As the days turn cooler and you break out the cardigans and coats, we invite you to sample these local Pacific Northwest libations—or use the easy recipes to create your own hot winter cocktails.

The weather in the Pacific Northwest has already turned toward winter. Where I live in Longview, Washington, mornings are already in the low 40s, and the highs for the day might reach the mid-50s. It is time to break out the cardigans, boots, and raincoats. It is also the time to stoke up the fire and round up the ingredients to prepare a few decadent hot winter cocktails.

My friend, Christie, and I did our due diligence, and over a few days we researched and found several tasty winter warmers served at local bars, taverns, restaurants, and nearby eateries. Follow the drink trail we blazed in our search for luscious local libations or simply follow the recipes to make your version at home.

The Carriage Restaurant & Lounge Serves Amazing Hot Winter Cocktails

The Carriage Restaurant & Lounge, located in downtown Longview, sports several TVs, dartboards, and lottery machines. The wood-beam ceilings and chandeliers give the place a rustic but warm and inviting feel. Whether you want to watch a game, compete with friends, or try to hit the jackpot, this lounge offers plenty to do. The bartender, Andrew, whipped up a hot winter cocktail for Christie and me.

Hot Captain Morgan® Pumpkin Pie, a Delicious Hot Winter Cocktail

This sweet and tasty cocktail will cut through any evening’s frost.

The Hot Captain Morgan® Pumpkin Pie The Carriage House Restaurant & Lounge. Photo by Tracy Ellen Beard

INGREDIENTS

• 8 oz hot coffee
• ½ oz Captain Morgan® Original Spiced Rum
• ½ oz Baileys Original Irish Cream
• ½ oz Kahlúa
• 1 Tbsp creamer
• 1 lemon wedge
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice
• Whipped cream

PREPARATION

1. Rub the edge of a glass mug with a lemon wedge.
2. Dip into the sugar to coat the rim.
3. Add hot coffee and pumpkin pie spice. Stir to mix.
4. Add the rum, Baileys, creamer, and Kahlúa. Mix.
5. Top with whipped cream and a pinch of pumpkin pie spice.

Vintage Bistro

Unfortunately, the Vintage Bistro closed down, but when Christie and I began our quest, the manager blended hot coffee—mentioning that it was Guse’s Gourmet Coffee, a local coffee roasted in Longview—with fresh orange juice, Gran Gala liqueur, and Bacardi 151. She decorated the drink with whipped cream and a Bordeaux cherry. These cherries are not the dyed red Maraschinos most are familiar with; they are deep-dark purple cherries that pack a punch with vibrant flavor. Below is my version of this winter favorite.

Tracy’s Ultimate Spanish Coffee

One of my Spanish coffees is enough to warm anyone from the inside out. It has all the traditional ingredients with a cherry on top.

Spanish coffee at Vintage Bistro. Photo by Tracy Ellen Beard

INGREDIENTS

• 8 oz hot coffee
• 1 ½ oz Bacardi 151 rum
• 1 oz Kahlúa
• ½ oz Triple Sec
• 1 lemon wedge
• 1 Bordeaux cherry
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• Whipped cream

PREPARATION

1. Make your favorite hot coffee.
2. Put the sugar on a plate. Rub lemon wedge around the rim of the heatproof glass, and dip the edge in the sugar.
3. Pour the rum into the glass, add the Kahlúa, and top it with the Triple Sec.
4. Light the liquor on fire with a match. Let it burn for a minute while you tip the glass a bit to caramelize the sugar on the rim, then pour the coffee over the top to put out the fire.
5. Top the hot cocktail with whipped cream and a Bordeaux cherry.

The Breakroom Bar at the Mill City Grill, the Perfect Place for a Hot Winter Cocktail

The Mill City Grill is a local eatery in downtown Longview, and the Breakroom Bar is upstairs. Trina, the bar owner, makes a holiday concoction each year.

Trina’s Salted Caramel Cider Toddy

The apple flavor stands front and center, and the caramel adds a bit of sweetness. The salted rim cuts through the sugar, balancing the flavors to perfection.

Salted Caramel Cider at The Mill City Grill. Photo by Tracy Ellen Beard

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ½ oz Crown Royal Regal Apple – or another apple-flavored whiskey
• 8 oz hot apple cider
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 slice green apple
• Caramel sauce

PREPARATION

1. Dip the rim of the glass in caramel sauce and drizzle the sauce inside the glass.
2. Dip the rim into the salt.
3. Pour in the Crown Royal and hot apple cider.
4. Stir gently with the cinnamon stick and garnish with the apple slice.

Porky’s Public House & Eatery Offers Terrific Hot Winter Cocktails

Porky’s Public House & Eatery is a fun and energetic establishment. Located on Industrial Way near the local mills, it attracts a robust after-work crowd and hosts live music throughout the year. JR, one of the bartenders, invented a delicious hot holiday drink for me on the spot.

