There's a musical silence when you stand outside with snow swirling around you, spiraling towards the ground. And as enjoyable as that rare silence can be, it gets cold fast. Enjoy the beauty of winter, but keep the chill at bay with hot mocktails that'll warm you from your nose to your toes.
Hot Toddy Mocktail
Hot toddies, while technically not medicine, are totally medicine for the soul. So whether you find yourself ailed by a cold or being around too many people, this nonalcoholic version does the trick.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces nonalcoholic bourbon
- 4 ounces herbal tea, freshly brewed
- ¾ ounce honey simple syrup
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug.
- In the warm mug, add nonalcoholic bourbon, herbal tea, honey simple syrup, and lemon juice.
- Stir carefully to mix.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
It's Cold Out-Cider
It's getting colder and colder outside. Whether you're heading out for a winter walk to enjoy the lights, watching the kiddos frolic in the snow, or watching from behind a frosty window, complete the dream with this warm cider mocktail.
Ingredients
- 5 ounces apple cider
- ¾ ounce spiced simple syrup
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 ounces nonalcoholic spiced rum, optional
- Star anise, cinnamon stick, and apple slice for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, add apple cider, spiced simple syrup, and lemon juice.
- Bring to a simmer and allow to warm through completely.
- Remove from heat and stir in the nonalcoholic rum, if using.
- Pour into the warm mug.
- Garnish with a star anise, cinnamon stick, and apple slice.
Whoville Mulled Wine Mocktail
Every Who down in Whoville, the big and the small, can't stop winter from coming at all. But they can enjoy nonalcoholic mulled wine when the snow whips around, and the bustle of holiday activities abound. Just like the Whos, you'll love zero-proof mulled wine. The warmth that it spreads is simply divine.
Little Drummer Boy Hot Coffee Mocktail
No booze in your coffee does not equal a plain ol' regular coffee. No, no, no, not during a season positively brewing with festive, rich flavors. See what we did there?
Ingredients
- 5 ounces freshly brewed coffee
- ½ ounce brown sugar simple syrup
- ¼ ounce maple syrup
- 2-3 dashes cinnamon bitters
- 1 dash mole bitters
- Whipped cream for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug.
- In the warm mug, add coffee, brown sugar, simple syrup, maple syrup, and bitters.
- Stir carefully to mix
- Garnish with whipped cream.
Ralphie's Nightcap
After a long afternoon of day dreaming about the Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun, there's only one thing that can help little Ralphie cool his jets before climbing into bed. Only to dream of that very same Red Ryder...
Ingredients
- 4 ounces apple cider
- ½ ounce almond syrup
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 small pat butter
- Lemon wheel and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug.
- In a small pan over medium heat, add apple cider, almond syrup, lemon juice, and butter.
- Allow to warm through and stir to thoroughly mix.
- Carefully pour into the warmed mug.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and cinnamon stick.
Snowdrift
Whether you're the one doing the sledding or you're watching the sledders, there's something about a spiced and cozy hot chocolate mocktail that ties the scene together with a bow.
Ingredients
- 5 ounces hot chocolate
- 1½ ounces nonalcoholic spiced rum
- 2-3 dashes almond bitters
- Marshmallows for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug.
- In the warmed mug, add hot chocolate, nonalcoholic spiced rum, and bitters.
- Stir carefully to mix.
- Garnish with marshmallows.
Warm and Cran-Merry Mocktail
Rooibos tea and cranberry juice merry... sorry — marry, together to make a dreamy mocktail that'll warm you from head to toe.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces rooibos tea
- 2 ounces apple cinnamon tea
- 1½ ounces cranberry juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- Cinnamon stick and orange wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug.
- In the warmed mug, add rooibos tea, apple cinnamon tea, cranberry juice, and orange juice.
- Stir to mix.
- Garnish with an orange wheel and a cinnamon stick.
Cuddle Up With a Hot Mocktail This Winter
There's something so inherently cozy and snuggly about a warm mug in your hands. And when that warm mug is more than just the usual tea or coffee, there's a whisper of magic in that moment. To add that whimsy, all it takes is a dash of mocktail magic. Then, you're ready to hit the slopes or dominate that snowball fight.
