8 Cocktails to Sip All Winter Long

We've already shown you our favorite hot cocktails, but there's more to winter drinking than toddies and spiked cider: plenty of chilled drinks are perfect when the temperature drops, too. Brown spirits are an obvious choice—but not the only one—as are seasonal fruits like apples, pears, and cranberries. Here are 8 of our favorite winter cocktails, from a smoky tea punch and an apple-flavored Negroni variation to a classic holiday eggnog.

Apples

Guns of Barbaresco

This rich, fruity cocktail mixes apple brandy with lemon juice, orange bitters, and an herb- and spice-packed Italian digestivo called Barolo Chinato. We sweeten the drink with a double-strength Demerara simple syrup so that it doesn't get too watered down. A star anise pod makes for a striking garnish.

Get the recipe for Guns of Barbaresco »

Mela d'Alba (Apple Brandy Negroni)

As much as we love a traditional Negroni, the basic recipe is also ripe for variation. Here we keep the Campari and sweet vermouth (try Carpano Antica), but replace the gin with apple brandy. We use two parts of brandy to one part each of Campari and vermouth to cut the Campari's sweetness.

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Whiskey

Old Fashioned Cocktails (for a Crowd)

Winter is a time of entertaining, and entertaining is easier when you can make drinks for a crowd ahead of time. The key to making a large amount of a cocktail is to add a little water to the mix, which mimics the dilution that occurs when you mix drinks with ice. The recipe itself is super simple: for a dozen guests all you need is a bottle of rye (or bourbon, if you prefer), simple syrup, and Angostura bitters.

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Old Timber (Rye Cocktail With Fernet)

This brooding cocktail with triple sec and fernet is perfect for those who love an Old Fashioned. You're probably most familiar with Fernet-Branca—while I'm a fan, it gives this particular drink an unpleasantly medicinal taste. Try using other brands like cinnamon-y Jelínek Czech-style fernet, minty Fernet Leopold, or super-dry Fernet Francisco.

Get the recipe for Old Timber (Rye Cocktail With Fernet) »

Other Drinks

Classic Eggnog

Forget the carton from the store—the best eggnog is made at home with eggs, sugar, milk, cream, and rum or brandy. You can shake the ingredients together by hand for a creamy drink or use a stand mixer for a lighter, frothier one. Aged eggnog has gotten some buzz online recently. While it's worth trying, we prefer the fresh stuff.

Get the recipe for Classic Eggnog »

Italian Buck (Amaro and Ginger Beer Highball)

If you've ever had a Dark 'n Stormy and thought, "This is good, but I wish it were a little weirder," this unusual drink is for you. It keeps the ginger beer, but replaces the rum with a pair of bittersweet Italian liqueurs: orangey Montenegro and vegetal Cynar. While the recipe calls for three ounces of ginger beer, we'd recommend starting with two and seeing how you like it before deciding whether or not to add more.

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Shagbark's Sangaree (Madeira and Lemon Cocktail)

This distant relative of sangria is made with Madeira, a nutty, caramelly fortified wine that we love to drink on cold nights. We keep the drink simple, shaking the Madeira with simple syrup and lemon juice. A grating of nutmeg complements the toasty aromas of the wine.

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Tangy Cranberry-Black Pepper Shrub Cocktail

I love a strong cocktail on a cold night, but for a big holiday meal I'd prefer something lighter. This sweet-tart cocktail made with a cranberry-black pepper shrub and sparkling wine fits the bill perfectly. The shrub can also be made into a non-alcoholic drink with simple syrup and club soda (plus orange bitters if you're okay with just a tiny bit of alcohol).

Get the recipe for Tangy Cranberry-Black Pepper Shrub Cocktail »