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A flaming drink at Stable.

17 Warming Cocktails to Drink Right Now

Seasonal tipples designed to fight winter's chill

by Lani Furbank Updated Jan 2, 2018, 12:42pm EST

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A flaming drink at Stable.

| Stable

by Lani Furbank Updated Jan 2, 2018, 12:42pm EST

Winter is here, and so are the frigid temps. That means bars are heating up their cocktails to offer relief for frozen hands and rosy cheeks. Find a winterized patio stocked with fire pits and blankets to accompany a thermos of mulled cider, or head indoors to snuggle in an armchair with a hot toddy.

Many establishments across the city are providing respite from the cold with creative hot cocktails of all kinds. There are tea-based tipples, decadent liquid desserts, warm punches, spiced wines, hot sangrias, and more. Many spots also put their own spins on classic cold weather drinks, like the Balkan hot toddy at Ambar and hot chocolate topped with a foie-gras butter ball at Buffalo & Bergen.

Tried any other hot drinks around town? Share personal favorites in the comments or sound off via email (dc@eater.com).

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Taqueria del Barrio

The Ponche Navideño is a hot Mexican punch typically served during the holidays. Taqueria del Barrio’s version features rum, guava, apple, pear, tejocote, and piloncillo cane sugar ($10).

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821 Upshur St NW, Washington, D.C. 20011

Visit Website

Taqueria del Barrio DC bar

Red's Table

Red’s Table gives its hot toddy a Scottish makeover. The Hot Scotty includes Glenmorangie whiskey, orange chamomile simple syrup, clove, lemon, and hot water ($12).

11150 South Lakes Dr, Reston, VA 20191

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Red's Table VA cocktail

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Hazel

Hazel will transport snow bunnies to the mountains of Colorado with the "I Winter in Aspen" cocktail ($14). It’s got white hot chocolate, juniper, sesame, Vitae gin, and white cranberry.

808 V St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

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Hazel DC eggnog

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Nocturne

One of the specialty drinks in the tasting flights at Nocturne is called Run, Tina, Run; it’s made with spicebush and wild rice horchata ($35 per flight). There’s also a chilled coffee liqueur bomb for those who prefer cold cocktails.

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1932 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

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Nocturne DC drink

Tico

The Tico Toddy features mezcal, allspice dram, Earl Grey honey syrup, and lemon ($12).

1926 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

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Tico DC cocktails

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Bar Dupont

The Black Forest at Bar Dupont is a liquid version of the classic dessert ($13). The drink has bourbon, Godiva dark chocolate liqueur, simple syrup, apple juice, and pink grapefruit juice.

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1500 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

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Bar Dupont DC cocktails

Logan Tavern

The ‘c’ is silent in Logan Tavern’s (C)hai Tea that includes bourbon, chai, steamed milk, and citrus ($10.50). Get it during brunch.

1423 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

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Logan Tavern DC chai tea

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Buffalo & Bergen

Buffalo & Bergen gets creative with two hot cocktails. The Hot Day in January features gin, honey, lemongrass, cinnamon, and hot water served in a mug topped with a marshmallow snowman ($12). Foie The Halls is composed of Chartreuse, cognac, chocolate syrup, and steamed milk with a melting foie gras butterball dangling over the mug ($14).

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1309 5th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

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Buffalo & Bergen DC drink

Firefly

No need for an actual campfire when Firefly’s Campfire cocktail has chocolate, vodka, walnut liquor, Kahlua, allspice dram, and egg white. It’s served in a cedar rosemary-smoked glass and topped with torched coconut marshmallow ($16).

1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Visit Website

Firefly DC cocktail

Also featured in:

Blue Duck Tavern

Guests at Michelin-starred Blue Duck Tavern can indulge in the Blitzen hot toddy, featuring chai-infused aquavit, saffron water, yellow Chartreuse, Four Roses bourbon, black sesame honey, simple syrup, and lemon juice ($18).

