Tea-Infused Hot Toddy
The hot toddy is a winter staple, but we love adding a lemon-flavored herbal tea to the hot water to give the drink an extra layer of warmth and coziness. Try it with Detroit-based Two James Rye to give it a spicier, more spirit-forward character that warms in all the right ways!
What You Need
¾ cup hot water
1 bag lemon herbal tea bag
2 ounces rye whiskey
½ ounces teaspoons honey
½ ounces lemon juice
1 lemon round (for garnish)
1 cinnamon stick (garnish)
How To Make It
In a teapot or saucepan, bring the water to a simmer. Pour the hot water into a mug with the tea bag.
Add the rye, honey, and lemon juice. Stir until the honey has dissolved.
If needed, adjust for sweetness/tartness by adding honey or lemon juice to taste .
Garnish with a lemon round and cinnamon stick (if desired).
Glögg (Scandinavian Mulled Wine)
Glögg is essentially a mulled wine, but with a Scandinavian twist. We leaned into that twist by adding Aquavit, a Nordic spirit with a boozy, herbaceous flavor. Long Road, in Grand Rapids, is one of the few makers of Aquavit in North America. Served warm, with cinnamon, star anise, and orange peel, your hygge Michigan winter is just around the corner.
What You Need
2 bottles of Michigan red wine
¼ cup aquavit
1 cinnamon stick
3 star anise pods
3 orange rounds
½ cup honey (optional)
How To Make It
Add all ingredients (except the aquavit) to a crockpot and heat on low for at least 2 hours and up to 6. Do not boil, but warm enough to heat the mixture.
Add the Aquavit (and honey, if desired) 30 minutes prior to serving.
Garnish with an orange round, cinnamon stick, and star anise pod (if desired).
Spicy Hot Chocolate
What’s better on a cold day than a nice mug of hot chocolate? Boozy hot chocolate! We love using smokey mezcal and sprinkling with cayenne pepper to add a delicious complexity to this warming winter classic!
What You Need
¼ cocoa powder
2 cups whole milk
pinch kosher salt
1 milk chocolate bar
5 ounces mezcal
whipped cream
pinch of cayenne pepper
milk chocolate shavings
How To Make It
In medium saucepan mix the milk, cocoa powder, and salt.
Warm, but do not boil.
When warm, add 1 bar of milk. chocolate (save a bit to shave and garnish) and stir until melted .
Simmer over low heat, whisking occasionally for about 10 minutes.
Add mezcal and heat until warmed through.
Divide into four glasses and garnish with whipped cream, cayenne pepper, and chocolate shavings).
BOOZY HOMEMADE EGGNOG
If you’ve only ever had eggnog out of a carton, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s… nothing special. But homemade eggnog is a completely different drink! The booze, dairy, and eggs work together to create a warming, hearty, and fun drink that is perfect for sipping on cozy winter nights. We love giving it a Michigan twist by using New Holland spirits.
What You Need
6 large egg yolks
½ pound sugar
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
(plus a pinch for garnish)
¾ pint whole milk
¾ pint heavy cream
¾ cup spiced rum
¾ cup bourbon
⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
How To Make It
Separate the eggs.
Beat the yolks, sugar, and nutmeg with an electric mixer until lightened in color.
Combine dairy, spirits, and salt in a second bowl and then beat into the egg mixture.
Serve in mugs or cups garnished with nutmeg.