When the weather outside is frightful, we can’t all hibernate inside, no matter how much we might like to. When scarves, hats and mittens aren’t enough to keep the winter chill away, a hot beverage can warm you up from the inside out.
The problem with many hot beverages is that if you’re not careful, they can rack up the calories pretty quickly. If you’re tired of plain coffee or tea, turn to one of these figure-friendly cocktails that won’t derail your diet (drink in moderation!) but will take the chill away.
Hot Mulled Cider: Warm up by the fireplace after a long day with a cup of hot mulled cider. With a hint of rum or brandy, sweetened with rich honey and a touch of spice, this has everything you need to unwind at the end of a long day. For a virgin version, skip the booze and save 100 calories.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Apple Cider
- 2 oz Rum or Brandy
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
- 2 cloves
- Dash of allspice
Directions:
Combine all ingredients and heat on stove-top or in a 4-cup measuring cup in the microwave. Strain into a glass designed for hot beverages and garnish with cinnamon sugar, if desired.
Hot Bols Genever Punch: Bols Genever, known as the “grandfather of gin” is a perfect flavor for cocktails around the holiday season. Its aroma has a hint of juniper and pairs well with citrus, another popular flavor of the season. This punch, though high in sugar, lacks the cream and fat that a lot of holiday cocktails deliver, making it a perfect punch for your next holiday party.
Ingredients:
- The peel of 6 lemons, each cut in a ½-inch wide spiral with a vegetable peeler.
- 1 large lemon or 2 small ones, sliced into thin wheels and de-seeded (discard ends).
- 8 oz (1 cup) Turbinado sugar (“Sugar in the Raw”)
- 25 oz/1 750-ml bottle Bols Genever
- Spice mix: 2 teaspoons fresh-ground nutmeg to 1 teaspoon each fresh-ground allspice and cloves.
- 32 oz (1 quart) boiling water
Directions:
In a heatproof bowl, muddle the lemon peels and the sugar together and let sit for at least 90 minutes. Then muddle again and add 8 oz (1 cup) of the boiling water, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Fish out or strain out the lemon peels. Add Bols Genever and stir.
To serve, transfer into crock-pot or heated earthenware jug (to heat jug, rinse with boiling water), add 24 oz boiling water, lemon slices and spice mix (add this sparingly to taste—1 teaspoon is plenty). Ladle out, also sparingly—2 1/2 oz cups should be fine.
Bacardi Torched Cherry Torched Kettle: Flavored spirits are making a splash this year – in some of your favorite cocktails, both hot and cold. Turn your evening tea into a celebratory cocktail with some cherry rum.
- 1 part Bacardi Torched Cherry Flavored Rum
- 1½ parts hot tea
- 1½ parts twist of lemon juice
Directions:
Stir ingredients together and garnish with lemon wedge.
What are your favorite hot cocktails for cold days?