20 hot cocktail recipes to keep you warm this winter
Beat the chill with one of our favourite hot cocktail recipes – perfect for parties, serving with dinner or enjoying as an evening treat after a long day.
When it's wet and cold outside and going out to your local pub or bar seems like a trek, try one of our hot winter cocktails to keep warm at home.
If you're hosting a gathering, you can keep your guests going with something citrussy, like our spiced clementine mulled whisky, or use your slow cooker to make our slow-cooker mulled cider.
For more drinks ideas that are perfect for the colder months, try some of our top winter cocktails. And for chocolate lovers, check out our top hot chocolate recipes to help satisfy your sweet tooth.
Top 20 hot cocktail recipes
1. Mulled wine
Our mulled wine is the perfect festive cocktail, as it can be made ahead of time before things get busy. To serve warm, heat on the hob (being careful not to let it boil) and serve in heatproof glasses. We also have a slow-cooker version that's just as delicious.
2. Hot toddy
The combination of whisky, honey, lemon, cinnamon and cloves really packs a punch, which makes this hot toddy recipe perfect for winter. Not a whisky fan? Try our hot gin toddy for a warming alternative.
3. Slow-cooker mulled cider
Get your slow cooker out and make this sweet and zesty slow-cooker mulled cider. Serve in a large heatproof bowl and let guests help themselves. We've also got a recipe for a festive mulled beer, made with golden ale, apple juice, brandy and warming spices.
4. Salted caramel & rum hot chocolate
This grown-up hot choc is made with dulce de leche, a thick caramel. Our salted caramel & rum hot chocolate makes a wonderful after-dinner treat for adults. For more chocolate tipples, check out our best boozy hot chocolates for an indulgent drink.
5. Spiced clementine mulled whisky
Make the most of this seasonal citrus fruit by stirring up a batch of our spiced clementine mulled whisky that's perfect for those winter nights when you've just come in from the cold.
6. Hot buttered rum
Try rounding off dinner with some hot buttered rum. Sweet and gently spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, it's a wonderfully warming drink to curl up on the sofa with this winter. Or, try our hot spiced buttered rum flavoured with orange and star anise.
7. Spiced apple syrup with clementine & cloves
Make a batch of this spiced apple syrup with clementine & cloves, then mix with hot apple juice or wine for a burst of Christmas flavour. You could even drizzle it over ice cream for a quick dessert.
8. Mulled pear & cranberry punch
For a hot winter cocktail that makes the most of seasonal fruits, try this mulled pear & cranberry punch. Combine hot pear cider with apple and cranberry juice, plus sloe gin and cinnamon for a warming drink you'll return to again and again.
9. Chocolate caliente
Thick and smooth, this chocolate caliente is flavoured with cinnamon, vanilla, orange and lemon peel, and topped with whipped cream. Try more of our ultimate hot chocolate recipes.
10. Nutmeg & orange Christmas coffee
For coffee lovers, our nutmeg & orange Christmas coffee is a brilliant after-dinner drink on the big day, or one to wake up to on Christmas morning. Discover more of our classic coffee and coffee cocktail recipes that'll keep you going all year round.
11. Coffee cocktails & star biscuits
Give your after-dinner coffees an edge with indulgent cream, a dash of Kahlúa and serve with shortbread star biscuits, if you like. See our coffee cocktails served with star biscuits.
12. Mulled quince cider
Enjoy this alternative take on mulled cider, made with quince in place of apples.
13. White mulled wine
Switch red wine and heavy spices for white wine, light cider, vanilla and elderflower cordial in this lovely lighter white mulled wine, perfect to serve during the winter months.
14. Mulled mead
Mulled mead or cider with a splash of brandy is a real festive treat, a warming alternative to mulled wine with cinnamon, ginger and citrus notes.
15. Mulled port & lemon
If you find mulled wine too heavy, try this refreshing alternative mulled port & lemon Christmas drink, served in 'frosted' wintry glasses.
16. Swedish Glögg
Serve this warming Swedish glögg at a festive party or on a cosy night in. Combining red wine, orange zest, dried fruit and spices, this traditional Scandinavian drink is Christmas in a cup.
17. Gluhwein
Blend red wine, brandy, orange and spices to make a gorgeous traditional gluhwein. It's the perfect grown-up drink during winter to help you warm up.
18. Slow cooker mulled wine
Using a slow cooker to make mulled wine makes the flavours stay fresh. Plus you can leave it to gently warm while you eat, drink and be merry!
19. Cinnamon butter rum
Kick back with a warming glass of cinnamon butter rum for a cosy night in. It's the perfect hot cocktail to enjoy during the winter months or at a Christmas gathering.
20. Calypso coffee
Rum, coffee and cream are a winning combination in this calypso coffee, making a perfect after-dinner drink. Garnish with a coffee bean or grating of dark chocolate for the professional touch.
Looking for more winter drink ideas? Discover more of our drink collections:
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