Summer is long gone, and you may be looking forward to the warmth of spring, but winter doesn’t have to be all about the cold. When the temperatures drop, turn up the heat in your kitchen with homemade cocktails. Whether you are hosting a group of friends or you are enjoying a quiet night in, these classic drinks will bring you all the warmth you need on those cold winter nights.

• Warm Spiced Sangria. Don’t be afraid to serve your wine warm. Raising the temperature just a little and mulling it with allspice, cloves, black peppercorns, and orange rinds will lay the foundation for this warming cocktail. Mix it with juice and garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick to complement the perfect night in front of the fire.
• Hot Buttered Rye. It’s well known that people turn to bourbon for its warming qualities, but mixing it with maple syrup, ginger, and nutmeg makes this drink the perfect sipping drink for your favorite winter movie. Top with whipped cream, and enjoy!
• Boozy Butter Mint White Hot Chocolate. Hot chocolate in winter isn’t just for the kids. This variation is perfect for adults. While you can create any variation that you want, this version blends white chocolate, vanilla, and butter mints together and finishes with Irish cream liqueur. It will give you a hot chocolate that brings back memories of throwing snowballs, building snow forts, and sledding down your favorite hill.
• Smuggler’s Coffee. Everyone loves a warm cup of coffee, but now imagine your favorite brew mixed with liquor. Put down the Irish cream and grab the rum, both gold and dark, and mix it in with your favorite cup of coffee. Add a little cinnamon and orange zest to the top of this drink, and enjoy this boozy pick-me-up.

Here are our four favorites we hope you’ll enjoy.

• Hot Toddy. While there are many variations to this cocktail, the classic recipe is still one of a kind. When the temperatures drop, mix together ¾ cup of hot water, 1.5 ounces of your favorite whiskey, 2 – 3 teaspoons of honey, and 2 – 3 teaspoons of lemon juice, and garnish with a cinnamon stick and lemon twist. If you want to take it to the next level, use your favorite tea instead of lemon.
• Mulled Wine. This can be a great way to heat up your favorite wine. Start with a bottle of your favorite dry red wine, a ¼ cup of brandy, one cut-up orange, eight whole cloves, two sticks of cinnamon, two stars of star anise, and 2 to 4 tablespoons of your favorite sweetener (such as sugar, honey, or maple syrup). Combine together and heat to just below simmering (bubbling will remove the alcohol). Reduce heat and let sit for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours.
• Hot Buttered Rum. Mixing together your favorite fall spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves) with ⅔ cup brown sugar, ½ cup of butter, ¼ cup of honey, ¾ cup of spiced rum, and 2 cups of boiling water will give you a delicious and silky winter drink.
• Irish coffee. Simply made but delicious, Irish coffee uses 1 cup of your favorite coffee and blends it with one tablespoon of brown sugar, 1.5 ounces of Irish whiskey, and slightly whipped heavy cream.

It might be cold outside, but with these drinks, you’re sure to raise the temperature. Stop by your local Payless Liquor store today and pick up everything you need to keep yourself warm this winter.