Planning a winter vacation? Don’t forget to bring along a few ingredients, a few spirits, and mixers to keep you toasty during the cold weather. Having what you need for your chilly season libations is a must if you want to relax to the fullest this winter. And there’s a bonus wintery mocktail included in this list of Winter Cocktails to make on vacation, for any people partaking in “Dry January” resolutions this year!
Spiced Mulled Wine, a warm wine winter cocktail on vacation hits the spot!
Winter’s delicious best friend is Spiced Mulled Wine. It’s one of those easy to make winter cocktails that satisfies wine lovers and sweet drink folks alike. This cocktail is served warmed and it’s the perfect way to come back from skiing or winter hiking.
Plus it’s a budget friendly cocktail. If you enjoyed a glass of red wine the night before you can use up the rest of that bottle in this drink! Great way to minimize waste and make the most of what you brought with you on winter vacay. 
Mulled Wine has a long history and it goes back as far as Ancient Greece. To prevent waste and to ensure as much alcohol as possible was palatable, the Greeks would add spices and fruits into old wine past its harvest and then heat it up to cook down the fruit. Then during the Middle Ages the process of heating up old wine and adding in spices continued, it was a means to cover up the bad taste of fermented wines that were otherwise unpalatable. Eventually Mulled Wine became a holiday cold-weather tradition that we enjoy to this day. It’s capturing the warmed hearts of many because of its thriftiness and customizability.
Ingredients
- 8 Oz Red wine, any kind of red wine will do
- 2 Lemon slices
- 2 Cloves
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- Dash of ground pink peppercorn
- Dash of ground cardamom
- 2 Teaspoons of honey
- 0.5 Oz of cognac
- 1 Orange wedge
Instructions
- Pour the red wine into a large saucepan with spices, lemon slices, and honey. Stir the mixture slowly.
- Heat on medium low until it starts to simmer and then remove the pan from the heat. Allow the mixture to sit and steep for 1 minute.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the stick and cloves.
- Stir in the cognac and pour into a mug or heat proof glass.
- Garnish with an orange wedge.
Minty Mule, a fresh take on a favorite winter cocktail!
Many are familiar with the Moscow Mule cocktail, made with vodka and ginger beer. It’s a favorite for many. Take that thought and try something new, replace the vodka with whiskey and add in some fresh mint…enter the Minty Mule!
The whiskey and ginger warm you right up on a snowy winter day and the mint is particularly nice during chilly weather. Chapped lips and feeling dry from running the heat can seem inevitable during the colder winter months, and let’s face it, nobody wants to feel that way on winter vacay. This simple Minty Mule is a great remedy to soothe those dry chapped lips. Give it a try on your next winter vacation!
Ingredients
- 2 Oz Whiskey
- 0.5 Oz Lime juice
- 6 Oz Ginger beer
- 1 Sprig of fresh mint
- Ice
- 1 Lime wedge
Instructions
- Muddle a sprig of mint with lime juice directly in the bottom of a copper mug or a tall glass will do too.
- Pour in the whiskey and ginger beer and stir until all ingredients are combined.
- Add ice and stir once more.
- Garnish the mug with a lime wedge.
Clove Hot Toddy, a cure-all winter cocktail that makes any chilly vacation better!
The classic Clove Hot Toddy is the ultimate winter cocktail and it’s as easy as making a mug of tea really, same steps. This simple cocktail can be stirred up in no time and you only need a few no-fuss ingredients. The bourbon whiskey in this cocktail makes for a deeply warm sip. And if bourbon isn’t available or your favorite then try it with dark rum for a sweeter treat.
Pro Tip: Pre-warm your mug before making the cocktail. Add about a ¼ cup of hot boiling water to your mug while you gather ingredients…pour out the water and start building your cocktail. This will keep your cocktail hotter longer, so you can sip for a while.
The Hot Toddy got its start during the 1600’s, as the United Kingdom’s spice trade routes with India crossed paths with English pubs. To keep warm during cold winter months, hot water and whiskey in a mug was already a mainstay but with the addition of exotic spices and sugar the drink evolved. Eventually even doctors at the time were said to prescribe the drink to patients to alleviate symptoms. Fast forward to today, and many still make the Hot Toddy their go-to during cold-fighting season. It certainly made a comeback during the pandemic.
Ingredients
- 2 Oz Bourbon Whiskey
- 0.25 Oz Fresh lemon juice
- 2 Teaspoons brown sugar
- 5 Cloves
- Sliced lemon
- Boiling water
Instructions
- Press 5 individual cloves into a round lemon slice and set aside.
- Boil water and fill a mug three-quarters of the way up and stir in brown sugar until dissolved.
- Pour in the whiskey and lemon juice and stir.
- Top the mug with the clove-studded lemon slice and let the flavors steep.
- Serve right away and sip slowly!
BONUS WINTER MOCKTAIL! The Rosemary Cider Spritzer
Mocktails mimic alcoholic cocktails. Spritzers are especially great as mocktails and can be made with a variety of ingredients, plus fruit and juice. Mocktails are family friendly, so whatever the reason for choosing to sip booze-free give this recipe a try this winter season! The Rosemary Cider Spritzer is fizzy and just as celebratory as its alcoholic counterpart. 
Ingredients
Rosemary Simple Syrup
- ½ Cup water
- ½ Cup granulated white sugar
- 1 Sprig fresh rosemary
Cider Spritzer
- 4 Oz. apple cider
- 4 Oz. club soda
- 1 Tablespoon rosemary simple syrup
- Ice
- 1 Additional sprig fresh rosemary
Instructions
- First, prepare Rosemary simple syrup: Combine water, sugar, and rosemary in a small saucepan. Simmer and stir over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool for 1 hour, or place in fridge to speed up the cooling process.
- Strain out and discard the rosemary sprig.
- Next, prepare the mocktail: Combine cider, club soda and simple syrup in a short glass and stir until combined.
- Add ice. Reserve remaining simple syrup for another use.
- Garnish with fresh rosemary sprig and serve.
Winter Vacation at White Fence Farm Rentals
What are you waiting for? Check our availability here. White Fence Farm Rentals offers: White Fence Farm, White Fence Farm Downtown Boone, and the Appalachian House. Each property brings about a different experience and meets the needs of different types of getaways. We hope to have you stay with us the next time you visit the high country! The winter season is a great time to stay and getaway!
Our Favorite outdoor winter activities you will enjoy just as much as these winter cocktails…
Hiking
Hiking…yes, winter hiking is a thing! Anything and everything off the Blue Ridge Parkway goes. For something a little more off the beaten path, head to Elk Knob State Park.
Skiing & Snowboarding
Our vacation rental homes are close to so many of the South’s greatest slopes. If you’re coming to the mountains this time of year, your trip won’t be complete without hitting the slopes. Try out a few ski resorts during your stay!
Snow Tubing
If skiing and snowboarding aren’t your thing, we suggest snow tubing. Remember to bundle up before you head down the mountain! Check out Hawksnest Snow Tubing for more information.
Written by Andrea Morton, Creative Blogging + Marketing Strategies
