As the gray skies settle over the Pacific Northwest and the chill of winter seeps into our bones, the instinct to hibernate takes over. But winter isn't just about escaping the cold; it’s about embracing the warmth found indoors. It’s the season of crackling fireplaces, wool blankets, and the unmistakable comfort of a hot mug in your hands. While a cup of tea or cocoa is lovely, the art of home entertaining calls for something with a bit more… spirit.
Few things feel as comforting as a hot toddy or warm cocktail on a cold evening, especially when built with thoughtfully crafted spirits. Below, we explore a collection of hot toddies and warm winter cocktails featuring New Deal spirits, with notes on ideal occasions to imbibe and food pairings to help you turn any chilly night into a cozy gathering. From classic hot toddies to spiced pear variations, coffee-forward classics, and indulgent hot chocolate, these recipes are designed for real life—easy to make, deeply satisfying, and perfect for sharing.
Hot Toddies: Classics & Reimaginations
As the days grow shorter and the nights get cooler, there’s nothing quite like a well-crafted cocktail to warm you from the inside out. From classic comforts to modern creations, these cold-weather-inspired libations capture the essence of Oregon’s winter, balancing orchard fruit, spice, and warmth in every sip. Here’s how to pour the season into your glass.
Classic Hot Toddy
Sometimes, tradition reigns supreme. Simple, elegant, and endlessly adaptable, the Classic Hot Toddy is the backbone of winter drinking. This recipe strips back the bells and whistles to focus on the spirit's purity. Whether you choose the fruit-forward warmth of our Distiller's Workshop Oregon Brandy or the caramel-vanilla notes of our Distiller's Reserve Bourbon, this cocktail is crystal clear and amber-hued, garnished elegantly with star anise and clove. Releasing soft aromas of citrus peel and warming spice, the flavor is gently sweet, lightly acidic, and soothing, with the spirit providing warmth without overpowering.
Gather & Imbibe
- The definitive nightcap, best enjoyed in a leather armchair by a fire, or while winding down after a long day in the cold—post-snow shoveling, post-winter walk, or when you’re feeling under the weather and want something gentle but restorative.
Perfect Pairings
- SWEET: Lemon bars or classic Scottish shortbread
- SAVORY: Charcuterie board with aged cheddar and honeycomb, or chicken soup and roasted root veggies
- SERVING A CROWD? Try this!
Ginger Hot Toddy
This isn't your average lemon-and-honey cure-all. The base of Distiller's Workshop Oregon Brandy, along with our Ginger Liqueur, acts as a force multiplier for the warming sensation. On the palate, the brandy provides a smooth, vinous backbone, while the ginger liqueur delivers a zesty, spicy kick that tingles the throat in the most pleasant way. The heat builds slowly on the palate—warming rather than fiery—making it a wonderful pick-me-up without being heavy. It’s sharp, sweet, and profoundly soothing. Let this golden, glowing elixir bring a little spark to your winter evenings.
Gather & Imbibe
- The ultimate sick-day luxury or the perfect companion for a solo night in with a dense novel. It’s also a fantastic welcome drink for guests coming in from a storm, instantly thawing them out.
Perfect Pairings
- SWEET: Chewy molasses cookies or a slice of gingerbread loaf to mirror the spice of Ginger Liqueur.
- SAVORY: Dumplings, sesame noodles, and roasted squash
Pear Hot Toddy
If you want to capture the essence of an orchard in winter, this is the drink. Soft, fragrant, and quietly elegant, the Pear Hot Toddy feels like winter fruit at its best. The Pear Brandy is aromatic and floral, smelling of ripe fruit skins, while the Ginger Liqueur adds the necessary heat. The taste is delicate yet complex; the honey draws out the pear's natural sweetness, making it feel lighter and more fragrant than a whiskey toddy. Visually, it’s pale gold and inviting, with aromas that recall baked pears and honey. Sophisticated and light, this is the perfect toddy for people who find whiskey overpowering.
Gather & Imbibe
- An elegant choice for an afternoon tea party that transitions into cocktail hour, a dinner party celebrating Capricorn birthdays, book club night, or any occasion for relaxed entertaining
Perfect Pairings
- SWEET: A pear galette, almond tart or vanilla bean scones
- SAVORY: Baked brie with apricot jam and crackers. The warm cheese and fruit brandy are a match made in heaven.
