Cocktail & Other Recipes Occasion Winter

8 Essential Cocktails for Your February Parties

Written by
Olivia French is writer and content creator based in Charlotte, N.C., whose experience spans cocktail trends, travel and lifestyle.
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Olivia French
Published 01/13/20
Rum & Smoke. Image: Tim Nusog

There’s nothing like a stiff drink to warm you up on a cold winter day. And the days don’t get any colder than they do in February. Whether you’re celebrating the end of Dry January, Valentine's Day, or just another bone-chilling night, these are the eight cocktails to make this month.

  • Ginger Gin Fizz

    Tim Nusog

    If homemade ginger-infused gin doesn’t impress your guests on its own, it definitely will when it’s mixed into this cocktail. Fresh lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, egg white and ginger bitters elevate the gin’s botanical flavors and give it a creamy texture, while a dash of club soda lightens it all up.

    Get the recipe.

  • I Left My Heart in Jalisco

    Heat things up with this warm and spicy tequila drink. Homemade spiced hot chocolate is a creamy base for reposado tequila, while a dash of ancho chile liqueur adds an extra hint of heat. And the recipe makes enough for two cocktails, so you can share with your sweetheart—or just have extra for yourself.

    Get the recipe.

  • Clover Club

    Tim Nusog

    Add a pop of brightness to dreary winter days with this beauty. Gin, egg white, lemon juice and raspberry syrup combine to form a balanced pre-Prohibition drink you won’t believe you waited so long to taste.

    Get the recipe.

  • Boozy Hot Chocolate

    (Tim Nusog).

    Warm up on even the coldest February days with this adult spin on a kiddie classic. The best part? You can choose which spirit to use, so fans of everything from bourbon to rum can enjoy it. Finely chopped semisweet chocolate and hot milk make a creamy hot chocolate base that’s brought to new heights when mixed with your spirit of choice.

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 5 of 8 below.

  • Milk & Honey

    Take a trip to the promised land without leaving your couch with this creamy concoction. Benedictine and milk are spiced with a cinnamon stick and an orange slice to make a simple but delicious drink. Feeling chilly? This cocktail can also be served hot, so you can enjoy it whenever the mood strikes.

    Get the recipe.

  • Hot Gin Punch

    Keep all your guests warm with this big-batch cocktail. Gin, Madeira, lemons, oranges and pineapple are simmered until hot, then served in a teapot and garnished with clove-studded orange slices.

    Get the recipe.

  • Reverse Manhattan

    Eric Medsker

    Vermouth stars in this twist on a classic Manhattan. Switch things up—and lighten your ABV—by doubling your vermouth and adding a little rye and Angostura bitters. Serve in a chilled Nick and Nora glass and garnish with a Marasca cherry for a more traditional presentation of the modern flavors within.

    Get the recipe.

  • Rum & Smoke

    Rum & Smoke. Tim Nusog

    Rum in the winter? Yes, it can be a thing. Adding a little smoked rosemary syrup helps keep aged rum from feeling too tropical, and oloroso sherry and Tempus Fugit Gran Classico liqueur bring even more deep, wintery flavors. Garnish with a smoked rosemary sprig for extra flair.

    Get the recipe.