Dec 18, 2025 - Food and Drink
Hot boozy beverages, and how to make them local
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Boozy beverages are one of my favorite ways to warm my hands and lift my spirits when the weather outside is frightful.
- Here are four of my favorites — plus how to make them, and ways to infuse local flavors.
🍎 Mulled cider: My mom always made this, and I've carried on the tradition.
- Heat up half a gallon of cider, then drop in orange slices, cinnamon sticks and cloves to taste. Spike with rum or brandy.
- Make it local: Kudos if you managed to snag this limited brandy collab by Lifted Spirits and KC Wineworks. Find Louisburg cider in Hy-Vees around town.
🍋 Hot toddy: This is essentially the best hot lemon water you'll ever have.
- Fill a mug two-thirds full of hot water, then add 1 ounce lemon juice, 1 ounce honey, and 2 ounces whiskey or brandy.
- Make it local: Kansas City Box has a cute toddy kit, or you can get one made for you at Thou Mayest.
☕ Irish coffee: It's 4pm, and you're getting sleepy. Whatever will you do?
- Make some black coffee and add Irish whiskey to taste. Go nuts and add a little Irish cream while you're at it.
- Make it local: Find authentic whiskeys and liquors at Browne's Irish Marketplace. I also like Sons of Erin from Restless Spirits.
🍫 Spiked hot chocolate: Warm milk used to put me to sleep. This is pretty much the same, right?
- Heat up 16 ounces of milk in a pan. Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons sugar, and whisk. Add chopped up chocolate (chips work too) to taste. Spike with vodka or whiskey.
- Make it local: Skip the hassle with a Bizz and Weezy hot cocoa bomb or a Christopher Elbow drinking chocolate mix.