Top 5 Warming Cocktails for Late Autumn

Despite global warming and relatively mild autumn weather, November inevitably brings the first serious chills, accompanied by winds and sleet. The best way to spend long November evenings with the rhythmic drumming of rain is by enjoying a captivating book, an engaging film, and, of course, a glass of a warming and aromatic cocktail. While it may not make you love November, it will certainly make it more tolerable, reminding you of the upcoming festive season and the countdown to spring that follows.

A warming alcoholic cocktail is not only delicious but also an excellent way to ward off colds. These drinks can be made with various types of alcohol and spices, depending on your preferences and imagination. While mulled wine or grog might be the first options that come to mind, they are far from the only hearty beverages to lift your spirits and provide comfort during dark November evenings.

British Hot Cider

Originally invented in France, mild alcoholic cider has since gained popularity across countries and continents, rivalling beer and other refreshing drinks. It also serves as the base for a stronger apple brandy, Calvados.

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 1 litre of English cider

• 75 ml of Calvados or brandy

• 1 teaspoon of honey

• 1 sweet apple (for garnish)

• Cinnamon sticks

• 4–6 cloves

Method:
Combine cider, Calvados, honey, and spices in a saucepan and heat gently, ensuring it doesn’t boil. Let it infuse for an hour. Before serving, reheat and add apple slices. For extra tanginess, include some orange or lemon zest. Adjust the strength of the drink by varying the amount of Calvados to suit your taste.

Blackberry Mulled Wine

Traditional mulled wine made from red wine and spices is a classic, but it might not surprise your guests. For a more creative and spicy version of this popular hot beverage, we recommend blackberry mulled wine. The key is to prepare in advance by stocking up on blackberries during the summer.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle (750 ml) of dry red wine

• ¼ cup of fresh or frozen blackberries (or blackberry juice as an alternative)

• 6 cloves (or ground cloves)

• 4 star anise pods

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 5 juniper berries (fresh, dried, or frozen)

• 2 oranges

• 50 g of brown sugar

Method:
Pour the red wine into a saucepan and add the blackberries, spices, and juniper berries. Simmer on medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 10–15 minutes, ensuring it doesn’t boil. Add orange slices and brown sugar at the end. Stir again and leave on the stove for another 5–7 minutes.

Hot Chocolate with Rum

When rainy and gloomy days start to weigh on you, there are ways to lift your mood and recharge your energy. A swim, a tanning session, or a trip to a sunny destination could bring back the missing vibrancy, but if you need an instant boost, this recipe will do the trick. Hot chocolate, rich in serotonin (known as the happiness hormone), paired with rum, will warm your blood on a chilly autumn evening.

Ingredients:

• 25 ml of rum

• 125 ml of hot cocoa

• 20 g of grated chocolate

• Whipped cream and ground cinnamon

Method:
The beauty of this cocktail lies not only in its energising effects and delightful taste but also in its simplicity. Mix the rum and hot cocoa in a glass, then sprinkle with grated chocolate. Top with whipped cream, add a dash of cinnamon, and garnish with a slice of orange chips or candied peel.

Rob Roy

If you’re already warm and craving something strong, aromatic, but cool, Rob Roy is a perfect choice. This cocktail, served with ice, combines Scottish Scotch whisky, vermouth, and Angostura bitters.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml of Scotch whisky

• 40 ml of red vermouth

• A few drops of Angostura bitters

• Orange zest

• Cocktail cherry

• Olive

• 300 g of ice cubes

Method:
Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes, add the red vermouth and Scotch whisky, then a few drops of Angostura bitters. Stir with a bar spoon and let the drink cool for a few minutes, softening the flavours. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with orange zest or a cherry. You can also add an olive directly into the drink.

Eggnog

Source: Freepik

If you’re eager to embrace the "spirit of Christmas," nothing beats a classic eggnog. This festive cocktail, believed to have originated in Scotland, is thought to derive from the British posset – a traditional hot milk drink curdled with wine or ale and spiced. Modern eggnog, made with strong alcohol or wine, syrups, liqueurs, eggs, and milk, paired with homemade pastries, can transform any dull November evening into a cosy celebration.

Ingredients (for a small group of friends):

• 400 ml of milk

• 400 ml of 20% cream

• 6 eggs

• 200 ml of whisky (or bourbon or white rum as alternatives)

• 120 g of sugar

• Vanilla, cloves, cinnamon, ground nutmeg to taste

Method:
Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Blend the yolks with sugar and vanilla until smooth, then add cinnamon. Heat the milk in a saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously without boiling. Gradually add the egg mixture, followed by cream and whisky. Let it cool and serve.

Enjoy your warming autumn cocktails, and let them turn chilly evenings into moments of comfort and joy!