6 Best Warm Whisky Drink Recipes for Winter

Whisky is a naturally warming spirit. Its spicy notes and smooth finish deliver a soothing drink that’ll keep your mitts and toes toasty all through the winter months.
But for an extra bit of comfort, you can also drink your whisky warm.

Heat yours up on the hob to create a warm whisky cocktail that’ll bring out the spices and sweetness of the scotch. A good hot whisky not only elevates the spirit’s flavours but is thought to be good for a cold too – something we’re all too familiar with during winter!

Read on for our favourite warm whisky drinks, taken from our collection of winter cocktails, each of which are simple to make and guaranteed to heat up your holidays.

Hot Toddy

Ah, the Hot Toddy. True comfort in a mug. This classic cocktail has warmed bodies for centuries, collecting many stories about its origins. The most common tale claims it to have been prescribed as a cure for the common cold and flu – and it’s still sipped today for this very reason.

Sniffles aside, you can’t beat a Toddy to warm you up on a winter’s eve. This classic warm whisky drink is most commonly made with honey, lemon and spices such as cinnamon and cloves. But you’ll find many variations from Canada’s maple syrup twist to a cayenne pepper kick. We add apple cider to our Hot Toddy recipe for a sweet fruity fizz.

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Whisky Hot Chocolate

There’s nothing quite like a cup of hot chocolate to warm you up in the winter. Well, until you stir in a swig of scotch whisky. Our whisky hot chocolate recipe calls for a shot of The Glenlivet Founders Reserve for an extra dose of smooth warming sweetness.

Add a generous dollop of cream and sprinkle yours with cinnamon, chocolate flakes or your favourite topper, be it marshmallows, coconut or chopped nuts.

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Bonfire Toddy

Talking of twists on a Toddy, we’ve got one that’ll spice up your night. Add a fiery dash of ginger syrup and aromatic Angostura Bitters to a classic Toddy mix that will mingle perfectly with fresh lemon juice and The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve whisky.

We love to cosy up with a mug in front of the fireplace, or make it the drink of choice on Bonfire Night. Your friends and family will be extra grateful for a warming glass as fireworks light up the sky.

Hot Tea Toddy

Whisky and tea have long been paired together to form a soothing pick me up. Both compliment each other’s smoky, malt flavours, bringing out notes of tropical fruits and spice. Green tea and whisky is often mixed for a refreshing iced drink. Whilst in winter, black tea is brewed to mix with lemon, honey and whisky for a twist on the Hot Toddy.

Swap hot water for freshly brewed tea using our Toddy recipe that combines sweet spices of cinnamon and cloves. And find out more about how to mix whisky and tea to create your own toasty tea cocktails.

Spiced Spey Coffee

Coffee and whisky are a match made in heaven – so what better than a hot whisky coffee cocktail to sip this festive season? Our Spiced Spey Coffee is our take on the original Irish recipe, made with 40ml of The Glenlivet 12 Year Old whisky to mingle soft, sweet, fruity notes with 75ml of deep, rich coffee.

We also add 15ml of dark liquid chocolate and a pinch of hot pepper to elevate the cocktail’s spices, meaning you’ll get a whole host of warming flavours while 10ml of simple syrup ensures things don’t get too bitter. For extra indulgence, top with lightly whipped double cream.

Hot Buttered Cider

For a warm winter whisky drink that’ll really soothe the senses, give a Hot Buttered Apple Cider a try. This spiced cocktail is mixed on the stove, making a deliciously scented pot that fills your home with cinnamon, fruits and honey.

A twist on our spiced cider whisky, this recipe calls for a stick of salted butter, resulting in an extremely smooth, luxury drink. Pop the stove on a low heat and keep a ladle handy – you’ll be wanting a top up!

After more seasonal cocktails to drink during the colder months? Take a peek at the best fall whisky drinks for sipping over a Thanksgiving feast.