The cold winds of winter are here to stay for a while, but so is the fun! My sister is coming in from sunny Texas so that my nephews can experience the same wintery excitement we did as kids. Snow angels, ice skating and snow ball fights are in the forecast, and so are hot chocolates with mounds of homemade whipped cream and broiled marshmallows! For the adults, we will have something with a bit of a kick to warm their chilled Texan bodies.

I’ve stuck to the classics here, also recommending my favorite spirits:

Simple to make with everyday ingredients, Hot Toddies are the perfect pairing for a cold or sappy Rom/Com.

Traditional hot toddy winter drink with spices recipe. Healthy organic homemade holiday celebration beverage in glass. Vintage wooden background. Rustic style.

• 8 oz. Boiling water
• 1 TBSP Good-quality honey or Demerara sugar (Brown or raw sugar works, too. Use whatever is handy)
• 1 ½ oz. Jameson Irish Whiskey or Bulleit Rye Whiskey
• ½ oz. Fresh-squeezed lemon
• Lemon twist
• 4 Cloves

Pour half the boiling water into your mug to warm it. While the mug is warming, reduce the boiling water to medium and add honey, whiskey and lemon, stirring to combine. If using sugar, make sure it has dissolved before pouring it into your mug. Discard warming water and pour in above mix, adding lemon twist that has been studded with cloves.

What the heck is Hot Buttered Rum? Well, it’s just that! Combining a spiced butter batter with dark rum and boiling water is just what the doctor ordered when the deep chill hits.

Hot buttered rum cocktail with cinnamon for Christmas and winter holidays

• 1 oz. Room temperature unsalted butter
• ¼ Cup brown sugar
• Generous pinch of cinnamon
• Generous pinch of nutmeg
• Generous pinch of clove
• Small pinch of salt
• 2 oz Myers Dark Rum
• Hot water

Combine all ingredients, except rum and water. Chill slightly. In a warm mug, combine rum and hot water, and stir in butter batter. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and serve piping hot.

If I’m on vacation, at the end of a fabulous day out in vineyards, swimming in the ocean, or skiing down a mountain, I like to enjoy a good Spanish Coffee. Many places don’t know how to make them anymore, but this is my favorite recipe.

• 3/4 oz. 151-proof rum
• 1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
• 2 oz. Kahlúa
• 3 oz. Fresh-brewed coffee
• Tools: lighter or matches
• Whipped cream
• Ground nutmeg

In a brandy snifter or coffee mug, add the rum and the Grand Marnier to the sugar-rimmed glass and carefully ignite. Add Kahlúa (the flame should go out at this point) and top with hot coffee. Garnish with whipped cream and lightly sprinkle on ground nutmeg.

Genepy des Alpes, a favorite of European skiers, is herbal liquor that is fresh, mentholated and bright. When added to your favorite hot chocolate, it becomes a minty surprise that will delight.

• 1 ½ Dolin Genepy des Alpes
• 3 oz. Hot chocolate
• Homemade marshmallows

In a pot, heat your favorite hot chocolate mix and stir in Genepy de Alpes. Pour in a mug and top with marshmallows.

All of these recipes are fun, warming and filling, but don’t worry about the calorie count. Building a snowman burns about 200 calories!

Enjoy!