Six Cocktails To Cure The Winter Blues

Winter may be here, but don’t let chilly temps get you down. Here are six cocktails to cure the winter blues.

1. Moonlight By The Fire: Celebrate the winter solstice or any holiday gathering by creating a batch of Anna Wasserman-Hartman’s twist on Mulled Spiced Wine.

16 (1 box) Numi Orange Spice tea bags

1 bottle (750ml) Red Wine

1 bottle (750ml) Port

1 bottle (750ml) Vodka

2 Oranges (quartered)

8.75 oz. natural Sugar Cubes

Sugar, Wild Turkey Spiced, and Everything Nice. (Courtesy Photo)

Directions: Squeeze orange quarters and drop them into a large pot along with all tea bags. Pour all red wine and port wine into pot and simmer for 1 hour. Turn temperature to high and add vodka. Put sugar cubes into metal sieve. Light liquid on fire and slowly dip metal sieve into and out of liquid. The sugar should catch on fire, begin to caramelize and drip into the liquid. (Safety Note: Do not use exhaust fan and keep lid nearby and use if flame becomes too high. After sugar has dissolved, remove sieve, put lid on and turn off heat.) Allow to cool and then remove contents by straining into another pot. Serve warm in little espresso/tea cups. Can be re-bottled and used at a later date.

2. Sugar, Wild Turkey Spiced, and Everything Nice: We all know the nursery rhyme says that’s what little girls made of, but add some bourbon and you’ve got a devilishly delicious drink.

2 oz. Wild Turkey Spiced Bourbon

1 oz. Fresh Red Apple Puree

3/4 oz. Lemon Juice

3/4 oz. Cinnamon Syrup

Directions: Shake hard, double strain, and serve up in cocktail glass with apple fan and cinnamon dust.

Cinnamon Syrup:

2 cups Water

6 smashed Cinnamon Sticks

Moonlight By The Fire. (Courtesy Photo)

Directions: Bring to boil. Turn off heat and cover. Let sit 20 minutes. Stir in 2 cups sugar. Heat to dissolve. Do not boil. Strain. Cool. Store.

3. Moscato Frosted Fizz: Similar to a spritzer, this fizzy winter option is great for holiday parties.

1.5 oz. SKYY Infusions Moscato Grape

5 oz. Sparkling Wine

3 Green Grapes

White Rimming Sugar

Directions: Pour vodka into a white sugar rimmed flute and top with chilled sparkling wine. Garnish with green grapes.

4. The Warm Avión: Another hot option to warm up during frigid weather.

1 oz. Avión Silver Tequila

1/2 oz. Amaretto

1/2 oz. Lemon Juice

1/2 oz. Honey

1 Black Tea Bag

1 Lemon Twist, Cranberries and Cinnamon for garnish

Directions: Prepare black tea and add tequila, amaretto and lemon juice together. Garnish with lemon twist, a dash of cinnamon and fresh cranberries.

5. Kilbeggan Apricot Cobbler: Imagine yourself sitting by the fire watching the snow fall and enjoying this libation created by Gillian Boyle of Fade Street Social in Dublin, Ireland.

Booze Sweater. (Courtesy Photo)

1.75 parts Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey

1/2 part Apricot Syrup

6 parts Hot Water

2 dashes Orange Bitters

1/4 part Brown Sugar Syrup

Directions: Heat glass and add all ingredients into the hot drink glass and stir. Zest an orange over the glass and add an orange garnish studded with cloves.

6. Booze Sweater: Stop by Nick & Toni’s (136 North Main Street, East Hampton, 631) 324-3550, www.nickandtonis.com) on a chilly night to try this minty treat.

2 oz. Bourbon

3/4 oz. Honey Syrup

Pot Peppermint Tea

Directions: Put bourbon, candied lemon and honey in a hot drink glass. Serve alongside pot of peppermint tea with a spoon.