Edina Winter Cocktail Recipes

Seasonal cocktails that will heat you up when the temperatures drop.

By: Sarah Baumann | From the issue: January 2012

Photo: Tate Carlson

Spanish Coffee from McCormick & Schmick's

As some of the coldest and longest nights of the year set in, we’re looking for any way to warm up … and keep our spirits up. Behold: the winter cocktail. We chatted with some of the city’s best bar gurus—at Crave, McCormick & Schmick’s and Pittsburgh Blue—and snagged their favorite recipes for cool weather drinks, all creamy, decadent and packed with flavor (vanilla and chocolate and hazelnut, oh my!). So have your friends and family over for a seasonal soiree or just snuggle up for a cool winter’s night—whatever the occasion, these tasty cocktails are guaranteed to warm you up from the inside.

Espresso Shot

1½ oz. Borghetti espresso liqueur

1 oz. Stoli vanilla vodka

½ oz. simple syrup

Splash of stout

Crushed peanuts (optional)

Combine all the ingredients except the stout and peanuts. Shake ingredients, then strain. Finally, top with the stout. Serve up in a martini glass, with an optional crushed peanut rim.

*Courtesy of Darcie Marsh, director of beverages at Crave

Release the Kraken

1½ oz. Kraken rum

½ oz. Herring cherry liqueur

¼ oz. simple syrup

Juice from 1 lemon wedge

1 dash of chocolate bitters

Cherries

Combine all the liquid ingredients over ice. Shake, and strain onto fresh ice. Serve in a rocks glass and garnish with a cherry.

*Courtesy of Darcie Marsh

Chocolate Martini

2 oz. Sobieski vanilla vodka

1 oz. Baileys Irish cream liqueur

1 oz. Godiva chocolate liqueur

1 oz. Frangelico hazelnut liqueur

Chocolate sauce

Combine all the liquid ingredients. Shake, and pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Tip from Chris: A perfect drink for entertaining, this looks really cool if you swirl the martini glass with chocolate sauce before you fill it.

*Courtesy of Chris Christopherson, assistant general manager at Pittsburgh Blue

Iron Butterfly

2 oz. Sobieski vanilla vodka

1 oz. Kahlua coffee liqueur

1 oz. Baileys Irish cream liqueur

Filberts or Hazelnuts

For a delicious twist on the classic white Russian, combine all liquid ingredients. Serve in a lowball glass over ice. Garnished with filberts or hazelnuts.

*Courtesy of Chris Christopherson