Hi!!! I hope everyone’s having a great (not too stressful) time getting into the holiday spirit! But, of course, when the times do get stressful, there’s nothing like a nice cocktail to take the edge off.

Well, winter drinks come with some complications: there’s the hard choice between dessert and a drink; there’s also the choice between a warm comforting drink and a refreshing cool cocktail.

Stuck at these crossroads? Look no further. These decadent, warm cocktails combine the best of all three words. Enjoy!

Note: No underage drinking was involved in the creation of this post of the related recipes. My mom happens to enjoy the occasional drink, so I decided to treat her with some of my “original  recipes.” She was very happy to say the least

Beer Latte

Beer Latte– This Beer latte combines the hearty flavor of a nice dark beer with the delicious, comforting creaminess of a latte. The recipe is technically alcohol free , but feel free to reduce the expresso by 1/2 and throw in a shot of coffee liqueur.

Creamy Pumpkin Spice Cocktail

Rum Pumpkin Spice Latte– I know I’m about a month too late to catch the PSL trend, but I honestly don’t care. The temperatures here in Shanghai are still high enough for some killer pumpkin. Even if pumpkin’s so last season, there’s always room for a fragrant, creamy cocktail that harkens back to (slightly) warmer times.

Upgraded (adult) Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Spiked Peppermint Hot Chocolate– Cuddling up with a mug of hot chocolate is a quintessential childhood experience. Well, adults get an upgrade to this ageless delight. Oh, and don’t forget to share the experience, preferably around a cozy fireplace.

I hope everyone enjoys these delicious drinks. Happy Holidays!

• Drinks