5 Hot Cocktails to Enjoy This Winter

A cocktail doesn't have to come with ice. When temperatures drop, these 5 hot cocktail recipes warm you up just as well as a traditional grog — and they're easy to make at home, no bar equipment required.

There's nothing quite like a delicious hot cocktail to get through winter. These drinks are said to aid digestion and help you warm up gently — though they're no substitute for medical advice if you catch a cold. Here are five recipes best enjoyed piping hot.

1. Snow Bunny

For this milky, cocoa-laced cocktail, you'll need 10 cl of milk, a teaspoon of sugar, a teaspoon of cocoa, and 4.5 cl of white curaçao. First pour the cocoa powder into a saucepan, add the sugar, then the white curaçao, and the milk last. Stir until the sugar has fully dissolved and serve immediately in a mug.

2. Glögg

This spiced mulled wine is traditionally drunk in Sweden around Christmas time. Combine 10 cl of red wine, a small teaspoon of sugar, 2 cardamom pods, 1 clove, the seeds of half a vanilla pod, and a touch of freshly grated ginger (setting the vodka aside) in a saucepan, and let it macerate for at least 5 hours. Before serving, heat the mixture for 30 minutes, add 1 cl of vodka to flambé it, then pour straight into a mug.

3. Russian Coffee

Whip two teaspoons of liquid heavy cream, previously chilled in the freezer for 30 minutes, until light and airy. Heat 3 cl of vodka with 2 sugar cubes in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until fully dissolved, then pour into a tumbler. Add 4 cl of coffee, then top with the whipped cream.

4. Milk Punch

In a blender, combine 5 cl of cognac, 2 cl of sugar syrup, and 12 cl of hot milk. Once nicely frothy, pour into a tumbler and dust with cinnamon before enjoying hot.

5. Sur les Pistes

In a pre-warmed mug, pour in this order: 3 cl of vodka, 2 cl of Bénédictine liqueur, the zest of half a lemon, the zest of an orange, a dash of Angostura bitters, a cinnamon stick, and 6 cl of boiling water. Let it steep for 3 minutes before serving.