Winter Warmer Cocktail

As the name would suggest, the Winter Warmer Cocktail is designed to be something tasty you have when it's cold. The booze and the sweet notes of the Licor 43 warms you up, and the citrus combined with the Tequila is just a tried and true combination. True, Tequila isn't often known as a wintery kind of spirit, but, combined by the Licor 43, it does the job.

The amount of citrus juice in this cocktail is pretty minimal though. Just a little bit of Orange Juice and a little bit of Lemon Juice to give this cocktail some zing and prevent the sweetness of the Licor 43 from taking over too much. Ultimately, a good cocktail is about balance. You don't want any one flavour to take over too much. This is why that little bit of sourness from the citrus is important to keep things in control.

Total Time 3

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

45 mL Tequila Reposado or any Tequila really
30 mL Licor 43
0.5 tbsp Lemon Juice
1.5 tbsp Orange Juice
1 dash Angostura Bitters

Instructions

Add Tequila, Licor 43, bitters, and juices to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake everything to mix it and chill it.
Strain into a Rocks glass with fresh ice, preferably just a single large cube.
Drink!

Notes

Even though you're not using a lot of Lemon or Orange Juice, make sure it's good and fresh. It's almost more important that it's fresh because you're not using a lot. You really want to make sure the small amount shines through and give some subtle flavours, as intended.

The same goes for the Tequila. Not in terms of freshness but in terms of quality. We've suggested a Reposado here, but you're welcome to use any style of Tequila you prefer or have on hand. But just make sure it's good Tequila, none of the cheap stuff! The Tequila is doing a lot of the work in this cocktail, so give it the best chance it has by using something decent.

Let’s Keep Talking About the Winter Warmer Cocktail

This seems to be one of those cocktails that just “appeared,” so there’s not really any history to it. It’s just some ingredients that someone thought sounded good together, so they made it.

Sure, Tequila and Licor 43 don’t really sound like they go together, but it actually works! Especially if you’re using a good Tequila. Bad Tequila can burn and all in all taste terrible. It may be good for shooting and generally just pouring down your throat, but not for savouring. We’ve already said it, but use good Tequila for this cocktail.

Is it fine to make more than one Winter Warmer at the same time?

Of course! You can probably fit at least two of these in a cocktail shaker without any problems. Just be sensible with things and don’t try to add too much liquid to your shaker. Otherwise you won’t be able to shake things and you’ll have a bad time. If you’re making more than just a few Winter Warmer Cocktails, maybe do it in two batches.

Will the Winter Warmer keep if I make it in advance?

It should keep well in the fridge if you make a Winter Warmer in advance. Usually cocktail with citrus juices should be served right away, but there’s so little citrus in this cocktail that letting it sit for a bit shouldn’t make too much of a different.

When’s the best time to enjoy a Winter Warmer Cocktail?

Obviously enjoy one of these cocktails during the winter when it’s cold outside! Although the Winter Warmer is served cold, it’s still a great drink to sip on when you’re sitting inside on a cold night, maybe with a fire going or the heat on.

Have one of these cocktails with (or for) dessert, or just as a nice nightcap to finish things off with.

Is this a strong cocktail?

The Winter Warmer leans on the strong side, yes. Although Licor 43 only comes in at 31%, which is less than a lot of spirits like Tequila that are about 40% ABV, you have more than 60 mL of alcoholic stuff (that’s the technical term) in this cocktail once you combine the Licor 43 and the Tequila. Sure, there are strong cocktails out there, but there are weaker ones too.

Enjoy this drink in moderation.

What’s the best kind of music to listen to while having a Winter Warmer Cocktail?

We like some quiet and relaxing folk music to go with something like this. The Winter Warmer really isn’t a party cocktail. It’s a cocktail that you sip on quietly and just enjoy either by yourself or just one or two other people.

So put on something quiet to listen to, make a fire, and just relax until the spring time comes.