With temps so low that boiling water will freeze when you throw it in the air, you might be tempted to hole up for the night/week/entire rest of winter. But what better to lure you out of hibernation than that beloved mix of hot beverage plus booze? The following list gives a rundown of some of the Twin Cities' tastiest and toastiest cocktails. This list has got everything, from traditional Hot Buttered Rum and Irish Coffee to mixologist-approved hot cocktails (allspice dram, anyone?). Oh, and there's even some 16th century Wassail to really warm your bones.
Did we miss your favorite hot cocktail? Let us know in the comments—the more hot cocktails, the merrier.
Hot drinks abound at this Uptown bowling alley/bar/restaurant/performance space. There are five steamy libations to pick from, including the Pirate's Cove (Gosling's black seal rum, allspice dram, Hum botanical liqueur, and hot apple cider) and the Hello Goodbye Window (brandy, Gosling's black seal rum, almond syrup, and steamed milk).
The seasonal cocktail menu features one hot drink and one only, but it's a winner. The Winter Sea Change is a mix of El Dorado 5-year Demarera Rum, rosemary-honey-ginger syrup, lemon juice, Bittercube blackstrap bitters, and hot water.
This Uptown diner/nightspot recently added a line of hot dessert drinks to the menu, including the Brandy-Mocha-Almond (brandy, amaretto, chocolate syrup, and coffee) and Irish Coffee (2 Gingers Irish whiskey, brown sugar, coffee). Both are topped with Grand Marnier-brown sugar whipped cream.
The Local is all 2 Gingers, all the time, and that includes their hot drinks: the Cherries & Chocolate (hot chocolate with cherry-infused 2 Gingers), the Sinful Cider (hot apple cider with cinnamon-infused 2 Gingers), the Local Irish Cream (house-blended Irish cream with hot coffee), and, of course, the traditional Irish Coffee (with Guinness syrup).
This St. Anthony Main staple is a favorite for their spiked cider, spiked hot chocolate, and hot toddies. You can choose your poison for the spiking. Pro-tip: Ask the bartender what other hot boozey beverages they can conjure up - they have some off-the-menu favorites, as well.
For a twist on a hot beverage, why not try some hot sake? Masu has lots of sakes to choose from, but they recommend two that could be served hot: the Yuri Masamune and the Dewatsuru "Crane of the Dewa." Make sure to request that they be served warm (the default is serving them either cold or room temperature).
Known for its killer martinis, Eli's Northeast also turns out two infused hot toddies to warm your bones. Take your pick: orange-ginger-rye or chai-raisin-rum. Note: The hot toddies are only at the Northeast location.
This Longfellow neighborhood pub might be known for their fish and chips, but they've got some might fine hot drinks on the menu, as well. Try the Nanny's Cure-All (ginger-infused Jameson with hot apple cider) or traditional drinks like Irish Coffee (made with Peace coffee, natch), Merlin's Hot Chocolate (with Bailey's and Grand Marnier), and Hot Buttered Rum from scratch.
This St. Paul institution has six hot drinks on the menu. Three are coffee-based, but we're really eying the Hot Buttered Rum or the Wassail Bowl, a traditional English hot beverage that W.A. Frost has been making (with the same recipe) for over 30 years.
This Irish pub is known for - surprise, surprise - its Irish coffee, made with 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey, Guinness-infused simple syrup, fresh coffee, and homemade whipped cream. But also check out the Brown Eyed Girl: hot chocolate with Frangelico and Bailey's, also topped with homemade whipped cream.
Hot drinks abound at this Uptown bowling alley/bar/restaurant/performance space. There are five steamy libations to pick from, including the Pirate's Cove (Gosling's black seal rum, allspice dram, Hum botanical liqueur, and hot apple cider) and the Hello Goodbye Window (brandy, Gosling's black seal rum, almond syrup, and steamed milk).
The seasonal cocktail menu features one hot drink and one only, but it's a winner. The Winter Sea Change is a mix of El Dorado 5-year Demarera Rum, rosemary-honey-ginger syrup, lemon juice, Bittercube blackstrap bitters, and hot water.
This Uptown diner/nightspot recently added a line of hot dessert drinks to the menu, including the Brandy-Mocha-Almond (brandy, amaretto, chocolate syrup, and coffee) and Irish Coffee (2 Gingers Irish whiskey, brown sugar, coffee). Both are topped with Grand Marnier-brown sugar whipped cream.
The Local is all 2 Gingers, all the time, and that includes their hot drinks: the Cherries & Chocolate (hot chocolate with cherry-infused 2 Gingers), the Sinful Cider (hot apple cider with cinnamon-infused 2 Gingers), the Local Irish Cream (house-blended Irish cream with hot coffee), and, of course, the traditional Irish Coffee (with Guinness syrup).
This St. Anthony Main staple is a favorite for their spiked cider, spiked hot chocolate, and hot toddies. You can choose your poison for the spiking. Pro-tip: Ask the bartender what other hot boozey beverages they can conjure up - they have some off-the-menu favorites, as well.
For a twist on a hot beverage, why not try some hot sake? Masu has lots of sakes to choose from, but they recommend two that could be served hot: the Yuri Masamune and the Dewatsuru "Crane of the Dewa." Make sure to request that they be served warm (the default is serving them either cold or room temperature).
Known for its killer martinis, Eli's Northeast also turns out two infused hot toddies to warm your bones. Take your pick: orange-ginger-rye or chai-raisin-rum. Note: The hot toddies are only at the Northeast location.
This Longfellow neighborhood pub might be known for their fish and chips, but they've got some might fine hot drinks on the menu, as well. Try the Nanny's Cure-All (ginger-infused Jameson with hot apple cider) or traditional drinks like Irish Coffee (made with Peace coffee, natch), Merlin's Hot Chocolate (with Bailey's and Grand Marnier), and Hot Buttered Rum from scratch.
This St. Paul institution has six hot drinks on the menu. Three are coffee-based, but we're really eying the Hot Buttered Rum or the Wassail Bowl, a traditional English hot beverage that W.A. Frost has been making (with the same recipe) for over 30 years.
This Irish pub is known for - surprise, surprise - its Irish coffee, made with 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey, Guinness-infused simple syrup, fresh coffee, and homemade whipped cream. But also check out the Brown Eyed Girl: hot chocolate with Frangelico and Bailey's, also topped with homemade whipped cream.
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