Nothing warms a winter night like a little winter cocktail—as long as you know it doesn’t actually make you warmer. When the weather is cold, you want to adjust the flavors in your cocktails for a bit more of a warm feeling. Flavors like Nutmeg, Allspice, Cinnamon, Orange, Cloves, Honey, Baked Apples, Maple Syrup, Gingerbread, Star Anise, Rosemary, and Peppermint really shine in a winter cocktail. Plus, like with our Hot Toddy, you can actually heat your drinks up for that extra level of coziness.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:

* How to emphasize winter-friendly flavors in drinks you already know how to make
* How a garnish can winterize a drink
* A few of Alex and Jordan’s favorite winter liquors
* The secret to a great hot toddy

Wise Words:
“Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.” –Alex Levine
“The problem with winter sports is that, follow me closely here, they generally take place in winter.” –Dave Barry
Gear and Supplies:
Hot Toddy/Irish Coffee Glasses: Always good to have the proper glassware, and these glasses allow you to enjoy the rich colors of the drink while also getting its rich aromas and flavors, as well.

Cinnamon Sticks: Good cinnamon makes a drink. Far from a simple garnish, use cinnamon to bring spice out of other flavors, like in a spiced whiskey ginger, or add it to a sweet drink, like a hot chocolate, for a deep flavor contrast.
Suggested Liquors:
Clyde May’s Alabama-Style Whiskey -- This whiskey is aged with dried apples for a delightful cinnamon and apple flavor that makes it one of the tastiest whiskies we’ve ever had. Pairing it with an apple-infused simple syrup in an Old Fashioned, with Fee Brothers Aromatic Bitters make just about the best winter Old Fashioned around.
Caorunn GIn: A dry, spicy and aromatic gin perfect for pairing with other winter flavors like cinnamon, apple, ginger, and pears.

Recipe
DC Gin and Tonic:
Using a couple of DC originals, you can create a spicy Gin and Tonic winter cocktail that you'll want to drink before heading to the National Mall for a snowball fight:

* The Gin: One Eight Distillery's Ivy City Gin (1.5 oz)  which features juniper and spicebush
* The Tonic: True Tonic Syrup (1 oz) Made with real cane sugar and cinchona bark, the original Peruvian bark the British cultivated in India to combat the effects of malaria
* 3 oz soda water
* Garnished with a slice of green apple and a cinnamon stick

Other Features:
Alex’s Favorite Christmas/Winter Song: The Ronettes’ “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”

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