The weather outside has certainly dropped, but, Philly has a great solution to warm your spirits — and that’s with more spirits. Whether it’s a spiked hot chocolate, a flavorful mulled wine or another toasty libation, there are plenty of options for hot cocktails in the winter months in Philadelphia. All you have to do is choose where it is that you want to go.
Silk City Bar and Lounge
This eclectic and unique Northern Liberties eatery and bar—which also moonlights as a nightclub—has plenty of cocktail options when it comes to warm spirits. While at Silk City, diners can sip on Mulled Cider ($12, composed of Bacardi Spiced Rum, house-made cider blend, chai, lemon, and seasoned with autumn spices), and a Philly-themed riff on the classic Irish coffee ($12, prepared with La Colombe Nizza blend and Baileys Irish Cream, topped with fresh whipped cream and chocolate shavings).
435 Spring Garden St., silkcityphilly.com
Assembly Rooftop Lounge
Why not sip on a hot beverage while overlooking some of the city’s best views? Assembly sits on top of the Logan Hotel, which overlooks the picturesque Logan Square Circle and fountain, with an even better view of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and City Hall. Guests can soak in the sights next to a warm fire at this rooftop destination. Winter warmers at Assembly include their Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate ($15, crafted with Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, ganache, cream, and garnished with a toasted marshmallow), Mulled Hot Apple Cider ($15, composed of Stateside Black Label Bourbon, spiced cider, fresh raspberry, and topped with cinnamon), and Alpine Toddy ($15, made with Jameson Whiskey, ginger liqueur, fresh lemon, and earl grey tea). The cold season has also shifted Assembly’s menu with their “Alpine Heights offerings” featuring reimagined wintry dishes from Executive Chef Sonny Ingui, including his four cheese fondue, tartiflette, roasted bone marrow, apple strudel, and more.
1840 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, assemblyrooftop.com
Devil’s Den
Having a cozy atmosphere even on the coldest of nights isn’t the only appeal to South Philly’s Devil’s Den. The bar and eatery also keeps a list of hot beverages for those looking to indulge in spirits, and the lineup includes their Spiked Hot Apple Cider (prepared with toasted caramel whiskey or dealer’s choice of craft spirits), and the decadent Spiked Hot Chocolate (composed of house-infused candy cane vodka, dark melting chocolate, cream, sugar and water).
1148 S. 11th St., devilsdenphilly.com
MilkBoy Philly
MilkBoy Philly, the landmark locale of the Philadelphia-born brand located in Center City, is helping cocktail enthusiasts “chase away winter blues” with three piping hot boozy beverages, a release states. While there, guests can enjoy their MilkBoy Cider ($11, crafted with bourbon, apple cider and topped with cinnamon), Gimmie S’mores ($12, composed of Baileys Irish Cream, Kahlúa, steamed milk, and drizzled with chocolate syrup), and Jesses Hot Toddy ($11, prepared with whiskey, cloves, earl grey simple syrup, and lemon).
1100 Chestnut St., milkboy.tv
Red Owl Tavern
Red Owl Tavern is a classic spot in Old City, whether you’re there for dinner, brunch or just a drink at the bar. It’s here where you can also find one of the best hot toddies in Philadelphia as well. Courtesy of Lead Bartender Christopher Devern, the house-made drink is composed of your choice of whiskey, their in-house spiced honey (made with clove, cinnamon and cardamom), lemon and hot water. Guests can enjoy ROT’s Hot Toddy throughout the winter months, or even, on National Hot Toddy Day next Tuesday, Jan. 11.
433 Chestnut St., redowltavern.com
City Winery
City Winery, located in the Philadelphia Fashion District (although you enter from the outside on Filbert street), has expanded their cocktail menu for the winter season. Although the wine is the showcase at this nation-wide destination (Philly is one of the brands’ many cities), the winter libation menu has grown to showcase different drinks that will warm up your insides. Diners can sip on their Maple Chipotle Margarita (made with Bribon Tequila Blanco, lime, chipotle habanero syrup, maple syrup, cranberry bitters and tajin), and Mulled Wine (made with City Winery wine, fall spices and Esprit du jour) to soak in all the flavors of the chilly season.
990 Filbert St.,citywinery.com
Boardroom Spirits
So technically, these cocktails are served cold, but they were made especially for the season and have adorable names… So, it’s well worth it. Boardroom Spirits has unveiled three new cocktails for winter and Philadelphians can sip on them all. One option includes the Winter Citrus Crush (21% ABV, $38, blends the distillery’s signature, award-winning Boardroom Vodka, orange liqueur, grapefruit and blood orange). Boardroom says the result of this cocktail provides a bright aromatic, citrus-forward flavor right in time for the peak of citrus season. There’s also the Christmas Cranberry Blizzard (21% ABV, which combines Boardroom’s smooth vodka with unsweetened, 100% natural cranberry juice and syrup with notes of cloves and Ceylon cinnamon), and the Village Bourbon Punch (21% ABV, which “marries” Northbound Bourbon, Fire Bear Cinnamon Whiskey, and the distillery’s Zesty Orange Liqueur with citrus and dark brown demerara sugar). As Boardroom says, sippers are encouraged to enjoy the drink by mixing it with equal parts of hot water for a classic Hot Toddy experience that promises to chase the dark, cold winter chills of the season away. The Cranberry Blizzard and Village Bourbon Punch are seasonally inspired and commemorative bottles that were created for the Christmas Village in Philadelphia when it was open. Luckily, those two are also now running on a promotion for $29.99, which you can get online. The Winter Citrus Crush is a seasonal favorite that is making its much awaited comeback for a limited time. Each ready-to-drink product provides 6-8 premium cocktails depending on strength and pour. All three items may be purchased online and are available for pickup or local delivery (including Philadelphia), and shipped throughout PA.
Harper’s Garden
This is a great option for those who want a libation, but are also trying out Dry January, are pregnant, or sober. This Center City oasis offers a Dry January Mocktail Happy Hour every Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will be offering their Mulled Hot Cider (made with hot apple cider, cinnamon, star anise, lemon and ginger) as one of the options to be enjoyed inside or in one of their heated greenhouses during the winter months. On top of the mulled cider, other mocktails include their Moon Drop Lemonade (made with Moondrop Grape and fresh lemonade), Blackberry Ginger Soda (made with blackberry, strawberry, ginger, lime and soda) and Fig Vanilla Palmer (made with fig, vanilla, fresh lemonade, lemon, and fresh iced tea).
31 S. 18th St., harpersgardenphilly.com
