The winter season calls for cozy, comforting and festive drinks. We’ve picked out a few of our favorite cocktails perfect for a night in, holiday party or celebratory toast. Sip responsibly.

For Spicy Cocktail Lovers: Wassail

Ingredients:

  • 2 quarts apple cider
  • 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 3-4 cinnamon sticks
  • 2-3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1-2 cups Virginia Spiced Rum of your choosing

Preparation:

In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the cider, orange and lemon juices, cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground cloves and ground ginger; do not boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 2 hours. Remove from heat, add spirits and serve in mugs.

Optional: garnish with a cinnamon stick, orange peel and whole star anise.

Yields 8-10 servings.

For Caffeinated Cocktail Lovers: Peppermint Mocha

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz Waterman Spirits Vanilla Organic Vodka
  • 1.5 oz Espresso
  • 1/2 oz Baileys Chocolate
  • 1/2 oz Peppermint schnapps

Preparation:

Crush candy canes or peppermints to add to the rim of your cocktail. Add all ingredients to a shaker and pour over ice. Add whipped cream on top.

For Party Cocktail Lovers: Jingle Juice

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz Virginia-Highland Whisky
  • 1 oz cranberry sage simple syrup*
  • ½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ oz freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ½ oz Cointreau
  • Fresh red cranberries
  • Orange bitters

Preparation:

Combine the first 5 ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until the shaker is completely frosted. Pour into a sugar rimmed glass and top with 2 dashes of orange bitters. Stir and garnish with 2-3 red cranberries.

For Chocolate Cocktail Lovers: Bourbon Cream Dark Cherry Chocolate Martini

Ingredients:

  • 4 oz Tarnished Truth Bourbon Cream
  • 2 oz White chocolate liquor
  • 1 oz dark cherry syrup*
  • Garnish: chocolate shavings and frozen cherry
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Preparation:

Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with chocolate shavings and a frozen cherry.

For Creamy Cocktail Lovers: Holiday Eggnog

Ingredients:

  • 16 eggs separated
  • 2 c. sugar
  • (4) 14 oz. cans coconut milk
  • 3 c. half & half
  • 1 can condensed milk
  • 4 c. Reservoir Bourbon
  • ½ tsp allspice
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • 2 tsp angostura bitters
  • Pinch of salt

Preparation:

Yields 6-7 quarts. Whip the egg whites in a stand mixer on low until frothy (about 30 sec), then up to medium-high speed until they are thick and resemble shaving cream (about 90 secs). Add 1 cup of the sugar and mix on high, about 30 seconds. Set aside.

In separate bowl, combine the egg yolks and the other cup of sugar. Beat on medium-high until pale yellow and ribbony, about 2 minutes.

Add the coconut milk, the condensed milk, the half and half, spices, vanilla, bitters, and alcohol on a low speed to combine. Gently fold this into the egg-white mixture and serve. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.


That’s not all, head here for the entire curated list of holiday-themed, winter cocktails to get you through the most festive time of year.