Cold winter nights and days call for a bit of warmth, and that is where the cocktails fit in. Winter cocktails have become a most popular part of the culture ever since humanity understood the soothing effects of a liquor mixed with juices, spices, and milk. Many cultures have brought their own liquor delicacies for both celebration and good health. Here are four popular cocktails that capture the essence of winter.

Mulled Wine
On a dark winter night, the mulled wine can keep the flu away and make way for a perfect night’s sleep. The ingredients needed are

• Red wine – 1 bottle (750 ml)
• Brandy – 2 ounces
• Cinnamon – 1 stick
• Star anise – 4
• Cloves – 4
• Fresh orange – 1 (sliced)
• Honey – 1 ounce

Heat a saucepan until medium hot and combine the wine, brandy, star anise and cloves. Simmer the contents for 10 minutes without letting it boil. Serve this cocktail in a cocktail glass garnished with a cinnamon stick while it is warm.

Winter Whiskey Sour
The winter whiskey sour is a popular Christmas cocktail which is reputed to keep the party going. This elegant drink has been amusing its patrons for more than a hundred years. The ingredients needed for this most popular winter cocktail are

• Bourbon – 1.5 ounces
• Fresh lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
• Fresh orange juice – 1 tablespoon
• Sugar syrup – half tablespoon
• Honey – 1 teaspoon
• Oranges – sliced for garnish

Paint the honey on the rim of the cocktail glass, fill it with crushed ice and set aside. Pour the bourbon, sugar syrup, lemon juice and orange juice into a shaker filled with ice and shake until it precipitates. Strain this mixture into a fancy glass and garnish with a slice of orange.

Irish Coffee
The traditional Irish coffee with an Irish whiskey is the way to wake up to a wintery morning for the Irish. Here is are the main ingredients of this cocktail:

• Irish whiskey – 1.5 ounce
• Freshly brewed black coffee – 5 ounces
• Brown sugar – 1 teaspoon
• Double cream – 2 tablespoons
• Freshly grated nutmeg – 2 dashes

Set aside a slightly whipped cream that is not too thick. Pour the freshly brewed hot black coffee into a glass and add sugar and then the whiskey and gently stir the glass until the sugar has dissolved. Pour the cream until it gently floats in the top. Finally, sprinkle the nutmeg over the cream.

Eggnog
The Eggnog is a classic Christmas drink that has many variations around the world. Here is a method to make the perfect traditional eggnog. You need

• Bourbon – 1 ounce
• Dark rum – 1 ounce
• Eggs – 4
• Milk – 2 cups
• Heavy cream – 1 cup
• Nutmeg – half teaspoon
• Kosher salt – 2 dashes
• Granulated sugar – quarter cup plus 1 tablespoon

Separate the yolks and whites in two different bowls and set aside. Whisk the egg whites slowly until they form soft peaks. Then add one tablespoon of granulated sugar and beat until they form stiff peaks in the bowl and set aside. Add the quarter cup of sugar to the egg yolks and beat until the lighten in color and the sugar has dissolved completely. Then add milk, cream, liquors, nutmeg, and kosher salt and beat until the mixture has combined. Add the sweetened egg white mix into this bowl, close it with an airtight lid and chill this container overnight. The next evening, the Eggnog is served in a cocktail glass garnished with freshly grated nutmeg. During medical times, the Eggnog was prepared in large volumes and preserved over long winter periods.