Brr, Chilly Season Getting to You? Try Out these Best Alcoholic Drinks for Winter and Warm Up!

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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

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

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.

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.