Beyond the Hot Toddy: Winter Cocktail Ideas
Aug 14, 2024
Although Australia isn’t known for its winters, it’s still a good idea to lean into the cooler months for seasonal cocktail inspiration. Of course, depending on where you are in the country winter temperatures can vary drastically, this presents us with more opportunities for creativity and to break out of what might traditionally be considered a winter cocktail.
If you want to create a winter special this year but aren’t sure where to start, then look no further! We picked the brains of two of our Brand Ambassadors, Tracy Gardner (Reserve Brand Ambassador for VIC and TAS) and Simone Sanna (Reserve Brand Ambassador for WA and SA) to get their suggestions.
First things first, why is having a winter cocktail menu or special a good idea?
Simone
A Winter cocktail menu or special is important for several reasons.
First and foremost, it's all about seasonal appeal. Winter cocktails might feature flavours and ingredients that evoke the season, such as spices, warm beverages, and richer, comforting profiles. This enhances the guest’s experience by aligning with the atmosphere which can result in attracting more guests to your venue. It also creates a sense of urgency, as these cocktails are only available for a limited time. Finally, it encourages bartenders to experiment with new ingredients and techniques, keeping the team engaged and motivated whilst keeping the menu fresh and interesting for your regulars!
How do you approach winter cocktails, compared to summer cocktails?
Tracy
With summer cocktails I love to lean into fresh fruit and lighter flavours. With winter cocktails I like to use a lot of spices, I love nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and cardamom. A great way to integrate these types of ingredients is using a spiced rum! (see my Rumball Espresso Martini recipe below!)
Do winter cocktails have to be warm?
Simone
In short, no. Warm cocktails like mulled wine and Hot Toddies are popular choices and often come to mind during the colder months, but there are plenty of other options that can be served cold. These cocktails often incorporate seasonal flavours and ingredients that evoke the feeling of winter.
A good example is a twist on the classic Coffee Cocktail with Ron Zacapa 23, Ruby Port, a whole egg, simple syrup, and grated nutmeg as a garnish. Just the sound of those ingredients makes me think of winter and cosiness without it being warm. You can also try this with any other aged spirit such as Johnnie Walker Black Label.
Up Is Down
30 ml Ron Zacapa 23
60 ml Port (Ruby or Tawny work well)
5-10 ml Sugar Syrup
1 whole egg
Grated Nutmeg (Garnish)
Add the ingredients to a shaker and dry shake (without ice).
Add ice to the shaker and shake again to chill
Strain into a chilled coup glass
Garnish with grated nutmeg
Approx 1.8 Std Drinks
Tracy
No! You can make a warm climate-friendly cocktail menu. I love to make Winter Spritzes, which are a great way to be seasonal, using winter berries. This recipe is delicious with London Dry Gin’s like Tanqueray and Gorndon’s but you could also give it a Try with Gordons Pink Gin!
Spiced Bramble Spritz
30ml Tanqueray London Dry Gin
20ml Dry Vermouth
30ml Cinnamon-infused Monin Blackberry*
75ml Fever Tree Raspberry soda
Build the ingredients into a wine glass and add cubed ice
Garnish with a cinnamon stick
Approx 1.22 Std Drink
*Cinnamon-infused Monin Blackberry
Add 3 cinnamon sticks to 700ml Monin Blackberry.
Leave to infuse for 24 hours or to taste. Strain and bottle.
Do winter cocktails have to use dark spirits?
Simone
Winter cocktails don't always have to rely on dark spirits, even though they are often favoured for their warming qualities and flavours that pair well with the season's spices and richer ingredients. For example, the Bees Knees cocktail shows that gin can be just as effective.
Bees Knees
60 ml Tanqueray London Dry Gin
20 ml Lemon Juice
15 ml Honey Syrup
Chilled Coup glass
Lemon Zest (Garnish)
Approx 1.9 Std Drinks
Add the ingredients to a shaker and shake for 10-15 seconds until chilled. Strain into your chilled glass and express a small amount of the lemon oils over the top of the drink,
Have you thought about the White Russian for a winter cocktail? It's a classic choice, give it a try!
White Russian
30ml Smirnoff Vodka
30ml Mr Black
30ml Single cream
Cherry (Garnish)
Rocks glass
Cubed ice
Approx 1.45 Std Drinks
Add all ingredients to a rocks glass filled with ice, stir, garnish and serve.
Have you got any more recipes up your sleeve that would be good to add to a winter menu?
Winter Daiquiri
60ml Pampero Anejo Especial Rum
15ml Pure Cranberry & Vanilla Syrup
30ml Lime
4 Sage Leaves
Chilled Coup glass
Lime Coin (garnish)
Method:
Add all the ingredients into a shaker and shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds. Double-strain the mixture into a coupette.
Cut a lime coin and squeeze over the surface, then discard it.
Approx 1.9 Std drinks
Prep:
Cranberry & Vanilla Syrup
Put half a vanilla pod and pure organic cranberry juice in a pan.
Slowly cook the cranberry juice until it’s reduced to two-thirds.
Add sugar equal to half the volume of the reduced juice and dissolve
Rumball Espresso Martini
45ml Bundaberg Rumball Liqueur (alternatively you cold substitute Captain Morgans Spiced)
15ml Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur
30ml cold drip/ fresh espresso
Sugar syrup to taste
Method:
Add chocolate swirl to a chilled martini or coupe glass.
Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake for 10- 15 seconds until chilled.
Double strain into the prepared glass
Approx 0.59 Std Drinks
There you have it! I hope you enjoyed our Winter cocktail FAQ. If you want to keep in touch with Simone, Tracy or Diageo Bar Academy, the best place to find us is via our socials
Simone: @thesbagliatontour
Tracy: @tequilatracy
Instagram @diageobarac
Facebook: Diageo Bar Academy
