Chicago’s Best Hot Cocktails This Winter

As the weather turns colder in Chicago and fall turns into winter, sipping a hot cocktail is especially nice on a wintery night.

Many of Chicago’s most popular restaurants make some deliciously creative hot drinks, and not just your standard coffee, hot chocolate or tea.

Atwood Cafe (1 Washington Street; Map) serves a Keoki Coffee made with Kahula, brandy, coffee and whipped cream. ($12)

Rebar (401 N. Wabash) makes a must-try Winter Magic Punch that serves at least eight people and is made with mulled wine, brandy, cinnamon sticks, cloves, oranges and cognac-marinated cherries served in a silver bowl. (Bowl $185; Glass $18)

Eno at the Intercontinental (505 N. Michigan Avenue) known for its wine, chocolate and cheese pairings branches out with a popular winter drink that is more of a dessert than a cocktail: the Hot Jaffa Cake made with Dom Benedictine, Cointreau, Godiva chocolate liqueur and chocolate sauce. ($10)

Potter’s Lounge at the Palmer House Hilton (17 E. Monroe Street) makes a delicious hot spiced wine (just like a Nordic glogg) with cinnamon, honey, nutmeg, vanilla bean, lemon zest, orange and star anise. ($12)

Bonus Tip: If you are a tea connoisseur, check out these high teas in Chicago that are especially popular during the winter.

Tea at the Peninsula Hotel (108 E. Superior Street) includes orange-scented scones, finger sandwiches (turkey, lobster, egg salad and smoked salmon), and teas including black, green, Early Grey and chamomile. ($39 per person)

Tea at NoMi (Park Hyatt Chicago, 800 N. Michigan Avenue) includes a Parisian tea theme with pound cakes, marmalades, pastries and macarons. ($21 per person)

Photo credit: SXC