Our Favorite Hot & Boozy Cocktails in Brooklyn
The ever-dropping winter temperatures may tempt us to order in and hibernate until the spring, but no weather gets in the way of Brooklynites and their cocktails. However, leaving your apartment and braving the cold in the name of a tasty drink calls for a warm treat. Enter: the hot cocktail.
These days, more than ever, it seems like some of Brooklyn’s finest bars and restaurants are foregoing the ice and serving their best cocktails hot and steamy. From fresh takes on zesty hot toddies, to festive buttered rums, to spiked hot chocolates—there’s a warming, boozy drink to satisfy any craving and get you through the cold months.
Here are our top picks for hot and boozy cocktails from across Brooklyn.
The Eternal – Dram
For a new kind of bourbon hot cocktail, head to Dram. The Eternal combines Bonded bourbon, chamomile grappa, lemon, honey and bitters to keep your hot beverage as stiff as the Brooklyn winter air.
177 South 4th St., South Williamsburg
Koffie Van Brunt – Fort Defiance
At Red Hook’s famed Fort Defiance cafe, you’ll find an entire menu dedicated to warm boozy cocktails, but our favorite is non other than the Koffie Van Brunt. If you’re looking for a caffeine boost with your 2 tablespoons of chilled heavy whipping cream, this “coffee” combines aged dark rum, cherry Heering liqueur, brown sugar and freshly brewed coffee, all topped with whisked cream, orange zest and cinnamon.
365 Van Brunt St., Red Hook
Mulled Wine – Broken Land
This Greenpoint spot’s $8 Swedish Glogg recipe is sure to give you a bang for your buck. Broken Land’s staff blends dry red wine, brandy, cinnamon, cloves and orange peel for a warm concoction that has locals stopping by for its popular happy hour and staying well into the cold nights.
105 Franklin St., Greenpoint
Athol Negre – Leyenda
The cocktail menu at this pan-Latin bar has all the sunny Guatemalan touches we can ask for. But with the temperatures dropping by the day, we encourage you to opt for Leyenda’s Athol Negre. This creamy cocktail combines festive components like Jamaican rum, Scotch, honey, Peychauds bitters, cream and nutmeg. Perfect, if you’re looking to impress a special someone or treat yourself on a solo date.
221 Smith St., Cobble Hill
Warm Swedish Punsch – Aska
For a Michelin-starred Swedish Punch, look no further than to Aska’s acclaimed cocktail offerings. This sophisticated take on “Punsch” is made with aromatic Batavia Arrack, infused with sweetfern and juniper harvested, raw sugar and citrus—all served in a quaint stone mug—that’ll have you feeling you’ve stepped into Scandinavian winter wonderland.
47 South 5th St., South Williamsburg
Legend of the Fall – The Pines
For the whiskey lovers out there, Gowanus’s The Pines offers their Legend of the Falls, which includes High West double rye, Bulleit bourbon, prosecco and apple cider. Paired as a dessert cocktail with restaurant’s sought-after American fare, this concoction is not to be missed during an adventurous dining night out.
284 3rd Ave., Gowanus
Old Man Winter – Clover Club
Clover Club is known as the cocktail bar to be at in Cobble Hill, with an endless menu of spirits and infusions. However, we suggest their Old Man Winter cocktail to warm you up and satisfy your sweet tooth. The mixture Madeira wine, dry sherry, aged rum, all-spice, cinnamon and bitters. And with a burning fireplace and lively atmosphere, it’s just begging to be Instagrammed.
210 Smith St., Cobble Hill
Hot Apple Jack Cider – Wheated
This pizza-and-whiskey joint is known for its extensive Bourbon and rye list. So it’s no surprise that Wheated is offering warmed up favorites like Bourbon hot toddy, hot buttered rum, the not-to-be-missed Hot Apple Jack Cider. The perfect cocktail to wash down all that delicious pizza.
905 Church Ave., Flatbush
The Last Waltz – The Shanty
Leave it to The Shanty—the full service bar attached to the New York Distilling Company—to come up with a winter-ready Negroni. This hot version of the classic cocktail combines the distillery’s own Perry’s Tot Navy Strength Gin, sweet vermouth, dry orange liqueur and branca menta, all stirred with a giant cinnamon stick. Perfect to sip after an exciting tour of Williamsburg’s favorite gin distillery.
79 Richardson St., Williamsburg
Hot Toddy – Miles
Bushwick’s Miles has become a cocktail destination for both locals and trekkers, and with good reason. The bar’s hot toddy made with Oolong whiskey, allspice dram, cinnamon honey syrup, and lemon & citrus bitters. Did we mention it comes with free mac n’ cheese during their Monday happy hour?
101 Wilson Ave., Bushwick
Hot Irish Coffee – The Wicked Monk
Looking for an authentic neighborhood bar in Bay Ridge? Irish bar The Wicked Monk has got it all: “authentic monastery decor,” resembling a Catholic church, live music on weekends & late-night hours. Making it the perfect place to grab a strong Irish coffee to keep you going after a few pints.
9510 3rd Ave., Bay Ridge
Hot Toddy – Bed-Vyne Cocktail
This Bed-Stuy destination is known for its funky music scene and adventurous cocktail menu. Bed-Vyne’s take on the classic hot toddy calls can grab it for just $8 from their unbeaten “happiest hour” menu. Not to mention, their popular live music sets are the perfect time to sip on this up-beat take on the toddy.
305 Halsey St., Bedstuy
Spiked Hot Chocolate – The Way Station
This Prospect Heights joint is known for its Doctor Who decor and attracting Whovians from all over the city, and beyond. But you can still enjoy their warm, boozy “Swiss Mistress” even if you’re not a fan of the long-running series. This take on the hot chocolate gets a stiff fixing of amaretto, which should give you enough energy to talk binging with any self-proclaimed Whovian.
683 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights
Brandy Hot Coco – Black Swan
While Black Swan is known for its twist on British-style pints & pub fare, the cool weather is the perfect time to try their take on the hot coco. Steamy hot chocolate, brandy and All-Spice Dram are topped with house-made whipped cream for a perfectly dessert-esque drink.
1048 Bedford Ave., Bed-Stuy
East Heats West – Branch Office
This Crown Heights gem—known for its quirky cocktails, roomy backyard and weekly movie nights—is the perfect place to try out a new twist on the toddy. While Branch Office has an entire menu dedicated to the winter favorite, we recommend the “East Heats West,” made with Buenbicho Mezcal, Lapsang Souchong syrup, lemon and orange.
East Heats West – 225 Rogers Ave., Crown Heights
All photos by Max Branigan. Aska photo by Jane Bruce. Wicked Monk photo by Alex Srp.
