Winter Drinks

The Frugal Hostess loves classic cocktails.  She's been collecting cocktail shakers and other bar ware since before she was old enough to drink, and 1920s cocktail culture has always been a lure.

Now that she's older and wiser, FruHo no longer knocks back seven gin gimlets and a pack of Camel Lights on a Saturday night, but she can still appreciate a good cocktail every now and then.  Here are a few variations on familiar classics that TFH whipped up in honor of the (totally not going to happen) forecast of snow.

This drink is a take-off on the traditional Old-Fashioned, but calling a New Fashioned made The Frugal Hostess want to scream.  Bourbon and rum in one drink is kind of crazy, kind of cool, so the cocktail is called "Winter Cruise to Jamaica."

Winter Cruise to Jamaica

Ingredients:

1 oz bourbon
1 oz golden rum
.5 oz apple cider
2 teaspoons agave syrup
Dash bitters
Slice of apple for garnish

Directions:

1. Combine liquors, apple cider, agave syrup, and bitters in a shaker with two ice cubes.
2. Prepare glass by filling with crushed ice and situating apple slice.
3. Shake liquids to combine and pour over ice.
 

Next is a variation on the Brandy Crusta, which is one of The Frugal Hostess's favorite drinks of all time.  Because winter often brings crustiness with it, this one's called the "Brandy Crusta-Fighter."  So gross-sounding, but so delicious-tasting.

Brandy Crusta-Fighter

Ingredients:

1.5 oz brandy
.25 oz orange liqueur
.25 oz sweet vermouth
.25 oz lemon juice
Sugar for glass rim

Directions:

1. Combine brandy, orange liqueur, sweet vermouth, and lemon juice with crushed ice in shaker.
2. Prepare glass by running discarded lemon wedge around rim and dipping in sugar.
3. Shake and pour.
4. Variations:
-    Maraschino liqueur is typically used instead of vermouth. 
-    Applejack is a nice substitute for brandy.
-    Turbinado sugar makes a nicely textured rim.
-    A sprinkle of nutmeg makes this drink very wintery.

The final drink was prepared tonight to help keep FruHubs happy as he rides out the worst cold ever.  It was whipped up on the fly, so there's no picture, but it is called the "Please Stop Snoring Hot Toddy."  It will help FruHubs endure the relentless punching and kicking that TFH will be dishing out tonight while he snores sleeps.

Ingredients:

1 oz applejack
1 oz bourbon
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 lemon
3 oz boiling water
3-4 whole cloves
Ground nutmeg

Directions:

1. Cover the bottom of a mug with honey.
2. Add cloves and lemon juice.
3. Pour 2 oz. of water over honey and cloves.
4. Add liquor; stir, melting honey.
5. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Sweet dreams. Download the recipes here.  See other drinks from The Frugal Hostess here and here (and here, for summer).

A note on brands: FruHo highly recommends Bulleit Bourbon, Carpano Punt e Mes vermouth, and Appleton Golden Rum for these recipes.  These brands are unaware of her affection and have thus not sponsored this post.