Spiced Pear Hot Toddy
This reimagined toddy takes the concept of the Pear Toddy and wraps it in a heavy wool sweater. The Spiced Pear Liqueur is already imbued with notes of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, meaning the labor of spicing is done for you. The result is a darker, richer drink that feels festive and indulgent, and smells like a baking pie. It is sweet, luscious, and intensely aromatic. For those who want an extra kick, you can easily split the Spiced Pear Liqueur with Distiller's Workshop Brandy or Distiller's Workshop Bourbon.
Gather & Imbibe
- A sophisticated aprés ski tipple that will warm your bones after a frigid day on the slopes, or the perfect winter sipper for a snow day spent relaxing at home.
Perfect Pairings
- SWEET: Pumpkin bread, honey-roasted nuts, or spice cake with cream cheese frosting
- SAVORY: Pork loin with Pear Mostarda di Frutta and roasted carrots
Orchard Harvest Warmers
Transitioning from the sharp heat of the toddy, these drinks embrace the bounty of the harvest—apples, cider, and complex bitters.
Mulled Apple Cider
Simmering and perfumed with spices, Mulled Apple Cider is winter hospitality in a mug. It's also infinitely adaptable: choose your favorite from our lineup of craft brandies—apple, pear, or wine-based—or mix & match to suit your palate. The taste is a symphony of autumn: tart apples, brown sugar, and woody cinnamon. Adding the brandy cuts the sugary sweetness of the cider, adding a dry, spirited finish that prevents it from being cloying. Mulled cider is approachable and crowd-friendly, like winter hospitality in a mug!
Gather & Imbibe
- The ultimate batch cocktail for large gatherings. Whether it’s an open house, family gatherings, or a beach bonfire on the Oregon Coast, a crockpot of this cider invites guests to serve themselves.
Perfect Pairings
- SWEET: Hot apple cider donuts, poached pears, apple crisp
- SAVORY: Pork chops with applesauce or a hearty sausage casserole
Harvest Moon
This is a cocktail for the aficionado. Earthy, spiced, and deeply warming, Harvest Moon leans into autumn & winter flavors—think baked fruit, spice cabinets, and orchard evenings. It moves away from pure sweetness into a more complex, sophisticated territory. The Distiller's Reserve Rye Whiskey offers a spicy grain character, while the Cascadia American Bitter Liqueur adds herbal, piney, and floral notes native to the Pacific Northwest. The taste is bittersweet, herbal, and warming, with layered aromas and a long, complex finish.
Gather & Imbibe
- A rainy day contemplation drink. It fits perfectly with a gray Portland afternoon where the rain lashes against the window. It is serious and reflective.
Perfect Pairings
- SWEET: Dark chocolate with sea salt or pecan pie
- SAVORY: A ploughman's lunch with sharp cheddar, pickles, and crusty bread.
The Coffee House at Home
Coffee cocktails are often relegated to dessert, but our award-winning Coffee Liqueur and lineup of craft spirits prove they can be the main event.
Spanish Coffee
There’s nothing quite like a Spanish Coffee from Huber’s in downtown Portland. While the city’s oldest restaurant didn’t officially invent the drink, they certainly popularized it. Inspired by the tableside theatrics of Portland’s Huber’s Cafe, this home version retains all the flavor without the fire hazard. It is a decadent, layered masterpiece: black coffee, rich liqueurs, and a cloud of cool whipped cream dusted with cinnamon. The temperature contrast—hot coffee meeting cold cream—is part of the joy. The taste is a blend of caramelized sugar, baking spices from the rum, and deep roasted coffee notes.
Gather & Imbibe
- The showstopper dessert replacement. After a dinner party, instead of cake, serve this. It provides caffeine to combat the food coma and sweetness to satisfy the sugar craving.
Perfect Pairings
- SWEET: Churros dusted in cinnamon sugar or a classic crème caramel
- SAVORY: Coffee-braised pot roast, Parmesan polenta, roasted Brussels sprouts
New Deal Irish Coffee
Creamy, dark, and luxuriously balanced, the Irish Coffee is a winter classic for a reason. Our refined take on the pub classic uses our Coffee Liqueur in both the base and the whipped cream, significantly amplifying the coffee flavor. The taste is robust; the whiskey delivers a grainy warmth that stands up to the strong coffee, while the double dose of liqueur creates a velvety texture. The contrast between hot coffee, warming spirit, and softly whipped cream creates layers of texture and flavor. Visually striking, it’s both comforting and celebratory.
