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10 Real Winter Cocktails: The Ultimate Guide

Step-by-step recipes and buy-in guide for winter cocktails — ingredients available at Universal Wine & Liquor, serving Stratford, Bridgeport, Milford, and nearby towns.
December 3, 2025 by
10 Real Winter Cocktails: The Ultimate Guide
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Winter is here, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy a warm, flavorful cocktail. Whether you’re in Stratford, Bridgeport, Milford, or nearby towns, Universal Wine & Liquor has everything you need to make these classic winter drinks at home. From warming hot toddies to creamy eggnog, our store carries all the ingredients — at great prices and with friendly service.

Located at 1040 Barnum Ave, Stratford, CT, right next to Starbucks and Ambrosia Bakery, we make it easy to grab everything in one trip. Our large parking lot ensures stress-free shopping, even on snowy days.

Here’s a complete list of 10 winter cocktails with Buy-In Guides from Universal Wine & Liquor, so you know exactly what to grab.

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1. Classic Hot Toddy

The original winter cure.

Classic Hot Toddy

 *Serving suggestion 

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Bourbon or Whiskey

  • 1 tbsp Honey

  • ½ Lemon (juiced)

  • 1 cup Hot Water

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to make Classic Hot Toddy

  1. Warm the mug – Pour hot water into your mug, then dump it out to keep your drink hot longer.

  2. Mix the base – Add honey and lemon juice into the warm mug.

  3. Add the whiskey – Pour in 2 oz of bourbon or whiskey.

  4. Finish and serve – Top with hot water, stir until honey dissolves, and add a cinnamon stick if desired.

Buy-In Guide from Universal Wine & Liquor:

  1. Bourbon: Wild Turkey 101, Woodford Reserve, New Riff, or any good bourbon.


2. Old Fashioned (Winter Version)

A heavy-hitter for sipping by the fire.

Old Fashioned (Winter Version)

 *Serving suggestion 

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Bourbon

  • 1 Sugar Cube (or 1 tsp simple syrup)

  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

  • Orange peel

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to make Old Fashioned

  1. Mash the sugar – Combine sugar cube and bitters with a tiny splash of water, mash until dissolved.

  2. Add ice and whiskey – Drop in a large ice cube and pour in bourbon.

  3. Stir – Stir gently for 20 seconds.

  4. Garnish – Twist orange peel over glass to release oils, then drop in.

Buy-In Guide from Universal Wine & Liquor:

  1. Bourbon: Bulleit, Maker’s Mark, Four Roses

  2. Simple Syrup: Master of Mixes or Stirrings

  3. Bitters: Angostura Aromatic Bitters


3. The Manhattan

Sophisticated, strong, and timeless.

The Manhattan

 *Serving suggestion 

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Rye or Bourbon

  • 1 oz Sweet Vermouth

  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

  • Cherry

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to make The Manhattan

  1. Combine ingredients – Whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters in a glass with ice.

  2. Stir, don’t shake – Stir for 30 seconds; shaking makes it foamy.

  3. Strain – Pour into a cocktail glass without ice.

  4. Add the cherry – Drop in a cherry and enjoy.

Buy-In Guide from Universal Wine & Liquor:

  1. Rye/Bourbon: Bulleit Rye, Wild Turkey Rye, Woodford Reserve

  2. Sweet Vermouth: Martini & Rossi Rosso, Dolin Rouge, Carpano Antica

  3. Bitters: Angostura Aromatic Bitters

  4. Cherries: Luxardo Maraschino or Collins Cocktail Cherries


4. Hot Buttered Rum

Dessert in a mug.

Hot Buttered Rum

 *Serving suggestion 

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Dark Rum

  • 1 tbsp Butter Mixture (soft butter + brown sugar + cinnamon)

  • Hot water

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to make Hot Buttered Rum

  1. Prep the butter – Mash butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

  2. Fill the mug – Spoon butter mix into mug and pour in rum.

  3. Add water – Pour boiling water on top.

  4. Stir well – Stir until butter melts and forms creamy foam.

Buy-In Guide from Universal Wine & Liquor:

  1. Dark Rum: Kraken Black Spiced Rum, Bacardí Black, Captain Morgan


5. Irish Coffee

Caffeine and whiskey—the perfect pair.

