3 Next-Level Cocktails to Warm Your Frosty Soul
Words: Shamim de Brún
Images: Instagram
Words: Shamim de Brún
Images: Instagram
Ah, December, the month of snuggling up in your fave blankie, rocking those fuzzy socks, and layering up like you’re prepping for an Arctic expedition. After surviving the rollercoaster of 2023, what’s better than wrapping up the year with your ride-or-die crew, sipping on winter cocktails that are as extra as your cousin’s holiday decorations?
Thanks to tutorials like these and books like Kitchen Cocktails that spill the tea on crafting killer cocktails people are upping their home cocktail game. Homebodies are levelling up, seeking a swanky vibe within the four walls of their own decked-out gaff.
So, whether you’re glued to your couch under a blanket (surprise, surprise) or gearing up for an epic holiday bash, consider getting in the cocktail spirits and having a go. Impress your crew with a masterpiece from booze wizard, Oisin Davis.
Whatever you choose, these winter cocktails are your ticket to a season that’s equal parts boozy and boujee.
Powers Hazelnut Irish Coffee
Let’s kick things off with a classic, but not-so-basic twist – the Powers Hazelnut Irish Coffee. Sure, your granny might swear by the traditional version, but we’re not here to play it safe. A steaming cup of robust coffee supported by the knockout that is Powers Irish whiskey and kissed by the warm embrace of hazelnut.
We’re not going full rogue here, though. It’s still finished with a dollop of fresh cream and some grated nutmeg. The Hazelnut Irish Coffee is so good and makes so much sense that you’ll wonder why you never thought of it in the first place.
The Recipe:
35ml Powers
One teaspoon hazelnut syrup
100ml fresh coffee
Lightly whipped cream
Fresh nutmeg.
The Method :
Grab a glass and heat it like you’re in a heated argument with your neighbour about whose lawn is greener.
Measure out 35ml of Powers. Pour it into the heated glass, after you’ve checked the hot water!
Drop in a teaspoon of hazelnut syrup and stir it like you’re mixing the hottest gossip in town.
Add 100ml of fresh coffee. Make it strong enough to wake the dead, or at least your groggy self. But just don’t burn it.
Now, the pièce de résistance – the lightly whipped cream. Pour it over the back of a spoon because it stops the cream from sinking through and into the cocktail.
Grate fresh nutmeg over the concoction. Do it with the confidence of someone who has no idea how much nutmeg is too much. Sprinkle it liberally; it’s your drink, after all.
Voilà! Your Hazelnut Irish Coffee is ready to enjoy.
Absolut Kahlua Chocolate Espresso Martini
If you thought espresso martinis were so last season, think again. We present you with the king of the genre, the Absolut Kahlua Chocolate Espresso Martini – a concoction so decadent it’s practically a dessert in a glass. Plus, it’s easier to make than your average. You get your bits, blend and pour. Not even a strainer is needed.
Sip on this liquid masterpiece and feel the warmth of a thousand fireplaces, even if you’re just cosied up on your couch. This cocktail is not for the faint of heart or the overly serious. It’s for those who like their beverages shaken, stirred, and blended into oblivion. The only thing stronger than the caffeine kick is the realization that your winter entertaining just got a whole lot easier.
The Recipe:
35ml Absolut Vodka
35ml Kahlua
1 shot of Espresso Coffee
1 Teaspoon of Chocolate Syrup
4 Ice Cubes
Coffee Beans (for that extra oomph)
1 Blender
The Method:
Pour the vodka, Kahlua, espresso coffee, and chocolate syrup into the blender. Pretend you’re a mad scientist concocting a potion for pure bliss. Hit the blend button and let the liquids dance together like nobody’s watching.
Add the rebellious ice cubes to the blender. They’re about to join the liquid party, and things are about to get frosty.
Hit the blend button again like you’re challenging the blender to a duel. Blend until it reaches a smooth consistency, or until your neighbors start complaining about the noise. Your call.
Grab a glass that can handle the glory of this concoction. Bonus points if it’s as extra as your aunt’s crystal collection.
Pour your Blitzed Buzz into the glass. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle a few coffee beans on top for that Instagram-worthy touch.
Voilà! Your Absolut Kahlua Chocolate Espresso Martin is ready to enjoy.
Powers Hot Toddy
Time to turn up the heat with a Powers Hot Toddy. Whether it’s legit or just some grandma’s wild tale, this bad boy is rumoured to kick any cold’s butt. In “fancy” terms, the whiskey’s magic opens up your blood vessels, giving your body a fighting chance against the nasty infection. Mix that spirit vibe with hot water (or herbal tea), honey, and lemon – bam, you’ve got a concoction that not only zaps your cold but tastes like joy.
According to the legends, by the time you polish off this elixir, you’ll be breathing like a champ, and the booze will slide in to make you all sleepy and chillaxed. You don’t need to be playing the sick card to enjoy this night-time hero. The Powers Hot Toddy is here to soothe your soul with its delightful blend of Powers whiskey, honey, and lemon. It’s the liquid equivalent of a warm blanket and a caring pat on the back.
Ingredients:
35ml Powers Gold Label Whiskey (or more if you’re feeling audacious)
1 tsp of Granulated Sugar
Half Slice of Lemon
5 Cloves
Boiling Water
Method:
Let’s start by warming your glass, like a pre-party stretch for your drinking vessel. Throw in a spoon and some boiling water to get things steamy. And yes, the spoon is not just for show; it’s preventing glass drama. Safety first, even in the rebel’s den.
Stick a clove into each triangular section of that half-lemon slice. Toss the dressed-up lemon into the glass, along with the whiskey. Fashion-forward cocktails only, darling.
Pour in a generous 100-120ml of boiling water because lukewarm is for the faint of heart. We’re aiming for hot, just like your takes on the latest trends.
Sweeten the deal with a little sugar and stir it. Make sure it dissolves and if you’re feeling fancy, squeeze in a bit more lemon juice.
Voilà! Your Powers hot toddy is ready to enjoy.
In the realm of winter cocktails, Irish Kitchen Cocktails has thrown down the gauntlet. These next-level concoctions are a celebration of what we can do with the flavours that are already in our kitchen. So, grab your favourite mug or martini glass and let the winter begin.
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