel and core the apples and bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until completely softened. During cooking, wrap apples with wet parchment paper to increase softness. If your baking pears instead or with the apples, make sure to leave them in longer to achieve the same effect.

Spice Syrup

2 cups sugar

1 ½ cups water

2 sticks cinnamon, crushed

1 tsp Allspice

In a saucepan heat water, then add sugar stirring occasionally for a minute to dissolve followed by the spices. Stir often to dissolve all sugar and spice. Bring to a boil and turn down the heat. Allow to reduce for five minutes. Strain and bottle after allowing to cool.

Now your well fortified against any winter weather. Just make sure to stay safe while you revel!

 

Joey Schmidt,or ‘JFL,’ is a Certified Sommelier, Birmingham Bar Menu Consultant, and local Culinary Graduate. He is also the Head Mixologist for Rated R Cocktails, which updates weekly with drink recipes and news. Look for Rated R Cocktails on Twitter, Facebook, and the Internet.