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As Winter’s frosty bite settles in, there’s no better way to chase away the chill than with a cosy cocktail in hand.

Winter might seem like a season where cocktail recipes take a backseat to the fresh, vibrant produce of spring or the juicy fruits of summer. But the winter season offers its own unique treasures and underrated ingredients that can transform your cocktail experience and serve as the perfect catalyst for a warm little gathering.

While the warmth from a mulled wine or Irish coffee are delightful options, we’re thinking of drinks more along the lines of health boosts and energy kicks. It’s about staying warm, sure, but it is also about having the energy to enjoy the season without completely disintegrating into a blanket heap until the sun and sandals come out again.

Here are some of our favourite cocktail recipes that will not only act as a warm liquid blanket but will also add a kick and a boost to keep you going during the coldest months.

The Guardian‘s Dark and wintry:

You’ll need:

• 1 tsp apricot jam
• 4 mint leaves
• 45ml aged rum, like Havana Club 7
• 35ml Drambuie, which is a 40% ABV liqueur made from Scotch whisky, heather honey, herbs and spices
• 12½ml fresh lime juice
• 12½ml standard 1:1 sugar syrup
• 15ml triple sec
•  Fitch & Leedes Ginger Beer
• 1 mint sprig, to garnish

The mixing and making:

1. Put the jam, mint, rum, Drambuie, lime juice, sugar syrup and triple sec in a cocktail shaker, add a big handful of ice and shake hard.
2. Strain into a highball glass, top up with ginger beer, garnish and serve.

Hennessy & Indian Tonic

You’ll need:

• Fitch & Leedes Indian Tonic
• 50ml Hennessy
• 25ml sweet vermouth
• 15ml lemon juice
• 15ml simple syrup
• mint sprig for garnish
• 3 lemon slices for garnish

The mixing and making:

1. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice combine the Hennessy, sweet vermouth, lemon juice and simple syrup.
2. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
3. Top with Fitch & Leedes Indian Tonic.
4. Garnish with 3 slices of lemon and a fresh mint sprig.

Tanqueray Sevilla x Grapefruit Tonic

You’ll need:

• Fitch & Leedes Grapefruit Tonic
•  50ml Tanqueray Sevilla Gin
• squeeze of ¼ orange
• orange wedge, for garnish

The mixing and making:

1. In a glass filled with ice combine the gin and orange juice.
2. Top with Fitch & Leedes Grapefruit Tonic and garnish with a chunky wedge of orange.

The Fitch Energy Spritz 

 

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You’ll need:

• 50ml vodka
• 50ml bubbly
• Orange wheel
• 100ml Fitch & Leedes Energy Mixer

The mixing and making:

1. Build all ingredients over ice in a wine glass.
2. Top with Bubbly and Fitch & Leedes Energy Mixer.
3. Garnish with an orange wheel.

All of Fitch&Leedes’ bespoke mixers are available to purchase online through Takealot, making ordering in these colder months hassle-free.

Cheers to all these cosy vibes.