Crocktails for a Cold Winter's Night
Most of the United States is under a winter advisory, so stay home with a warm drink
Most of the United States under a winter advisory. NBC News reports 31 million people — from Arizona to Florida — are feeling the effects of this winter warning.
With the addition of flu season and a norovirus outbreak, it’s not the worst idea in the world to hunker down with Netflix, some snacks, and a comforting Crocktail.
What’s a Crocktail, you ask?
It’s a warm, boozy beverage that you make in your Crock Pot.
Most everyone has a Crock Pot — at some point, you were gifted one by your Aunt Myrtle when you moved into your apartment. You made chili once for the office potluck and put it away in the back of the pantry. It’s time to make good use of it.
An added benefit to the Crocktail is that your entire home will be filled with the scent of fruit and spices — the real kind — not the candle or spray variety. And, if your throat is a little scratchy, the combination of honey, citrus, and spirits is sure to soothe.
Plus, a Crocktail takes only a few minutes to prepare and can keep for days when transferred to an airtight container and chilled in the fridge. That’s of course, if there’s any left.
Here are a few recipes to start you off, but feel free to riff. The secret is to balance between a spirit (brown spirits work best like an aged rum or tequila or a whiskey, sweet notes (think honey and sweet juices), a hint of citrus, and warm spiced notes (mulling spices and cinnamon work wonders).
Hot Bourbon Tea Toddy
4 cups hot water for tea
4 oz. bourbon
2 oz. apple moonshine (or apple brandy)
4 tea bags (we used PB Tips)
1 lemon
6 tablespoons honey (or more, to taste)
6 cinnamon sticks
mulling spices
Directions
Add hot water for tea and tea bags to the Crock Pot. Cut half a lemon into slices and add to Crock Pot. Add the juice of the remaining lemon half, along with six cinnamon sticks and a tablespoon of mulling spices (add more spices to taste).
Allow tea to steep for about five minutes; then remove tea bags. Steep longer for a stronger toddy. Add apple moonshine and whiskey, and simmer. The longer you simmer, the better the toddy tastes.
Pour into glass mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks and lemon wedges. add more honey to taste.
Hot Toddy
3 cups hot water
6 oz. whisky or bourbon
4 Tbsp. honey
2 oz. lemon juice
Lemon wedges and/or cinnamon sticks
Directions
Mix all liquids into a Crock Pot and simmer until warm. Garnish with lemon wedges and cinnamon sticks.
Spiked Mexican Hot Chocolate
2 parts tequila
3/4 parts agave nectar
1 part heavy whipping cream
2 parts milk
1 part Oaxacan chocolate powder
Freshly whipped cream
Combine all ingredients except the whipped cream on medium heat, stirring casually until the mixture comes to a boil.
Transfer to Crock Pot and simmer.
Serve each cup with a cinnamon stick and top with whipped cream.