This winter warm up with these 5 delicious cocktails

During winters, most cocktails are centred around alcohols such as wine, brandy and rum, and liqueurs such as kahlua.

Winters are upon us, and though ’tis the time to sit cozy with a steaming cup of hot cocoa or coffee, the ever-greedy palate does yearn for more. This is also the time for parties and celebrations, which usually translates to high spirits — both literally and figuratively. So, when you’re sitting planning out your party menu, pay special heed to the kind of cocktails you’ll serve. Not everything is suited for all seasons. For instance, vodkas and gins are usually avoided during winters since they lend themselves to more cooler drinks, says Lalit Sharma, Manager, Food and Beverage, Mosaic Hotels, Noida.

During winters, most cocktails are centred around alcohols such as wine, brandy and rum, and liqueurs such as kahlua, Baileys and coffee-based ones, says Sharma, adding that mulled wine is one of the most popular winter cocktails, globally. So, as you tuck your fingers into a warm pair of gloves, here are five winter special cocktails you can make to keep the holiday spirits high.

BRANDY CRUSTA

Ingredients

1 wine-glass brandy (2 ounces Cognac)
15ml Grand Marnier liqueur
1 dash sugar syrup
1 dash (1/4 teaspoon) lemon juice
2-3 drops of Angostura bitter
lemon peel

Method
* Wet the rim of a small wineglass with a lemon wedge and coat the outer rim with superfine sugar.
* Line the glass with the thin-pared peel of half a lemon, peeled in a single, wide strip.
* Stir ingredients with ice until well chilled, then strain into the lemon-lined serving glass.

CHRISTMAS RUM PUNCH

Ingredients

90ml orange juice
30ml lemon juice
Maraschino cherries
15ml triple sec liqueur
60ml white rum
1 orange, sliced into rounds
1 lemon, sliced
Pineapple chunks
Soda to top up

Method
* In a punch bowl, combine sugar, orange juice and lemon juice. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add cherries, triple sec, light rum, orange slices, lemon slices and pineapple chunks.
* Refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow flavours to blend.
* Pour in carbonated water.
* Add ice just before serving and serve in a Brandy Balloon glass.

IRISH HOT CHOCOLATE

Ingredients
30ml Baileys Irish Cream
250ml Hot Chocolate
30ml Whipped cream

Method
* Start by pouring the Baileys into your favourite mug.
* Follow the instructions on the packet to make up a serving of hot chocolate drink.
* Pour the hot chocolate into the mug with the Baileys and float the whipped cream on top.

TOASTED ALMOND

Ingredients
30ml Kahlua
30ml Amaretto
60ml Cream

Method
* Put all three ingredients in the shaker and shake well.
* Pour in a large glass filled with ice cubes.

CAFE AMORE

Ingredients
1 ounce Cognac
1 ounce Amaretto
Black coffee
Whipped cream
Shaved almonds for garnish

Method
* Pour the Cognac and amaretto into an Irish coffee glass. Fill with hot coffee.
* Top with whipped cream. Garnish with shaved almonds.