During the coldest days of winter, what’s better than a piping hot cup of booze that ratchets up the cozy factor instantly? Here in Virginia, it’s certainly been cold enough to crave those hot winter beverages! From hot cocoa and cider to mulled wine, these boozy concoctions will warm you up from the inside out. Don’t think twice about venturing outside into the cold for a few drinks; we assure you these stops will be worth it.
RAKO Cafe
At this women-owned day-to-night cafe, the To Stay or To Go Toddy is made with rye, housemade baklava syrup, and hot water. Kick it up a notch with an optional rye spice. The baklava syrup elevates the sweetness of the rye to just the right point, making it lip smacking but not syrupy. 2016 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
The Salt Line Ballston
At this Ballston location, a selection of handcrafted hot cocktails are available. Winter warmers include the Smoking Bishop (composed of mulled wine, cognac, demerara, citrus, and mulling spices), the Livin’ La Vida Cocoa (spicy cocoa mix kicked up a notch with anejo tequila and churro marshmallows), and their hot toddy, a classic warmer with bourbon, sherry, spiced honey syrup, lemon, and ginger bitters. 4040 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Muse Paintbar
Channel your inner Picasso while sipping on a mulled wine at this premier paint-and-sip studio. Muse Paintbar has four locations in NoVA–Mosaic District, Ballston Quarter, Gainesville, and Woodbridge. Multiple locations
Caboose Commons Brewpub and Caboose Tavern
At Caboose Commons, you can find a hot mulled wine made with pinot noir, brandy, orange liqueur, and a slew of fruit and spice; a “Toddy-ody-ody” with butterscotch, cinnamon stick, steamed apple cider, and rye. Also popular is the boozy hot chocolate with housemade mocha sauce, steamed with your choice of milk, and combined with Four Roses bourbon, Frangelico, and Irish Cream before being finished off with a couple of dashes of cinnamon. 2918 Eskridge Rd., Fairfax
At Caboose Tavern, mulled wine is available, as is a classic hot toddy with Earl Grey Tea, Four Roses bourbon, honey, and lemon. 520 Mill St. NE, Vienna
Blend 111
At the Latin American Blend 111, the house-roasted coffee makes its way to the “Noche De Sueno,” a cocktail that combines dark rum, espresso, and oat milk. 111 Church St. NW, Ste. 101, Vienna
Trummer’s
A hot pisco made with pisco, apple reduction, and winter spices, topped off with boiling water, and served with whipped honey butter proved so popular on the holiday menu, the team decided to keep it on for the winter. 7134 Main St., Clifton
Blue Rock
At the newly renovated and reopened Blue Rock in Washington, Virginia, the “Blue Rock Hot Toddy” is made with Laird’s Straight Apple Jack 86, honey syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon-infused water, lemon wheel, and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Make a staycation of it at this gorgeous property that also boasts a farmhouse. 12567 Lee Hwy., Washington
Pamplona
This Clarendon Spanish restaurant is currently serving a chai toddy with bourbon, simple syrup, and Oregon Chai (tea) Latte. Tapas and toddies, anyone? 3100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington
Ambar Clarendon
Located in the heart of Clarendon, this popular spot offers two warmer cocktails for the season: The Winter in Belgrade–made from a combination of bourbon, spiced pear purée, and walnut bitters, garnished with cinnamon and dehydrated pear–and the Balkan mulled wine–with red wine, fresh oranges, allspice, cinnamon, and star anise–are both served warm and boozy. 2901 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Assembly
This Rosslyn spot is keeping metro riders and Virginians warm with their Amaro toddy–warm cider is seasoned with star anise, a cinnamon stick, and then rye whiskey and Amaro Nonino is added for a smoky and nutty kick. Enjoy this hot concoction over lunch or dinner at this multifaceted food hall. 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington
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