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Warm cocktails, including classics such as hot toddy and hot buttered rum, are popularly consumed during the winter when temperatures drop. However, these drinks are infused with timeless flavours that never really go out of style; thus, they can be enjoyed at any time of the year. In addition to providing warmth to the body, hot cocktails also help relieve cold and cough symptoms like congestion, which typically plague one during the spring allergy season. So, these drinks are not limited to the winter season.
Remarkably, different regions of the world have their own unique warm cocktail offerings. For example, Ireland is famed for its irresistible whiskey-infused Irish coffee, while Indians typically tend to enjoy a nourishing glass of hot toddy. Similarly, Jamaicans are known to devise the delectable hot buttered rum, and an aromatic broth-like concoction called hirezake is all the rage in Japan. Curious to know more about these unique and heartwarming cocktails? You’re in luck.
Check out this list of warm cocktails from around the world to elevate your global palate.
Jägertee, Austria
A quintessentially Austrian creation, Jägertee, also known as “hunter tea,” is crafted by combining boiling black tea with a local variety of rum, simply called “resident rum.” Bartenders and mixologists usually supplement this drink with various ingredients, including citric agents, such as lemon and orange, plus spices like cloves and cinnamon, to enhance the drink’s flavour profile. Available in Austrian cities, including Salzburg, some Jägertee recipes also incorporate plum brandy.
Glühwein, Germany
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Glühwein is Germany’s variation of mulled wine. Although traditionally savoured as a winter drink and a staple in Christmas markets, this beverage is available in German supermarkets, and bars and joints across cities like Munich. Usually served with gingerbread, Glühwein comprises ingredients such as red wine, citrus fruits, cinnamon, cloves, and sugar. It strikes a perfect balance between sweet and savoury flavours, which contributes to its enduring popularity.
Hot Toddy, India
A hot toddy is a nurturing and soulful beverage usually prepared from an amalgamation of whiskey, rum, or brandy. These spirits are typically mixed with honey, lemon juice, and spices like star anise and cinnamon sticks to form a flavourful and invigorating beverage. Popularly used as an antidote to common colds, this drink has roots in British India, where a similar cold beverage made from fermented sap was consumed extensively.
Irish Coffee, Ireland
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An evergreen beverage that tickles one’s sweet tooth, Irish coffee was invented by Chef Joe Sheridan of Limerick. The story goes that he was attempting to energise a bunch of exhausted Pan Am passengers when he added a whiskey shot to a cup of sweetened coffee garnished with fresh cream. Just like that, the iconic Irish coffee was born! Irish coffee is easily available in pubs and bars throughout Ireland.
Hot Buttered Rum, Jamaica
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The Caribbean nation of Jamaica is renowned for its premium rum distilleries; it’s believed that Jamaica first imported rum to Europe and the USA in the 1600s. Subsequently, local Jamaicans innovated many rum recipes, including the comforting hot buttered rum. This cosy beverage is crafted by blending basic ingredients like butter with spices, including nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon, plus Jamaican rum, to create a mouthwatering concoction.
Hirezake, Japan
Hirekaze is an airy, broth-like beverage believed to have been invented in the postwar era to elevate cheap sake. The drink is crafted by infusing pufferfish or sea bream with a piping hot cup of sake. Nearly 60 seconds later, the drink’s lid is taken off and lit to not only add a theatrical element to the beverage but also to burn off some ethanol. Hirekaze is easily available in trendy Tokyo bars and restaurants.
Hot Chocolate With Tequila, Mexico
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Popularly known as “chocolate caliente,” hot chocolate in Mexico packs a spicy punch, being loaded with ingredients including chilli, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon. Premium tequila is also added to dark, hot chocolate to concoct a rich, satisfying, and creamy drink. The custom of blending hot chocolate with tequila is thought to have been innovated in the city of El Moro; therefore, the best varieties of the drink are available here.
