Hot coffee is spiced up with some cinnamon whipped cream and given a whisky kick. This Winter Warm-Up is the perfect Winter Bourbon Cocktail!
We woke up yesterday morning to the sounds of the Bliss Kids screaming “It’s snowing! SNOW! OMG SNOW!!!!” Then we quickly all bundled into our snow gear and headed outside before it melted.
Except, it didn’t melt. It stuck! And then, it snowed some more! It snowed enough for snowball fights and sledding down our hilly street. It was a Last Day of Winter Break miracle!
In honor of our little temporary winter wonderland, I’ve got a winter bourbon cocktail that can warm up (grown-up) frozen fingers and toes.
What is the difference between this and Irish Coffee?
Some people call this an Irish Coffee, but technically Irish Coffees must have Irish Whiskey such as Jameson, Bushmills, or Michael Collins, in them. Of the many whisky options in my bar, I don’t have any Irish Whiskey at the moment. For this, I used Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey. Therefore, this hot coffee cocktail goes by a different name, one more appropriate for its purpose, I think! :)
What kind of coffee to include in this cocktail?
You’ll want to start with a coffee that is medium- or full-bodied, dark roasted coffee. A light-bodied coffee like a Blonde roasted style coffee will be too light, too weak to hold the bold flavor of the whisky.
However, a medium- to full-bodied coffee will stand up nicely to the richness of the whisky.
Don’t forget the whipped cream!
You can make your own whipped cream by whipping together heavy cream and sugar. If you do this, I suggest sprinkling in just a dash of cinnamon in the cream if you’d like to add even more flavor to the whipping cream.
The cinnamon stick is more than just decorative, too. I like to use a cinnamon stick to stir the bourbon and coffee combo for a bit. This is so the flavors of the whisky and coffee blend together nicely. And also, to add just a touch of cinnamon to the liquid itself.
I am a big fan of cinnamon, though. You could skip that part and use a regular spoon or cocktail stirrer if you wish.
More Cocktail Recipes
Bourbon and Bitters Cocktail: Old Man River
Bourbon Renewal Cocktail
Rosemary Citrus Old Fashioned
Classic Moscow Mule Recipe
Winter Bourbon Cocktail: The Winter Warm-Up
Ingredients
- 8-10 oz hot coffee
- 1-2 oz whisky
- whipped cream
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
- ground cinnamon
- optional: cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Make the whipping cream: in a stand mixer with a whip attachment, mix whipping cream and sugar on high for several minutes until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- Pour hot coffee into a mug with whisky. Start with 1 oz whisky, then add another ounce if you feel you need/want more.
- Stir with a cinnamon stick to give the liquid just a hint of cinnamon; set cinnamon stick aside.
- Top with whipped cream.
- Sprinkle with ground cinnamon.
- Garnish with cinnamon stick.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What’s your favorite hot cocktail (or mocktail)?
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I have never had coffee and whiskey combo – we must try – I think my husband would love this! I don’t miss the snow. I grew up in the Northeast – but sure would love one of these hot drinks right about now! Your pictures are wonderful!
This is the photography nerd in me, but BRAVO on the use of show for the backdrop :) Perfect opportunity for this type of beverage – and I’ll bet it tasted GREAT after hanging out in the snow!
I am completely hopeless with the cold weather. I’ll be needing this if I live in a place that snows! Beautiful though.
Oh, coffee and whiskey is one of my favorites! Yummy!
This looks delicious! Especially in the cold winter weather.
–Melissa
http://www.melissamchee.com
All the YESSSSS!!! I’m realllly tempted to jazz up my coffee.
I love how you took advantage of the snow to get these great shots – How pretty! AND – Yum!
Well that is just perfect for the snow day! Hope you guys had fun playing in the snow and are enjoying another day of break!
Yes yes yes! I couldn’t believe the snow stuck around, either. What great inspiration for a warm cocktail! My personal fave is a hot toddy, mostly because they make me feel better if I’m sick and go out to a bar anyway. (Not that I ever go out to bars these days, but still!)
Enjoy the snow!!
Yes, this looks totally delicious and I wish I could make it right now! Unfortunately, it’s only 10am haha. Thanks for this great recipe!
This would be awesome of those cold winter nights. Beautiful pictures.
what a perfect snowy compliment to a delicious looking drink!
This would be perfect right now!! Seriously, it is absolutely freezing out and nothing would make be better than a glass of “winter warm up!”
This looks so good! A perfect beginning OR end to a chilly day!
Mmmmm this looks so yummy! Perfect on Saturday nights when me and the hubs stay in, watch a movie and relish our “adult time” after the baby is down!
This is my kind of warm up beverage. Happy you are happy with the snow…I am finding myself wishing for it here in Utah just to get our temps above freezing.