Irish Coffee

 *Serving suggestion 

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz Irish Whiskey

  • 4 oz Hot Coffee

  • 1 tbsp Brown Sugar

  • Whipped cream

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to make Irish Coffee

  1. Sweeten coffee – Stir sugar into hot coffee.

  2. Add whiskey – Pour Irish Whiskey in.

  3. Add cream – Gently spoon whipped cream on top.

  4. Drink – Sip through the cream; don’t stir.

Buy-In Guide from Universal Wine & Liquor:

  1. Irish Whiskey: Jameson, Bushmills Original

  2. Whipped Cream (Upgrade): Whipshots or Whipped Fusion


6. Mulled Wine

The smell of the holidays.

Mulled Wine

 *Serving suggestion 

Ingredients:

  • 1 Bottle Red Wine

  • Orange slices

  • Spices (cinnamon sticks, cloves)

  • Sugar to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to make Mulled Wine

  1. Combine – Pour wine in pot, add orange, spices, and sugar.

  2. Heat – Low heat for 15-20 minutes; don’t boil.

  3. Serve – Ladle into mugs.

Buy-In Guide from Universal Wine & Liquor:

  1. Red Wine: Apothic Red, 19 Crimes Red Blend, Barefoot Cabernet


7. Hot Apple Cider with Bourbon

Easy, fast, and delicious.

Hot Apple Cider with Bourbon

 *Serving suggestion 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Apple Cider

  • 2 oz Bourbon

  • Cinnamon stick

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to make Hot Apple Cider with Bourbon

  1. Heat cider – Warm apple cider in pot or microwave.

  2. Add whiskey – Pour bourbon in mug with cider.

  3. Garnish – Stir with a cinnamon stick.

Buy-In Guide from Universal Wine & Liquor:

  1. Bourbon: Buffalo Trace, Evan Williams Black Label, Wild Turkey


8. Spiked Eggnog

Rich and creamy tradition.

Spiked Eggnog

 *Serving suggestion 

Ingredients:

  • 4 oz Eggnog

  • 1.5 oz Spirit (if using regular eggnog)

  • Nutmeg powder

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to make Spiked Eggnog

  1. Pour – Alcoholic eggnog: pour over ice. Regular: add bourbon/brandy.

  2. Add eggnog – Fill rest of glass.

  3. Stir & top – Sprinkle nutmeg.

Buy-In Guide from Universal Wine & Liquor:

  1. Alcoholic Eggnog: Evan Williams, Pennsylvania Dutch, Christian Brothers

  2. Spirit (if mixing): Hennessy VS, Maker’s Mark


9. Winter Moscow Mule

A refreshing break from hot drinks.

Winter Moscow Mule

 *Serving suggestion 

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Vodka

  • 0.5 oz Lime Juice

  • Ginger Beer

  • Cranberries (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to make Winter Moscow Mule

  1. Ice it up – Fill cup with ice.

  2. Add vodka – Pour vodka and lime juice.

  3. Top – Fill with ginger beer.

  4. Garnish – Add cranberries.

Buy-In Guide from Universal Wine & Liquor:

  1. Vodka: Tito’s, Grey Goose, Smirnoff

  2. Ginger Beer: Gosling’s, Fever-Tree

  3. Lime Juice: Master of Mixes, Rose’s


10. The Boulevardier

The Whiskey drinker's Negroni.The Boulevardier

 *Serving suggestion 

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz Bourbon

  • 1 oz Campari

  • 1 oz Sweet Vermouth

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to make The Boulevardier

  1. Mix – Pour ingredients into glass with ice.

  2. Stir – Chill until glass is cold.

  3. Serve – Strain into fresh glass with ice; add orange peel.

Buy-In Guide from Universal Wine & Liquor:

  1. Bourbon: Wild Turkey 101, Woodford Reserve, Four Roses

  2. Aperitivo: Campari

  3. Sweet Vermouth: Martini & Rossi Rosso, Dolin Rouge



Stock up for the season!

Stop by Universal Wine & Liquor, 1040 Barnum Ave, Stratford, CT. Serving Stratford, Bridgeport, Milford, and nearby towns, we have all the ingredients you need, friendly staff to help you find them, and great prices for a stress-free winter cocktail season.

Need help picking the right bottle or ingredient? Call us at +1 (203) 345-3790 or contact us through our website. We’re always happy to help make your winter cocktails perfect.