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December 15, 2015

Five winter cocktails from around the globe

There's nothing like a hot beverage to warm your insides on a cold winter day. Especially when said beverage is of the alcoholic variety.

Egg nog is a popular cold-weather and holiday go-to, but why not expand your horizons?

Try one of these winter cocktails from around the globe. 

Coquito – Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican coquito (Matthew Mead/AP)

Coquito puts a Puerto Rican spin on traditional holiday egg nog. This tasty concoction is made with rum, coconut milk, sweet condensed milk, egg yolks, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

Local blogger Marissa Williams shares a recipe for coquito on her site, Marissa Says. Or, if you'd rather have someone else do the mixing (so you can focus on the drinking, of course), check out a local spot like Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar.

Hot/Mulled Wine – Europe

Hot wine (loooby/iStock.com)

Mulled wine is popular throughout Europe and the United Kingdom. The drink is traditionally made with a red wine, combined with various other spices. Different variations of the warm beverage can be found from country to country. Glühwein is a common Christmas drink in Germany and Austria. Glögg is the term used for mulled wine in the Nordic countries. Try some spiced mulled wine at Penns Woods Winery in Chadds Ford.

Mexican Hot Chocolate – Mexico

Mexican hot chocolate (Yulia_Davidovich/iStock.com)

Mexican hot chocolate gives a spicy flair to the beloved winter beverage. The Mexican spicy hot chocolate at Max Brenner on Walnut Street packs some heat from the addition of cinnamon, nutmeg, red chili and pepper. On her blog PhicklePhilly food blogger Amanda Feifer shares a recipe for one of her favorite winter ferments, Mexican Hot Chocolate Kombucha. 

Hot Toddy – United Kingdom

Hot toddy (Matthew Mead/AP)

A hot toddy, also known as hot totty and hot tottie, as well as hot whisky in Scotland, is a warm mixed drink made with liquor, water, honey and other herbs and spices. It's also a common cold remedy (for adults, of course). The spirit of choice is usually whisky, rum or brandy. Check out these hot toddy cocktails, or visit one of these Philly spots to indulge in the beverage.

Irish Coffee – Ireland

Irish coffee (bhofack2/iStock.com)

Hmm, regular coffee or coffee with a splash of Irish whiskey? Decisions, decisions. This original Irish coffee recipe from the Food Network combines freshly brewed hot coffee with brown sugar, Irish whiskey and heavy cream. Check out any one of these Irish restaurants in Philly for your next spiked coffee.

Do you have a favorite winter drink? Tell us in the comments.

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