As the days grow colder and the nights shorter, we figure you'll still need a stiff drink to see you through the apocalyptic winter. Fear not, we’ve got you covered with these four winter cocktails, perfect to enjoy with your fellow survivors by the light of a burning oil drum. Or at a party with friends ‒ wherever your anarchic revelry takes you really.
Bootsy Collins
Meet Bootsy, Tom’s wayward cousin. Glowing in the wintry darkness, this ruby-hued cocktail amps up the flavour and potency of a classic Tom Collins with the addition of some Lillet Rouge. Add to that the usual vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup, and you have a dangerously drinkable cocktail to get you through the cold winter nights.
Ingredients:
60mL Rusty Barrel Vodka
60mL Lillet Rouge
30mL Lemon juice
30mL Simple syrup
Lemon wheel, for garnish
Method:
- Combine all ingredients except lemon wheels in an ice-filled shaker.
- Shake vigorously, and strain into an ice-filled Collins glass.
- Top off with more Lillet Rouge, if desired.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Bloody Mary
In the dead of winter, heat is a precious resource ‒ you’ve got to take it in whatever form it comes. In this case, the fiery heat of a spicy Bloody Mary. With lashings of hot pepper sauce, zinging Worcestershire and fragrant cracked pepper all mixed up in a juicy blend of tomato and vodka, this classic cocktail will warm you down to your nuclear core.
Ingredients:
60mL Rusty Barrel Vodka
120mL Tomato juice
15mL Lemon juice
8 drop Hot pepper sauce (red)
4 dash Worcestershire sauce
2 grind Black pepper
1 pinch Salt
Lemon wedge or celery stick, for garnish
Method:
- Combine ingredients except garnishes in a mixing glass, stir and pour into an ice-filled Collins glass.
- Garnish with lemon wedge or celery stick.
Apple Strudel
It may be the apocalypse, but that doesn't mean dessert is off the menu. Take a break from the madness and sate your sweet tooth with this liquid reimagining of a wintertime classic.
Ingredients:
45mL Rusty Barrel Vodka
15mL Blended Scotch whisky
15mL Apple Schnapps liqueur
15mL Dry vermouth
15mL Apple juice
5mL Monin Cinnamon syrup
Method:
- Shake all ingredients with ice and fine strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Crisp Toddy
In the post-apocalyptic hinterlands, you don’t have the luxury of coming down with a cold. Ward off the sniffles (and keep your hands warm) with this bracing riff on the traditional hot toddy. Make a strong brew, trade out the scotch for vodka and add a touch of lemon and honey to fortify yourself against the winter cold.
Ingredients:
Black tea
60mL Rusty Barrel Vodka
20mL Orange liqueur
15mL Lemon juice
15mL Honey
Lemon slice, cloves and cinnamon stick, for garnish
Method
- Brew black tea to your preferred strength.
- Warm a mug by filling it with hot water. Once the mug is warm to the touch, pour out the water.
- Add vodka, orange liqueur, lemon juice, and honey to the mug and top up with black tea. Stir well, mixing carefully to dissolve the honey.
- Garnered with a lemon slice studded with cloves and/or a cinnamon stick.
