With the chill of winter comes a unified call around the Midwest to place coziness at the forefront of our lives. And as the weather outside becomes frightful, the lure of snuggling up to a warm drink becomes almost unavoidable.
To mark the advent of winter cocktail season, we sampled some steamy beverages from local drinking establishments and hangouts to give you tips on what to tipple.
Bad Santa
Miracle at the Overlook Lodge
The Shining-themed Overlook Lodge has an entire menu and pop-up bar — Miracle at the Overlook Lodge — dedicated to the holiday season (cocktails are $11; naughty and nice shots are $5). The choices range from Jingle Ball Nog (cognac, amontillado sherry, peanut butter, almond milk, nougat syrup) to How the Gimlet Stole Christmas (gin, pine-carawy-sage cordial) to You’ll Shoot Your Rye Out (pumpkin-spiced rye, Budweiser-marshmallow syrup, egg).
The windows of the faux lodge are frosted. Inside, colored lights dangle from the ceiling as Scrooged plays in the background. Hatchets, crossed with evergreen tree branches, are a reminder that this is Jack Torrance’s domain, despite the santa-hat-covered chairs and red-and-green plaid tablecloths.
I opted for Bad Santa: mulled red wine (tawny port) blended with orange liqueur, spices and golden raisins. The texture was thick and sweet; the spices were rich and homey. It felt like a remedy conjured up for cold nights in a cabin up north. Its Santa-shaped mug (in which ol’ St. Nick was winking) added an extra layer to an already decked out atmosphere.
As the bartenders debated which Christmas movie to play next, the hazy, classic style of the bar (even decorated for holiday cheer) made it easy to slip into another universe. 6803 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, thatshiningbar.com.
Irish Coffee
1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab
1215’s Irish Coffee ($9) is more glamorous than its origins suggest. It comes topped with soft (not overly sweet) homemade whipped cream and is served in a glass; the union between espresso and Jameson whiskey is smooth yet bitter, a pleasing contradiction.
For the holidays, the bar offers the option of adding a peppermint shot, which I eschewed. For me, at least, the simple cocktail was as classic as a stocking dangling above a chimney.
As I took my last sips of the cocktail, the Dubliners’ “Whiskey in the Jar” played over the speakers. The soft chatter at the bar, clinking mugs and the sound of fingers clicking away at laptop keyboards felt like a perfect goodbye — the last moments of a family party as dad slides into La-Z-Boy recliner. 1215 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 1215vine.com.
Cocoa Mint
Highland Coffee House
At Highland Coffee House, every wall is cluttered with framed iconography. Ethereal plants wind and twist in the corners creating an almost mystical ambiance. Slouchy couches and dim lighting fuse with Jazz. The menus are faded, the yellow-green paint textured and the smell of old, secret books feels like home …or a Neil Gaiman novel.
I chose a Cocoa Mint cocktail ($5), made with Rumple Minze peppermint schnapps and topped with whipped cream that melted soon after it arrived at my table. The rest of the bar’s drink selection is unassuming — several other warming alcoholic beverages are available, including Hut Rum Cider and Keoke Coffee.
The taste of rum was strong, with the mint adding an extra bite to its flavor. The notes of chocolate were an undercurrent: an adult hot chocolate. As I sat tucked away in a corner watching cars pass by outside, I was thoroughly warmed by the sugary, milky cocktail — a taste that was nostalgic and familiar, like it was made with love. 2839 Highland Ave., Corryville, searchable on Facebook.
Other warm cocktails
Hot Buttered Rum – The Blind Lemon: As its name suggests, this classic is made with a base of Barcardi dark rum. Melted butter and brown sugar act as the rum’s counterpart. Spices add an extra layer of warmth.
Dr. Finkelstein – Video Archive: Overlook Lodge’s sister bar, Video Archive in Walnut Hills, has a pop-up bar of its own: Yuletide Nightmare, with a Nightmare Before Christmas theme. Try out Dr. Finkelstein, a warm mug of hot Earl Grey tea with a twist of winter-spiced shochu.
The Dead of Winter – The Rook OTR: For $6, curl up with a board game and a blend of Gosling’s dark rum, Captain Morgan’s spiced rum and hot apple cider.
KY Coffee – The Littlefield: Admire the twinkling lights on the Littlefield’s patio with a bourbon spin (Evan Williams, specifically) on the caffeinated drink. Topped with whipped cream and swirled in carmel, it’ll warm both the body and soul.
This article appears in Nov 29 – Dec 6, 2017.
