Tom & Jerry
Thrillist
The British writer Pierce Egan created The Tom & Jerry in the 1820s. It has been delighting and thawing us out ever since. Its name, as Thrillist tells us, ‘is not, as one might think, a reference to the famous cartoon cat and mouse duo, nor is it a nod to the great Jerry Thomas. Rather, it was inspired by Egan’s book, ‘Life in London Or, The Day and Night Scenes of Jerry Hawthorn Esq. and his Elegant Friend Corinthian Tom.’ Decadent in the extreme, you’d better have a hunger, as well as a thirst, on for this one, which combines a creamy, eggy batter with dark rum and brandy, and is then served hot with steamed milk. Cosy comfort in a glass ahoy. Find the recipe here.
Pirate’s Grog Mulled Rum Cider
Pirate’s Grog
When two British travellers, Gareth and Beth, upped sticks to go on an adventure through the Banana Republic of Roatán, off the coast of Honduras, they could little have expected that their travels would change their lives forever. And yet, so enamoured were they of the sweet, fiery potion known as ‘Pirate’s Grog’ that they imbibed by night with fellow travellers and buccaneers that they did what any reasonable people would: they sought out the alchemist responsible for the liquid gold: Robert J.van der Weg. Five year aged in American oak casks, it is purported to be the spiciest rum in the world, thus making it our go-to for winter. We love this warming concoction, which mixes said Pirate’s Grog rum with dry cider, apple juice, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and slices of apple and orange. There’s nothing quite like it to keep you warm – whether a swashbuckler on the high seas or a landlubber with feet firmly planted on the soil. Find the recipe here.
Winter Daiquiri
Liquor.com
Daiquiri is, along with many rum cocktails, frequently considered a heady summer poolside thirst-quencher. And yet, as demonstrated by the Chicago-based mixologist, Eden Laurin, all you need to do is to switch up a couple of ingredients and you have a perfect, and extremely delicious, fireside snifter on your hands. As told to Liquor.com, she explains, ‘Splitting the classic Daiquiri base with an aged rum adds a depth and warmth… So I like to add a bit of Cruzan black strap rum and give the drink a rich molasses-y twist.’ With a little lime juice and some simple syrup, you’re all set. We’re fully on board for her simple but perfect creation. Find the recipe here.
Image: Kirsten Opsahl
Spiced Winter Punch
Spache The Spatula
Who could possibly resist this prettiest of punches of a winter’s night? It contains sugar, spice and all things nice – and frankly, while we may long ago have reached peak cocktail in a jam jar, we don’t care when it looks this good (plus, it’s nearly Christmas, when traditionally all rules are flung out of the window). The ideal drink to make in batches for winter parties. Find the recipe here.
Hot Buttered Rum
Thrillist
Just the words ‘buttered’ and ‘rum’ used in close conjunction with one another is enough to give us a warm and fuzzy feeling. As Thrillist tells us, ‘When American colonists began importing rum to the colonies from Jamaica, it led to the creation of a number of rum-based drinks, including this decadent mix of rum, hot water, butter, brown sugar and spices. We suggest making up a big batch of hot buttered rum batter and throwing it in the freezer—it’ll keep until the mood strikes on a cosy night in.’ We can’t think of a better – or more wonderfully indulgent – thing to have on standby for the moment when the cold, or a thirst, strikes. Find the recipe here.