Gather & Imbibe
- Dessert hour, late-night conversations; alternatively, brunch finales. It pairs beautifully with slow mornings and hearty breakfasts.
Perfect Pairings
- SWEET: Chocolate cake, tiramisu, scones, biscotti
- SAVORY: A Full Irish Breakfast (sausages, beans, eggs, toast) or Eggs Benedict
Comfy Coffee
This cocktail is "Portland-approved" for a reason. It bridges the gap between a coffee cocktail and a hot chocolate hybrid. The Triple Sec adds a surprisingly bright citrus note that lifts the heavier rum and coffee flavors. As the name suggests, this is a softer, cozier coffee cocktail—less theatrical, more snuggly. It’s smooth, gently sweet, and easy to sip. The pièce de résistance is the Mud Puddle Whipped Cream, infused with our Mud Puddle Bitter Chocolate Vodka, adding a mocha finish to every sip.
Gather & Imbibe
- Mid-morning pick-me-up on a snow day, slow Sunday morning sipper, or an après-ski drink after coming in from the cold.
Perfect Pairings
- SWEET: Coffee cake, banana bread, oatmeal cookies
- SAVORY: Waffles, scrambled eggs, and candied bacon strips
Decadent Indulgences
Sometimes, you just want a liquid dessert. These final entries are rich, sweet, and unapologetically luxurious.
Spiked Hot Chocolate
Thick, creamy, and deeply chocolatey, Spiked Hot Chocolate is winter indulgence at its finest. The spirit adds warmth and depth without overshadowing the cocoa, creating a drink that feels nostalgic and grown-up all at once. And with our varied lineup of craft spirits and locally-owned Treehouse Originals small-batch drinking chocolates, this recipe can become a choose-your-own-adventure in comfort. Add Spiced Rum for a taste like Mexican hot chocolate: spicy, warming, and exotic. Add Coffee Liqueur to create a mocha, further deepening the chocolate flavor. Add Mud Puddle for pure, unadulterated chocolate intensity.
Gather & Imbibe
- Spiked Hot chocolate brings out the inner child, but with an adult upgrade. Enjoy at movie nights, book club meetups, or after winter hikes.
Perfect Pairings
- SWEET: peppermint bark, chocolate-dipped marshmallows, almond biscotti
- SAVORY: Salted pretzels, buttered popcorn, Chex Mix, Gouda & crackers
Mulled Wine
Mulled wine is the scent of European winter markets. Deep crimson and fragrant with citrus and spice, Mulled Wine transforms cold nights into communal moments. This recipe elevates the standard wine-and-spice mix by fortifying it with our Distiller's Workshop Brandy and Ginger Liqueur. The brandy adds body and proof, while the ginger liqueur adds a contemporary zing. The resulting blend offers extra warmth and layered complexity, with flavors that are simultaneously tannic, sweet, tart, and deeply spicy. A big pot of Mulled Wine warming on the stove makes any house feel lived-in and festive.
Gather & Imbibe
- A house party staple, it's perfect for large gatherings and cold-weather outdoor entertaining.
Perfect Pairings
- SWEET: Ginger Molasses Cookies, classic fruitcake, Gingerbread Snack Cake
- SAVORY: Hearty beef stew, roasted sausages, blue cheeses like Stilton or Roquefort
The Art of the Warm Up
By now, you've realized that the world of hot cocktails extends far beyond a splash of whiskey in tea. By utilizing a spectrum of craft spirits—from the herbal complexity of our Cascadia Liqueur to the rich decadence of Mud Puddle Bitter Chocolate Vodka—there's a recipe for every winter mood. Whether you are seeking the medicinal comfort of a Ginger Hot Toddy, the sophisticated reflection of a Harvest Moon, or the communal joy of Mulled Wine, these recipes offer a way to slow down and savor the season. So, stock your bar cart, put the kettle on, and invite the warmth in. Cheers to a spirited winter!