With the majority of the nation under a bit of a cold spell (as I type this the wind chill in my town just hit a cool and breezy -21 degrees Fahrenheit), we thought it best to revisit one of the best winter drinks around: the hot toddy. A classic drink for these bone-chilling days, the Hot Toddy is best consumed next to the warmest fireplace and under the softest blanket you can find. National Hot Toddy day is technically January 11, but for those of us living on conditions befitting an ice planet, it could very well be any day until April.

The Classic Hot Toddy
1 1/2 oz brandy, whiskey, or rum (note: depending on my mood, I’ll opt for either Bulleit, Eagle Rare. or Old Forester as the main event here)
1 tablespoon honey
Juice from 1/2 lemon
8 oz hot water
1 tea bag
1 pinch of fresh ground nutmeg (optional)

Add honey to the bottom of your mug or glass and spread it around. Add the spirit of your choice and lemon juice. Pour hot water and tea bag into glass and stir. Repeat as often as necessary. 

Red Hot Ruby Punch
(Courtesy of Jason Cousins, Da Claudio, NYC)
750 ml Tincup Whiskey
16 oz boiling water
8 oz PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
8 oz ruby port wine
8 oz fresh orange juice
8 oz demerara sugar (raw)
4 large navel oranges
Seeds from 1 large pomegranate

In a spice bag:
1 tbsp allspice
1 tbsp whole cloves
1 whole cinnamon stick

Completely peel four oranges, avoiding the white pith. Add orange peels to a mixing bowl with raw sugar and muddle, grinding the sugar into the oils. (Reserve the orange fruit for juicing.) Let stand for 30 minutes while the sugar pulls the oils from the peels. Stir in 16 oz of boiling water until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove orange peels and add spice bag. Let sit while preparing the remaining ingredients. Add Tincup, PAMA liqueur, port wine, and orange juice to a 3.5 quart or larger slow cooker. Pour in the orange sugar mixture and keep warm on low heat. Ladle and serve, garnishing with a clove-studded orange disk and a cinnamon stick.

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