Five cocktail recipes to enjoy after those cold days on the hill

A cold day on the hill might translate to a cocktail afterward. (Sugarbush Photo)

With some of the best beer in the country, New England’s ski country serves up ample opportunity for snowriders to savor a craft IPA after a day on the slopes.

But there is something to be said about sipping on a warm, booze-filled cocktail on the bitterest of days.

Those on a budget might choose to pre-mix these cocktails and store them in a Thermos, while the thriftiest might even bust out the camp stove in the parking lot.

Others might simply check out the bar and see what kind of strings they can pull to get one of these served up. 

Regardless of how you pull it off, here are a few of the best cocktails to warm you up after a day on the hill.

— Hot apple toddy | A take on a traditional hot toddy, a hot apple toddy utilizes hot apple cider mixed with whiskey (or apple brandy) instead of hot water. Play around with the basic recipe, choosing a sweetener of your choice, or even by adding fresh ginger. Ingredidents: 5 oz. hot apple cider; 2 oz. whiskey; 1 tsp. honey (or agave, or other natural sweetener); cinnamon, lemon, ginger (optional).

— Mulled wine | If you try to order this one at the bar, you might ruin any chances of befriending the bartender — or at the very least, get laughed out of the bar. So if you really want to treat yourself, wake up a little early in the morning so you can still catch first chair, and pack this one to go. Before heading out for the day, mix the ingredients and simmer on low for 10 minutes. Ingredidents: 4 cups apple cider; 1 bottle red wine; ¼ cup honey; 4 cloves; 3 star anise; ½ cup brandy (optional); cinnamon to taste; fresh juice from one orange.

— Kahlua hot chocolate | What else needs to be said? Hot chocolate is about as classic of an aprés drink as you can get. Add some booze, and you’re truly living large. For this recipe, take the time to make your own hot chocolate from scratch to really treat
yourself after a long day of bombing the steeps. Ingredidents: 2 cups hot chocolate; 1 oz. Kahlua coffee liqueur; nutmeg, cinnamon, chocolate syrup and/or marshmallows to taste.

— Irish coffee | The Irish coffee is a classic you can get at almost any aprés bar. But it’s also incredibly easy to make yourself, which gives you full creative control to experiment by adding different ingredients (think cinnamon, nutmeg, Bailey’s) to taste. Ingredidents: 1 cup black coffee; 2 oz. Irish whiskey; ½ cup heavy cream (substitute canned whipped cream or half and half); 2 tsp. sugar (substitute maple syrup for the true New England experience). If using heavy cream, bring it along separate in a container  and whisk (or shake) until it is thick, yet pourable. Pour it softly so it forms a layer  on top of the beverage.

— Red wine hot chocolate | Can’t decide between a glass of red wine and a cup of hot chocolate? No problem. But we recommend going all-out with the homemade hot chocolate if you’re going to bring this one to the hill. Ingredidents: ⅔ cup finely chopped dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1 cup milk (or a half and half/milk mixture); 2 tbsp. sugar; 1 pinch salt; ½ tsp. vanilla extract; ⅔ cup red wine. Combine all ingredients except the vanilla extract and salt and simmer until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is hot. Add the vanilla extract and salt last.

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