The weather outside might be a bit frightful, but these drinks at local hotspots are quite delightful. Whether it’s hot in temperature or in flavor, here are some of the best libations to sip on during this Philadelphia winter.
Milkboy
This local Philly brand offers a specific section for winter warmers at their 11th and Chestnut location. Options include the Gimme S’more ($12) made with Bailey’s, Kahlúa, chocolate syrup, and steamed milk, the MilkBoy Cider ($12) which combines whiskey, steamed cider, and cinnamon, and the MilkBoy Eggy-Nog ($12) which boasts Fireball, Amaretto, steamed egg nog, and cinnamon.
1100 Chestnut Street, milkboy.tv
Assembly Rooftop Lounge
We’ve written about this sky-high pop-up at the Logan Hotel’s rooftop lounge before, and for good reason. Alpine Heights is a a ski-lodge-inspired activation at the rooftop bar and hangout that offers fondue, hot cocktails, comfort food, themed décor, and cozy blankets.
Hot cocktail options span the Chocolate Looove (made with Maggie’s Dark Rum, lemon cordial, chocolate ganache, orgeat and milk), the Honey & Smoke (Xicala mezcal, sfumato amaro, ginger honey, and lemon,) and the Be Well Wassil Wine (made with cabernet, port, brandy, honey and fall spices.)
1840 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., assemblyrooftop.com
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 their Hot Chocolate, which is batched daily from dark chocolate chunks, cocoa powder, and cream (keep it as is or opt in for a peanut butter liqueur and whipped cream finish), the Hot Buttered Rum, and the Hot Spiked Cider which boasts fall spices, exotic syrups, and seasonal fruits. Visitors can get the third option as both a non-alcoholic beverage or spiked with spiced rum, local bourbons or sweet caramel and vanilla liquors.
435 Spring Garden Street, silkcityphilly.com
Lou Bird’s
If you’re a Hot Toddy fan, look no further. This Grad Hospital neighborhood gem offers its own rendition of the classic drink with the Bourbon Cinnamon Hot Toddy creation. Philadelphians can also feel the heat in a different way while here with their spicy margarita (made with cucumber jalapeño tequila, lime, Cointreau, a cucumber slice and a spicy jalapeno salt rim.)
500 S. 20th Street, loubirds.net
Art in Age
This specialty bar and bottle shop has a slew of weekly specials, with the hottest being Toddy Tuesdays with $10 Hot Toddies every Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. at their tasting room bar. Whiskey Wednesdays are also a normal occurrence here with a $10 rotating specialty whiskey cocktail being offered every week, and then every Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., there are $10 Bloody Mary’s offered here to help spice up the weekend.
116 N. 3rd Street, artintheage.com
Urban Farmer
If you need another reason to head to the Logan Hotel, here is it. Urban Farmer is offering two separate warm cocktails that can help Philadelphians brave even the coldest of days in the city with their heat-inducing ingredients. The March of the Hornets boasts maker’s mark, ginger, fresno chili honey and lemon ($16), and the Old Curmegeon is made with wild turkey 101 bourbon, cynar, aperol, red pepper jelly, lemon ($16.)
1850 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., urbanfarmersteakhouse.com
