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A flaming drink at Stable.
A flaming drink at Stable.
Stable

17 Warming Cocktails to Drink Right Now

Seasonal tipples designed to fight winter's chill

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A flaming drink at Stable.
| Stable

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

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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).

Taqueria del Barrio DC bar The main bar at Taqueria del Barrio. Photo by Rey Lopez for Eater DC

Red's Table

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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).

Red's Table VA cocktail The Hot Scotty at Red’s Table. Photo: Red’s Table

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.

Hazel DC eggnog A seasonally inspired, eggnog cocktail at Hazel. Photo: Hazel

Nocturne

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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.

Nocturne DC drink The Run, Tina, Run drink at Nocturne. Photo: Nocturne

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

Tico DC cocktails Cocktails at Tico. Photo: Tico

Bar Dupont

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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.

Bar Dupont DC cocktails Cocktails at Bar Dupont. Photo: Bar Dupont

Logan Tavern

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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.

Logan Tavern DC chai tea The chai tea cocktail at Logan Tavern. Photo: Logan Tavern

Buffalo & Bergen

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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).

Buffalo & Bergen DC drink The buttery Foie the Halls drink at Buffalo & Bergen. Photo: Buffalo & Bergen

Firefly

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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).

Firefly DC cocktail The Campfire cocktail at Firefly. Photo by Julia Majors

Blue Duck Tavern

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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).

BDT DC cocktails Cocktails at Blue Duck Tavern. Photo by Alan V. / Yelp

Living Room at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown

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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).

Living Room DC hot toddy The VCD hot toddy at Living Room. Photo: Ritz-Carlton

Equinox

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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).

Equinox DC sweet potato drink A spiced sweet potato drink at Equinox. Photo by Sacha Cohen for Equinox

Momofuku CCDC

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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).

Momofuku DC drink A chai tea drink at Momofuku. Photo: Momofuku CCDC

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).

Stable DC schoggi twist The seasonal Schoggi Twist at Stable. Photo: Stable

Ambar (Multiple locations)

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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.

Ambar VA cocktail A hot toddy at Ambar. Photo: Ambar

G.O.A.T.

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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).

GOAT VA bar The main bar at G.O.A.T. Photo by Courtney C. / Yelp

Salt Line

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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).

Salt Line DC bar The main bar at Salt Line. Photo: Salt Line

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).

Taqueria del Barrio DC bar The main bar at Taqueria del Barrio. Photo by Rey Lopez for Eater DC

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).

Red's Table VA cocktail The Hot Scotty at Red’s Table. Photo: Red’s Table

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.

Hazel DC eggnog A seasonally inspired, eggnog cocktail at Hazel. Photo: Hazel

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.

Nocturne DC drink The Run, Tina, Run drink at Nocturne. Photo: Nocturne

Tico

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

Tico DC cocktails Cocktails at Tico. Photo: Tico

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.

Bar Dupont DC cocktails Cocktails at Bar Dupont. Photo: Bar Dupont

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.

Logan Tavern DC chai tea The chai tea cocktail at Logan Tavern. Photo: Logan Tavern

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).

Buffalo & Bergen DC drink The buttery Foie the Halls drink at Buffalo & Bergen. Photo: Buffalo & Bergen

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).

Firefly DC cocktail The Campfire cocktail at Firefly. Photo by Julia Majors

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).

BDT DC cocktails Cocktails at Blue Duck Tavern. Photo by Alan V. / Yelp

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).

Living Room DC hot toddy The VCD hot toddy at Living Room. Photo: Ritz-Carlton

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).

Equinox DC sweet potato drink A spiced sweet potato drink at Equinox. Photo by Sacha Cohen for Equinox

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).

Momofuku DC drink A chai tea drink at Momofuku. Photo: Momofuku CCDC

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).

Stable DC schoggi twist The seasonal Schoggi Twist at Stable. Photo: Stable

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.

Ambar VA cocktail A hot toddy at Ambar. Photo: Ambar

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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).

GOAT VA bar The main bar at G.O.A.T. Photo by Courtney C. / Yelp

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).

Salt Line DC bar The main bar at Salt Line. Photo: Salt Line

Related Maps