1201 24th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

Visit Website

BDT DC cocktails

Also featured in:

Living Room at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown

Sit in the Living Room at the Ritz in Georgetown and sip the VDC hot toddy, made with Virginia Highland whiskey, orange rooibos honey syrup, and orange bitters ($17).

3100 South Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007

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Living Room DC hot toddy

Also featured in:

Equinox

Drink dessert at Equinox with the Spiked Sweet Potato Pie, featuring Irish cream, coffee, whipped cream, spiced sweet potato purée, and cinnamon ($16). There’s also a mulled pear cider that features red wine, brandy baking spices, pear cider, a cinnamon stick, and star anise ($15).

818 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

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Equinox DC sweet potato drink

Also featured in:

Momofuku CCDC

Try the punny Hot Cha-Tea at Momofuku, which is made in the style of a clarified milk punch, with tea, lemon, ginger, pisco, blackberry liqueur, zucca, and cocchi ($12).

1090 I St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

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Momofuku DC drink

Also featured in:

Stable

After hitting the slopes (or the sledding hill), retreat to Stable to try the apres ski menu. It includes drinks like Glühwein — a spiced red wine ($9) — and Stroh Jägertee featuring spiced rum, hot water, and a lemon ($9).

Open in Google Maps

1324 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Stable DC schoggi twist

Ambar (Multiple locations)

The Balkan Hot Toddy at Ambar is supposed to help relieve cold and flu symptoms ($11). It’s composed of Maraska, whiskey, hot water, brown sugar cubes, and lemon.

Open in Google Maps

2901 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

Visit Website

Ambar VA cocktail

G.O.A.T.

Clarendon’s new sports bar has a Salted Caramel Apple Sangria with caramel cinnamon apple syrup, sparkling apple cider, salted caramel vodka, and pinot grigio ($10).

Open in Google Maps

3028 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

Visit Website

GOAT VA bar

Salt Line

The hot cocktails at the Salt Line are served in thermoses and come with plaid blankets. Sit by the fire pits in the outdoor bar area, and drink a hot toddy with TSL Woodford Reserve, chicory, rainwater madeira, and lemon ($10), or a mulled cider with VSOP brandy, mulling spices, and organic apple cider ($11).

Open in Google Maps

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Visit Website

Salt Line DC bar

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Taqueria del Barrio

821 Upshur St NW, Washington, D.C. 20011

The Ponche Navideño is a hot Mexican punch typically served during the holidays. Taqueria del Barrio’s version features rum, guava, apple, pear, tejocote, and piloncillo cane sugar ($10).

Open in Google Maps

821 Upshur St NW, Washington, D.C. 20011

Visit Website

Taqueria del Barrio DC bar

Red's Table

11150 South Lakes Dr, Reston, VA 20191

Red’s Table gives its hot toddy a Scottish makeover. The Hot Scotty includes Glenmorangie whiskey, orange chamomile simple syrup, clove, lemon, and hot water ($12).

11150 South Lakes Dr, Reston, VA 20191

Visit Website

Red's Table VA cocktail

Hazel

808 V St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Hazel will transport snow bunnies to the mountains of Colorado with the "I Winter in Aspen" cocktail ($14). It’s got white hot chocolate, juniper, sesame, Vitae gin, and white cranberry.

808 V St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Hazel DC eggnog

Nocturne

1932 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

One of the specialty drinks in the tasting flights at Nocturne is called Run, Tina, Run; it’s made with spicebush and wild rice horchata ($35 per flight). There’s also a chilled coffee liqueur bomb for those who prefer cold cocktails.

Open in Google Maps

1932 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Nocturne DC drink

Tico

1926 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

The Tico Toddy features mezcal, allspice dram, Earl Grey honey syrup, and lemon ($12).

