According to Esquire, in 1935, a few authors asked writers famous in that era to submit a favorite cocktail for a book titled, "So Red the Nose, or Breath in the Afternoon." Arnold Gingrich, Esquire's founder, came up with that drink as a nice way to stay warm in Chicago, where he was based.
Ingredients:
2 ounces Irish whiskey
1 sugar cube
lemon peel
4 ounces water
Instructions:
Combine the whiskey, sugar cube, and lemon peel in a mug, then add boiling water and stir.
You can dust with nutmeg or use Scotch in place of whisky for a lighter body.
Yes, it actually has butter in it.
Ingredients:
2 sugar cubes
water
2 ounces dark rum
pat of unsalted butter
Instructions:
Dissolve the sugar in a little hot water in a mug. Add the rum and butter. Fill the mug with hot water. Again, you can dust with nutmeg or (for those willing to depart from purism, stir in some cinnamon and cloves).
This one is a cold one (it calls for ice), but take a few sips and you'll be warm soon enough.
Ingredients:
red burgundy
brut champagne
Instructions:
Put 2 or 3 ice cubes into a Collins glass. Fill the glass halfway with burgundy. Top with iced brut champagne. Stir carefully (don't upset the fizz).
This recipe serves four people and takes a total of 25 minutes to make, so it would be good for a nice night in with friends. Game night, anyone?
Ingredients for the pineapple garnish:
12 or more (3/4-inch) cubes fresh pineapple
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon Aleppo pepper
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon salt
Ingredients for the mulled juice:
1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
4 cups pineapple juice
6 ounces dark rum
2 ounces brandy
1 vanilla bean pod, split in half lengthwise, seeds scraped out
Instructions for the pineapple garnish:
Place your oven rack in the middle position and preheat the broiler. Combine sugar, Aleppo pepper, ground cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle pineapple cubes with the mixture and toss to coat evenly. Place a single layer of pineapple cubes on a foil lined baking sheet. Broil two to four minutes, until caramelized. When cool, skewer three cubes on each short skewer or toothpicks.
Instructions for the mulled pineapple juice:
Put allspice, peppercorns, cloves, and cinnamon sticks in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat about two minutes (or once it starts to smell wonderful). Add pineapple juice, rum, brandy, vanilla bean and seeds and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Be sure to stir occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve and throw discard solids. Place one skewer in a heat-proof cup or mug and ladle juice into the cups.
Milk is white... snow is white... Vodka is...well, why not?
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups vodka
1 1/4 cups coffee liqueur
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
Instructions:
Stir together in a pitcher. Pour into ice-filled glasses.
Yeah, it's that easy.
For more cold weather banishing meals and beverages, check out HNGN's recipe suggestions using beer, Oktoberfest-themed foods and a list of great ciders included in a previous Coveted.
