Restaurants

Hot Toddys. Glöggs. Spiked hot chocolate. These are the drinks keeping us warm this winter.

The next time you're taking refuge from the cold in a bar, consider these festive cocktails.

World's End Toddy at Eastern Standard Eastern Standard

November 21, 2019

Goodbye, blended margaritas. See you next summer, frozen daiquiris.

The days of ice-cold drinks are behind us, making room for a slew of warm, boozy beverages that promise to keep us cozy — at least for a little while — throughout the winter. From mulled red wine and hot buttered rum to traditional Irish coffee, here are the cocktails keeping the Boston bar scene on fire this season.

What do you love to drink in the colder months? Let us know in the comments!

Mexican Mocha at The Backroom at Moody’s

Mexican Mocha at The Backroom at Moody’s.

Following a thorough revamp, the Backroom at Moody’s in Waltham reopened over the summer with an expanded menu and an updated interior — and now, the restaurant and bar is offering its take on an adult hot chocolate during the colder months. Sip on the Mexican Mocha, a tequila-based cocktail featuring coffee liqueur, espresso, hot milk, and chocolate. (468 Moody St., Waltham)

Glögg at Balani

Glögg at Balani.

A play on traditional Swedish glögg, Balani’s version uses a medley of red wine, rye, dried ginger, cinnamon, star anise, orange bitters, and walnut to create a belly-warming seasonal drink. (469 Moody St., Waltham)

Chocolate hot buttered rum at Bistro du Midi

Chocolate hot buttered rum at Bistro du Midi.

Overlooking the Boston Public Garden, Bistro du Midi makes its own version of this wintry cocktail with Sailor Jerry spiced rum, house-made chocolate hot buttered rum, cinnamon, fresh whipped cream, and nutmeg. (272 Boylston St., Boston)

Hot toddy at Black Lamb

Hot toddy at Black Lamb.

If you’re anywhere near the Black Lamb, one of the South End’s newest neighborhood hangouts, you’d be wise to stop in for the bar’s take on a hot toddy. The cocktail highlights Bank Note scotch, Laird’s Applejack brandy, honey, ginger syrup, and a lemon wheel with a clove. It’s served in the restaurant’s signature coffee mug. (571 Tremont St., Boston)

Bully Today, Drink Amaro at Bully Boy Distillers

Bully Today, Drink Amaro at Bully Boy Distillers.

Head to the Roxbury distillery’s tasting room to cozy up with a Bully Today, Drink Amaro, a cheekily-named cocktail made with Bully Boy Amaro, black tea, fig, cinnamon, and orange. (44 Cedric St., Boston)

World’s End Toddy at Eastern Standard

You’ll find world-class cocktails at Eastern Standard year-round, but this winter, the Kenmore Square bar’s warm drinks are on point, including the World’s End Toddy: Graham’s Six Grapes Ruby Port, Laphroaig 10-year whiskey, demerara syrup, lemon juice, and Angostura bitters. (528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston)

The Figgy Stardust at The Emory

The Figgy Stardust at The Emory.

“I love a good classic hot toddy, but I also love rum, so why not do both in one cup?” Melissa Benson, bar director at The Emory, said about The Figgy Stardust. This creative mashup uses Flor de Caña rum, Black Fig vodka, demerara, and lemon. (21 Beacon St., Boston)

Hot toddy at Il Molo

Hot toddy at Il Molo.

This seafood-focused restaurant in the North End serves a classic hot toddy — rye whiskey, honey, lemon juice — that makes for a perfect post-stroll treat after wandering around the neighborhood’s cobblestone streets. (326 Commercial St., Boston)

Spiked hot chocolate at Met Back Bay

Hot chocolate flight at Met Back Bay.

Met Back Bay’s hot chocolate experience returns on Nov. 29 with a flight of four variations: regular, toasted coconut, pumpkin dolce, and peppermint. Want to make it boozy? Adults have the option to add Bailey’s, Galliano Ristretto coffee liqueur, caramel vodka, and peppermint liquor to their hot cocoa concoctions. (279 Dartmouth St., Boston)

Bad Santa at Miracle pop-up bars

Bad Santa

Miracle, a global holiday pop-up concept, will return to three local bars this year: Kimpton Marlowe in Cambridge on Nov. 29, Mystic Station in Malden on Nov. 29, and Still & Stir in Worcester on Nov. 25. Featured on the shared menu is the Bad Santa, a cocktail comprised of rum, black chai tea, date-infused oat milk, and vanilla syrup, served piping hot in a winking Santa mug. (Various locations)

Warm chi-der punch at Pammy’s

Warm Chi-der Punch at Pammy’s.

There’s something about visiting this Cambridge neighborhood destination that feels like you’re having (a very good) dinner at a friend’s house. You know that cup of tea your friend might have offered post-dinner? This season, it’s the warm chi-der punch, a soothing cocktail made with Old Tom gin, hot apple cider, herb and chai syrup, and lemon oil. (928 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge)

Peppermint Patty at Precinct Kitchen + Bar

As a tribute to “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Precinct Kitchen + Bar will debut the Peppermint Patty on Dec. 1, a festive cocktail (Christmas lights not included) made with Brancamenta, almond milk, and hot chocolate, and topped with pieces of candy cane. Bonus: Order one of these and you’ll receive a complimentary kids cocoa (alcohol-free, of course). (154 Berkeley St., Boston)

Comet’s Campfire S’mores at Rebel’s Guild

Comet’s Campfire S’mores at Rebel’s Guild.

The best thing? Making s’mores by a campfire. The next best thing? Keeping warm with this marshmallow-topped drink from Rebel’s Guild, made with Grey Goose vanilla vodka and house-made hot chocolate. (200 Stuart St., Boston)

Rage of Paris at Scampo

Rage of Paris at Scampo.

Lydia Shire’s Italian hot spot within The Liberty Hotel is getting into the warm cocktail game with the Rage of Paris, a nod to the 1938 film starring Danielle Darrieux and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Poured into a snifter glass, the concoction features hot Earl Grey, cognac, and Cointreau, and it’s finished with a rock brown sugar stick perched on top. (215 Charles St., Boston)

Irish coffee at Ward 8

Irish coffee at Ward 8.

Ward 8 has an entire section on its menu dedicated to warm cocktails, so it’s no surprise that the West End restaurant and bar is committed to perfecting the classic Irish coffee. A blend of Irish whiskey, brown sugar, and coffee is topped off with whipped, unsweetened cream made to order. (90 N. Washington St., Boston)