Winter Dream

This rich and creamy dessert-like cocktail warmed me to the bone.

Winter Dream, at Porky’s Public House & Eatery is a fabulous hot winter cocktail. Photo by Tracy Ellen Beard

INGREDIENTS

• 4 Tbsps Arctic’s white hot cocoa mix
• 7 oz hot water
• 1 oz Captain Morgan® Original Spiced Rum
• ½ oz Kahlúa (pumpkin flavored)
• Dark chocolate sauce
• Whipped cream

PREPARATION

1. Blend the Arctic’s white hot cocoa mix with the hot water.
2. Pour hot cocoa into a cup and add the spiced rum and Kahlúa.
3. Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of dark chocolate sauce.

The Office 842 is a Wonderful Place to Sip on a Hot Winter Cocktail

The Office 842 is a trendy spot offering unique cocktails and small gourmet plates. The sophisticated décor and upscale food and drinks create a club-like, fun atmosphere. Brittany, the mixologist and night manager, crafted a scrumptious new surprise for me to sample.

Spiced Plum Toddy

Brittany thought outside of the box on this one. The flavors were familiar yet new and exciting. The drink is undoubtedly one to enjoy when the winter’s chill is in the air.

Spiced Plum Toddy at Office 842. Photo by Tracy Ellen Beard

INGREDIENTS

Plum Syrup

• 8 oz granulated sugar
• 8 oz water
• 8 oz plums (about 4 plums washed, pitted, sliced)
• 1 vanilla bean
• 1 cinnamon stick

Spiced Plum Toddy

• 4 oz hot plum-cinnamon simple syrup
• 4 oz scalding hot water
• 1 oz Captain Morgan® Original Spiced Rum
• Whipped cream
• 1 pinch cinnamon
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 plum slice

PREPARATION

Plum Syrup

1. In a small saucepan, dissolve sugar in water over medium-high heat. Once the sugar is dissolved, add the sliced plums, vanilla bean, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
2. Remove the cinnamon stick and vanilla bean.
3. With a standard or immersion blender, puree plum syrup until smooth. Strain syrup through a fine mesh strainer twice.

Spiced Plum Toddy

1. Place the syrup, hot water, and rum in a glass.
2. Stir to mix.
3. Top with whipped cream.
4. Sprinkle with cinnamon and garnish with plum slice and cinnamon stick.

Goble Tavern

Fabulous holiday winter warmers also abound on the other side of the border in Oregon. The historic Goble Tavern on Highway 30 is just six miles east of Rainier. This popular establishment features pool tables and TVs to help keep visitors entertained. Michelle, one of the bartenders, made me her Spiked Hot Chocolate. Below is my version of the drink.

Spiked Hot Chocolate

My sense of traditional hot chocolate rose to a new level with the rum infusion. This “adult cocoa” may knock your socks off, so beware.

Spiked Hot Chocolate at the Beard house. Photo by Tracy Ellen Beard

INGREDIENTS

Tracy’s Hot Chocolate

• 8 oz half and half
• 8 oz heavy cream
• ¼ cup Nestle’s Cocoa Mix
• ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tsp real vanilla

(you will have extra hot chocolate)

Spiked Hot Chocolate

• 8 oz Tracy’s hot chocolate
• 1 oz Captain Morgan® Original Spiced Rum or Baileys Irish Cream
• Whipped cream
• ½ oz dark chocolate (shaved)

PREPARATION

Tracy’s Hot Chocolate

1. Place heavy cream in a saucepan and add the chocolate chips. Whisk until melted.
2. Whisk half and half, vanilla, and Nestle’s Cocoa Mix into the cream.

Tracy’s Spiked Hot Chocolate

1. Put Tracy’s hot chocolate in a cup.
2. Add spiced rum or Baileys.
3. Top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

Bananas Foster Toddy

I created this cocktail with the famous dessert in mind.

My Bananas Foster Toddy is warm and tasty. Photo by Tracy Ellen Beard

INGREDIENTS

• 4 oz boiling water
• 2 tsp Reser’s Hot Buttered Rum Mix
• 3/4 oz spiced rum
• 3/4 oz vanilla vodka
• 1/4 oz banana liquor
• 1/4 oz butterscotch schnaps
• lemon wedge
• 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
• pinch cinnamon

PREPARATION

1. Rub the heatproof glass with a lemon wedge and dip it in sugar.
2. Bring water to a boil and blend in with hot buttered rum mix.
3. Pour the rum mix into the glass and add the vanilla vodka, banana liquor, and butternut schnapps.
4. Top with whipped cream.

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Hot Winter Cocktail Memories

Remember the song “Let it, Snow”? Dean Martin sang, “Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire inside is delightful.” Assemble a group of your adult friends and loved ones, build a fire in your home, and sample a few of these winter warmer cocktails this holiday season. For more spirited cocktail recipes or holiday bubbles, check out Wander with Wonder.

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Heat Up the Holidays with These 7 Winter Warmers