clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Iron Gate
Iron Gate
R. Lopez

Beyond Cider: Warm Up With One of These Hot Cocktails

Hot pumpkin chai cocktails, gluhwein and more.

View as Map
Iron Gate
| R. Lopez

Winter has officially arrived, and that means plenty of opportunities to step out of the cold and into the bar. And this time of year, the only thing better than a stiff drink is a hot drink.

Whether it's a swanky steak house or a neighborhood dive, it won't be hard to find a warm cocktail on a chilly night. Even better, many bars and restaurants are branching off from standards like spiked hot chocolate and cider and creating new twists on winter warmer cocktails.

This year's recipes feature everything from whiskey to sherry and include variations on mulled wine and hot toddies, and chai drinks. Here's a look at a dozen unique hot cocktails around D.C. to try this season.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Bar Dupont

Copy Link

Forget Starbucks and head here for the creamy and spiced hot pumpkin chai cocktail.

Belga Cafe

Copy Link

Head to Barracks Row for a glass of traditional mulled wine, or "gluhwijn," as its called here. The mix of wine, liqueurs and spices will certainly help take winter's bite away.

Bibiana Osteria & Enoteca

Copy Link

Bibiana is celebrating the 12 days of Christmas with 25 special cocktails, with several warming options. Go for the hot and cold gin fizz – topped with warm gin foam. There's also mulled wine and hot buttered rum.

Bourbon Steak Washington DC

Copy Link

Thaw out with a mug of hot buttered rum or the "...& everything nice" - a spice-heavy cocktail of rum, allspice dram, ginger and cloves.

Copperwood Tavern

Copy Link

The brandy warmer, one of three hot cocktails on the winter menu, is made with Applejack, a wine reduction and nutmeg.

Fiola da Fabio Trabocchi

Copy Link

Diners can finish off their meal with a l'alpino, a hot blend of red wine, brandy, coffee and cinnamon. Another option is the good company, which has black strap rum, coffee and whipped cream.

Iron Gate

Copy Link

Snag a seat by the fire and order up a bourbon diversion, which pairs the spirit with creme de cacao, Fernet and absinthe.

Mandu's hot stuff cocktail is a sort of hybrid between a hot toddy and a chai. It's made with dark rum, grand marnier, pear almond milk and and spiced tea.

Mockingbird Hill

Copy Link

Head to Shaw to try bittersweet black flag toddy, an unusual combination of brandy, PX sherry (of course), bitter lemon soda and hot coffee.

Poste Moderne Brasserie

Copy Link

The winter lounge at Poste features the tequila-based holey moley, a spicy marriage of tequila and chili-cinnamon hot chocolate. Another choice is the maple bourbon toddy, made with bourbon, black tea, maple syrup and cedar bitters.

Room 11

Copy Link

Cozy up by one of the outdoor fire pits with a mug of glogg, a Scandinavian-style mulled wine. This recipe is spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and orange.

It's hard to beat this Adams Morgan cafe when it comes to hot, boozy drinks. Go for the honey bourbon chai or try one of the three hot toddy variations.

Bar Dupont

Forget Starbucks and head here for the creamy and spiced hot pumpkin chai cocktail.

Belga Cafe

Head to Barracks Row for a glass of traditional mulled wine, or "gluhwijn," as its called here. The mix of wine, liqueurs and spices will certainly help take winter's bite away.

Bibiana Osteria & Enoteca

Bibiana is celebrating the 12 days of Christmas with 25 special cocktails, with several warming options. Go for the hot and cold gin fizz – topped with warm gin foam. There's also mulled wine and hot buttered rum.

Bourbon Steak Washington DC

Thaw out with a mug of hot buttered rum or the "...& everything nice" - a spice-heavy cocktail of rum, allspice dram, ginger and cloves.

Copperwood Tavern

The brandy warmer, one of three hot cocktails on the winter menu, is made with Applejack, a wine reduction and nutmeg.

Fiola da Fabio Trabocchi

Diners can finish off their meal with a l'alpino, a hot blend of red wine, brandy, coffee and cinnamon. Another option is the good company, which has black strap rum, coffee and whipped cream.

Iron Gate

Snag a seat by the fire and order up a bourbon diversion, which pairs the spirit with creme de cacao, Fernet and absinthe.

Mandu

Mandu's hot stuff cocktail is a sort of hybrid between a hot toddy and a chai. It's made with dark rum, grand marnier, pear almond milk and and spiced tea.

Mockingbird Hill

Head to Shaw to try bittersweet black flag toddy, an unusual combination of brandy, PX sherry (of course), bitter lemon soda and hot coffee.

Poste Moderne Brasserie

The winter lounge at Poste features the tequila-based holey moley, a spicy marriage of tequila and chili-cinnamon hot chocolate. Another choice is the maple bourbon toddy, made with bourbon, black tea, maple syrup and cedar bitters.

Room 11

Cozy up by one of the outdoor fire pits with a mug of glogg, a Scandinavian-style mulled wine. This recipe is spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and orange.

Tryst

It's hard to beat this Adams Morgan cafe when it comes to hot, boozy drinks. Go for the honey bourbon chai or try one of the three hot toddy variations.

Related Maps