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Why People Drink more During Winters

Source www.indiatvnews.com

It’s a well-known fact that we tend to drink more during winters. As temperatures drop and daylight time decreases, consumption of alcohol also goes up a notch. Alcohol boosts the blood flow in our body as it slowly starts diluting with the other fluids in our system and gives you a kick for a while which makes you feel warmer. This warmth makes us feel comfortable and cozy, thus we crave more servings to keep ourselves warm. This is one of the primary reasons why people consume excess alcohol during the winter.

Moderate Drinking does have Health Benefits

Source www.delish.com

Alcoholic drinks that are consumed more in winters have few health benefits associated with them if taken in ‘moderate’ amounts. Vodka aids in weight loss; relieves stress, regulates blood pressure, improves digestion, and lowers fever; Gin fights infection, promotes weight loss, aids in healthy skin, and fights infections; and Rum prevents muscle and bone problems, increases longevity, treats common cold, and contains medicinal properties.

Best Alcoholic Drink in Winter: Drink up to Warm up

Let’s check a few drinks and cocktails which are one of the best alcoholic drinks in winter and would keep you warm during the freezing and chilling weather.

Rum

Source www.liquor.com

Rum lovers like it for its sweet flavor, rich and smooth texture and unique taste. Moreover, it’s one of the favorite winter drinks as it gives quick boost to the body temperature, thus providing warmth. Rum has many medicinal properties, increase the bone mineral density thus useful in Osteoporosis; and moderate amount of rum can increase your lifespan by 2-5 years. Rum can be consumed with hot water during winters and if you don’t like the bitter taste or the pungent smell; add coke or club soda and enjoy with hot winter snacks.

Vodka

Source www.saq.com

This soothing and rich drink, primarily from Russia is a big hit during winters. It’s a distilled alcoholic beverage that is traditionally prepared from fermented cereal grains and being a neutral and tasteless drink, is a great ingredient for any cocktail. You can enjoy vodka with plain water, soda, or also with any lime flavored carbonated drink if you don’t like the plain flavor. Vodka is considered ideal for creating Martinis, Cosmopolitans, and Bloody Marys. Smirnoff, Absolut Vodka, Grey Goose, and Magic Moments are some of the popular Vodka brands.

Brandy

Source www.telegraph.co.uk

Brandy is not only an alcoholic drink but is often advised by doctors to patients suffering from cough, cold, and breathing problems during winters as it improves heart health by increasing HDL cholesterol; acts as a blood thinner, and reduces artery blockage during winters. Moreover, it can keep you warm for a while during winters, cleans the mucus and eliminates bacteria from your respiratory system, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Brandy is devoid of any carbohydrates, thus aids weight gain. A moderate amount of brandy boosts your immune system and also helps you sleep well.

Irish Coffee

Source www.thekitchn.com

Irish coffee is a cocktail drink which contains Irish whiskey, hot coffee, sugar and cream.

Procedure:

  • Add 2 tablespoons of sugar in water,
  • Heat it in a pan until you get a syrupy texture.
  • Now add 30 ml whiskey in this syrup and transfer in glass which has a quarter part filled with hot water.
  • Fill the remaining part of the glass with 70 ml hot coffee and top it up with 30 ml fresh cream.
  • Sprinkle some nutmeg powder and sip it hot.

Forest Sprite

Source www.cosmopolitan.com

A cocktail made from gin and lemon juice, this refreshing drink is perfect to sip near a fireplace in winters.

Ingredients:

  • 45 ml Citadelle gin,
  • 15 ml Fresh lemon juice,
  • 15 ml Pine Syrup,
  • A lemon twist and pine sprig for garnishing

Procedure:

  • Mix the gin,
  • Lemon juice,
  • Pine syrup into a mixing glass with ice (optional) and stir well.
  • Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist and pine sprig before serving.

Hot Apple Cider and Rum Punch

Source www.thespruceeats.com

This cocktail is packed with the benefits of apple cider and rum and would provide you the much-needed warmth on a cold evening.

Ingredients:

  • 8 cups apple cider,
  • 1 thinly sliced apple,
  • 1 thinly sliced orange,
  • 2 cinnamon sticks,
  • 1-inch ginger piece (thinly sliced),
  • 2 cups dark rum.

Procedure:

  • Add the apple cider to a pot and heat until it starts simmering, now add the apple, orange, cinnamon sticks, and sliced ginger.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat and then let it simmer on low flame for 5 minutes.
  • Now turn off the heat, add the rum, and serve in glasses.
  • You can also add small amounts of nutmeg, cloves, a pinch of salt, butter, and some brown sugar to the mixture while it’s boiling and before adding the rum.

Hot Toddy

Source www.winemag.com

The list of best alcoholic drinks in winter would be incomplete without mentioning the classic ‘Hot Toddy’ drink. This easy to make drink will warm you up on a chilling winter night and you can drink it after dinner.

Ingredients:

  • 1 mug of water,
  • 60 ml whisky (Irish, rye, bourbon, or scotch),
  • Freshly squeezed lemon juice of 1 lemon,
  • 4 cloves,
  • 1 lemon (peeled),
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar.

Procedure:

  • Pour boiling water into a mug and let it stand for a minute or until the mug becomes warm.
  • Stick the cloves in the lemon peel and keep aside.
  • Now empty the mug and again fill halfway with fresh boiling water, add sugar and the lemon peel, and stir to dissolve the sugar.
  • Finally, add the whiskey and lemon juice, stir and serve hot and fresh.

The Difference in Moderate and Excessive Drinking

Source www.noblediagnostics.com

It’s very important to know how much is ‘too much’ while drinking! Consuming alcohol in moderate amounts during winter can give you various benefits, but an excess amount can lead to side-effects, health hazards, and complications like a hangover, dehydration, etc. A glass of red wine or a pint of beer in a day is fine, but when it comes to hard liquors like rum and vodka, men shouldn’t take more than 2 drinks (90 ml) and women 1 drink (45 ml) a day.

Writer
Rahul Banerji
Rahul began his stint as a freelance writer after working in the corporate world for ten years. He enjoys writing on various topics and is an avid blogger. His interest in science, technology, politics, current affairs and the latest trends helps him to back his writing with well researched facts. Rahul finds solace in gadgets, nature and spirituality.

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Keep Yourself Warm in Winters with these Alcoholic Drinks in 2020

Alcoholic drinks can help more than just get you high, especially in winters. They will keep you warm, help improve blood flow and some also have medicinal properties. So, make yourself one of these drinks and say cheers to warmer winters!