Here are 8 types of alcohol to keep you going this winter

Mixologists around the US compiled their favourite cocktails for you to welcome winter in a cozy and comfortable fashion. They made a list of off-beat cocktail liquors that’ll keep your bourbons and brandies safely ageing in the cupboard.

Rakomelo is a traditional Greek liquor

Often used in Greece as a medicine against cough, this warm and sweet liquor contains protective antioxidants. “In Greece, they drink it both cold or sometimes heat it up. It’s typically smooth and really enjoyable because the honey rounds it all out,” says mixologist Johnny Livanos. It can usually be mixed with Grappa, honey, a cinnamon stick and clove buds.

Sotol is a cousin of tequila

Made from the agave plant in New Mexico, in the Chihuahuan Desert, the sotol is harvested every 12 years before it is distilled. As the lead bartender of LA’s The Boardroom, Christina Russo, says, “Sotol is super vegetal and green with many of the smoky flavours found in mezcal.” She suggests substituting gin for Sotol.

Zirbenz Stone Pine is the liquor from the Alps

Made with the Arolla Stone Pine fruit, this special liquor is made in the Alps. It can be mixed with a variety of drinks, including gin, bourbon, mezcal and even with martinis and soda water. Mike Di Tota, The Bonnie’s bar director suggests cocktail amateurs to “Add a quarter or half an ounce to anything you want to give a beautiful pine undertone.”

Caffè Amaro is a unique blend of coffee liqueurs

Caffè Amaro can be consumed on its own or with a small peg of tonic and an orange slice. It has a bittersweet and rich coffee blended flavour. Crafted with botanical plants, herbs and cane syrup, this unique coffee liquor is brewed in a whiskey barrel for its one-of-a-kind taste.

Have you ever tried the Four Pillar’s Christmas gin?

This Australian Christmas gin is perfect for the holiday season and throughout winter. It can be mixed into a martini glass with an orange twist or sipped on its own. It is aged in William Grant’s scotch whiskey barrels for a stronger taste.

La Poire du Roulot can give your cocktail a French touch

Made in Burgundy, France, this special liquor has the sweet smell of pear. Served in a martini glass, you can add gin and other liquors with La Poire du Roulot to make it your own blend.

Strega was first produced in the 1860s in Italy

New York’s Stella Hospitality Group co-owner, Eden Tesfamariam Gaim says it is “distilled from 70 herbs and spices from all over the world that result in a thick bright yellow colour with a unique, yet versatile flavour.” It can be served with vanilla, chocolate gelato or even tea to bring out its herbal properties.

Compass Box Orangerie can be served as your seasonal punches

This whiskey version of Compass Box is infused with an orange zest, cassia bar and clove, making it an excellent choice for your winter festivities. Mikey Ferran of New York’s The Spaniard suggests “a shot of Orangerie and some hot water, with a little sweetener of some sort, if you prefer it.”

h/t: Chow Hound
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