Snowed in with the wintertime blues?
Make snow day drinks!
That big pot of soup on the stove will warm hearts in the household but mama needs a cocktail, too!
While the bundled-up kiddos are out making snow angels and sledding down Indian Mounds, keep calm and cozy with one of these classic Snow Day Drinks.
Adult bourbon milkshake, anyone?
- 1Frozen Bourbon Milk Punch
Don’t forget frozen drinks with below-freezing temps outside. There’s something magical about the unusual seasonal pairing. For a blender cocktail with some serious Bourbon Street cred (an ode to this dessert drink), grab the vanilla ice cream and make Frozen Bourbon Milk Punch, inspired by Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House. Buzz outside to check on the snow bunnies, but be sure to hide any leftovers in the freezer; it’s boozy!
- 2Mulled Wine
At first frost, this warm toddy always has our hearts and takes us back to a snowy day in NYC every time. With bottles of wine on hand and a few pantry spices, you’ll be sipping Mulled Wine inspired by the beloved (but now-defunct) gastro pub, The Spotted Pig, in no time. This one is best cradled around the fireplace, of course.
Mulled Wine
Adapted from the recipe by April Bloomfield served at The Spotted Pig.
Ingredients
- 2 bottles Pinot Noir or other fruity wine
- 1 orange, sliced into wheels
- 1/2 lemon, sliced into wheels
- 2 cinnamon sticks, broken into big pieces
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon whole allspice berries
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup sugar or raw honey
- 1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 ounces Cognac*
Instructions
Combine all ingredients except the Cognac and vanilla in a large Dutch oven.
Bring to a low simmer, stirring until the sweetener dissolves and incorporates.
Remove from heat; add Cognac and stir in vanilla.
Serve warm ladled into mugs or punch cups.
Garnish with orange wheels.
Serves 6 to 8
*Sub with Grand Marnier for a Cognac-based liqueur or Licor 43, a Spanish liqueur with vanilla and citrus notes.
Pro tip: Double recipe for larger gatherings and if it hasn’t disappeared, funnel portions of the batch back into wine bottles and cork. Send guests home with a bottle or chill for the next day.
- 3Bloody Marys
Bloody Marys are not just for brunch, it’s the daytime crisis mode go-to cocktail for a reason. Get your garnish on and set out a big Bloody Mary Bar spread. It will make playing backgammon or running backroads in a side by side a helluva lot more fun.
Bloody Marys
When you need a good go-to base to pre-mix for a party, tailgate or family brunch, this bloody never disappoints!
Ingredients
- 2 (32-ounce) bottles Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix
- 1 fifth vodka of choice
- 1 cup olive juice
- 1/2 cup (4 ounces) Worcestershire sauce
- 4 tablespoons prepared horseradish sauce
- 6 to 8 dashes Tabasco sauce
- Juice of 2 lemons
Instructions
Combine all in a glass container and stir will to combine. Cover and chill.
Serve over ice and garnish.
Makes about 16 drinks
- 4 Espresso Martinis
Shaking cocktails while snowed-in is an activity all its own—and coffee cocktails make perfect Snow Day Drinks! It’s no surprise that the Espresso Martini makes any cocktail list at Milk Punch Media cause it’s a pick-me-up that always feels a little luxe yet super simple.
Espresso Martini
The modern classic vodka “martini” shaken with espresso is every coffee-lover’s favorite cocktail. Shake well to achieve foam!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces Vodka
- 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua
- 1 1/2 ounces espresso coffee or cold brew concentrate
- Coffee beans for garnish
Instructions
Shake all ingredients well with ice and strain into a martini glass.
Garnish with three coffee beans.
- 5Sangria
Assuming you’re well stocked with bottles of wine for the Snow Apocalypse, right? Then make sangria! Best made a day ahead so tomorrow’s cocktail will be chilled and pitcher perfect. Substitute the rosé with any dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc—and if the club soda has run dry, top sangria with Prosecco or brut Champagne. Cheers!
Rosé Sangria
Peach and raspberry flavors meet rosé in a sangria that’s a little boozy and easy-peezy. The longer the fruit soaks, the sweeter the sangria!
Ingredients
- 2 bottles rosé wine
- 1 cup Peach and Orange Blossom Botanicals Vodka
- 1 1/2 cups peach brandy
- 12 ounces raspberries
- 2 oranges, sliced
- Sparkling water to top
- Fruit for garnish such as blueberries, strawberries and oranges
Instructions
In a large pitcher, combine vodka, peach brandy and fruit. Allow fruit to soak overnight.
Add rosé wine and chill at least a few hours or preferably overnight.
Serve in wine glasses over ice topped with a little sparkling water.
Garnish with ample fruit.
written by
Melissa Townsend
Founder and fearless leader of the Milk Punch Media pack, Melissa makes a mean espresso martini. She’s also silently correcting your grammar.