1926 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Tico DC cocktails

Bar Dupont

1500 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

The Black Forest at Bar Dupont is a liquid version of the classic dessert ($13). The drink has bourbon, Godiva dark chocolate liqueur, simple syrup, apple juice, and pink grapefruit juice.

Open in Google Maps

1500 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Visit Website

Bar Dupont DC cocktails

Logan Tavern

1423 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

The ‘c’ is silent in Logan Tavern’s (C)hai Tea that includes bourbon, chai, steamed milk, and citrus ($10.50). Get it during brunch.

1423 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

Visit Website

Logan Tavern DC chai tea

Buffalo & Bergen

1309 5th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Buffalo & Bergen gets creative with two hot cocktails. The Hot Day in January features gin, honey, lemongrass, cinnamon, and hot water served in a mug topped with a marshmallow snowman ($12). Foie The Halls is composed of Chartreuse, cognac, chocolate syrup, and steamed milk with a melting foie gras butterball dangling over the mug ($14).

Open in Google Maps

1309 5th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Buffalo & Bergen DC drink

Firefly

1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

No need for an actual campfire when Firefly’s Campfire cocktail has chocolate, vodka, walnut liquor, Kahlua, allspice dram, and egg white. It’s served in a cedar rosemary-smoked glass and topped with torched coconut marshmallow ($16).

1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Visit Website

Firefly DC cocktail

Blue Duck Tavern

1201 24th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

Guests at Michelin-starred Blue Duck Tavern can indulge in the Blitzen hot toddy, featuring chai-infused aquavit, saffron water, yellow Chartreuse, Four Roses bourbon, black sesame honey, simple syrup, and lemon juice ($18).

1201 24th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

Visit Website

BDT DC cocktails

Living Room at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown

3100 South Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007

Sit in the Living Room at the Ritz in Georgetown and sip the VDC hot toddy, made with Virginia Highland whiskey, orange rooibos honey syrup, and orange bitters ($17).

3100 South Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007

Visit Website

Living Room DC hot toddy

Equinox

818 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Drink dessert at Equinox with the Spiked Sweet Potato Pie, featuring Irish cream, coffee, whipped cream, spiced sweet potato purée, and cinnamon ($16). There’s also a mulled pear cider that features red wine, brandy baking spices, pear cider, a cinnamon stick, and star anise ($15).

818 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Visit Website

Equinox DC sweet potato drink

Momofuku CCDC

1090 I St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Try the punny Hot Cha-Tea at Momofuku, which is made in the style of a clarified milk punch, with tea, lemon, ginger, pisco, blackberry liqueur, zucca, and cocchi ($12).

1090 I St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Momofuku DC drink

Stable

1324 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

After hitting the slopes (or the sledding hill), retreat to Stable to try the apres ski menu. It includes drinks like Glühwein — a spiced red wine ($9) — and Stroh Jägertee featuring spiced rum, hot water, and a lemon ($9).

Open in Google Maps

1324 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Stable DC schoggi twist

Ambar (Multiple locations)

2901 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

The Balkan Hot Toddy at Ambar is supposed to help relieve cold and flu symptoms ($11). It’s composed of Maraska, whiskey, hot water, brown sugar cubes, and lemon.

Open in Google Maps

2901 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

Visit Website

Ambar VA cocktail

Related Maps

G.O.A.T.

3028 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

Clarendon’s new sports bar has a Salted Caramel Apple Sangria with caramel cinnamon apple syrup, sparkling apple cider, salted caramel vodka, and pinot grigio ($10).

Open in Google Maps

3028 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

Visit Website

GOAT VA bar

Salt Line

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

The hot cocktails at the Salt Line are served in thermoses and come with plaid blankets. Sit by the fire pits in the outdoor bar area, and drink a hot toddy with TSL Woodford Reserve, chicory, rainwater madeira, and lemon ($10), or a mulled cider with VSOP brandy, mulling spices, and organic apple cider ($11).

Open in Google Maps

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Visit Website

Salt Line DC bar

Related Maps