Ranked by flavor math

The best winter cocktails
for fireside season.

When the light goes early, drinks should get deeper. We ranked the cellar on richness and strength — the axes that read as warmth — and these are the pours that hold up against a cold window.

01

Vieux Carré

Rye, cognac, vermouth, Bénédictine, two bitters — the French Quarter, stirred.

Richness 9/10, strength 9/10 — drinks like a blanket.

02

White Russian

Vodka, coffee liqueur, cream — the Dude's drink, and the dessert cart's rival.

Richness 10/10, strength 6/10 — drinks like a blanket.

03

Alexander

Cognac, crème de cacao, cream, nutmeg — velvet's drinkable form.

Richness 10/10, strength 6/10 — drinks like a blanket.

04

Old Fashioned

Whiskey, sugar, bitters — the cocktail other cocktails answer to.

Richness 8/10, strength 9/10 — drinks like a blanket.

05

Manhattan

Rye, sweet vermouth, bitters — a drink in a tailored suit.

Richness 8/10, strength 9/10 — drinks like a blanket.

06

Boulevardier

A Negroni that traded gin for bourbon and put on a winter coat.

Richness 8/10, strength 9/10 — drinks like a blanket.

07

Sazerac

Rye, Peychaud's, and an absinthe rinse — New Orleans in a chilled rocks glass.

Richness 8/10, strength 9/10 — drinks like a blanket.

08

Carajillo

Espresso over Licor 43 — Mexico City's favorite way to end dinner and restart the night.

Richness 9/10, strength 6/10 — drinks like a blanket.

09

Irish Coffee

Hot coffee, Irish whiskey, brown sugar, cold cream — weather insurance in a glass.

Richness 9/10, strength 5/10 — drinks like a blanket.

10

Hanky Panky

Gin, sweet vermouth, Fernet — invented by the first famous female bartender, still undefeated.

Richness 7/10, strength 9/10 — drinks like a blanket.

Or let the math pick for you.

Seven questions, scored against all 141 drinks.

Take the quiz

More rankings

Best Summer Cocktails Best Low-ABV Drinks Best Zero-Proof Cocktails & Drinks Best Bitter Cocktails Best Sweet Cocktails Best Strong Cocktails

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