As the temperature drops, you find yourself running from class to class bundled like a sherpa, only to take your seat and spend the whole class trying to get the feeling back in your fingers. Or you are home for break and want to get your drink on, but there is no way in hell you are going out in the snow.

If the stress and the chill start getting to you, or if you just want to curl up with something steamy, nothing takes the edge off quite like a warm, holiday-y cocktail. They are the liquid version of comfort foods; kid’s drinks full of your favorite rich, wintry flavors, spiked with booze for that extra ahhhhhh factor.

The best part? The tastiest ones are also the simplest, so you don’t have to go buy some of those random liquers you’ll use once every ten years (Kirsch? seriously?). Here are a few of my favorite ideas for defrosting from the inside out. Best for apres ski… well, apres anything, really. Read More »

There is no nice way to put this: it is f*#king freezing outside. And even though I am trying my hardest not to give into my yearly bout with depression, leaving the house is getting harder and harder to do.

And when I do force myself to venture out into the cruel, cold world – say, to go to work – it takes me a good half hour to warm up when I finally get back home.

I have tried everything in the book to get warm: thick socks, long underwear, hot tea. But none of it works. If you too are suffering with no relief from the bitter cold that settled in this past week, you may also be looking for alternative ways to keep warm this long and dreary winter.

And, trust me on this one, there really is only one way to do it: with the help of booze. Warm booze, that is.

Nothing warms you from the inside out quite like a hot cup of spiked cider. Or some old fashioned hot buttered rum.

Pair them with some gingerbread cookies (you can buy em at the store!) and old episodes of Sex and the City and you have yourself the perfect winter afternoon with the girls.

I get warm just thinking about it!

The recipes could not be easier. So stock up on these ingredients, throw on some wool socks and get ready for a warm and cozy winter.

Spiked Hot Apple Cider:

6 to 8 oz apple cider or juice

1 oz dark rum (2 tablespoons)

Heat the cider until it boils. Pour into a cup, add rum. Garnish with sliced apple or a cinnamon stick. Sip, warm up and enjoy! Read More »