Where to Warm Up with Hot Cocktails around Boston
These local bars and restaurants know that a warm, boozy drink is the best way to fight off the cold.
Mulled wine. / Photo via Getty Images
There are plenty of ways to fight the winter chill—and sipping on a warm cocktail is one of the best. Hot toddies, whiskey hot chocolates, and warm booze-filled ciders are among the options at some of Boston’s best restaurants and bars this season, and most of the drinks come complete with expertly punny names and a smattering of sweet toppings to boot. These spots also boast fire pits and fireplaces, along with soul-warming meals. Stop by for cozy vibes and drinks that are guaranteed to stave off the winter blues.
This guide was most recently updated on December 17, 2024.
Alcove
This West End spot might be known for its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence-winning wine list, but the cocktails are just as enticing. This season, it’s the warm beverages, specifically, that steal the show. There’s the hot buttered rum cider, made with Alcove’s own plantation Australian rum, plus clove, cinnamon, and ginger butter. Then for something chocolatey, there’s the spiked take on the classic hot chocolate, made with green chartreuse, cardamom, and fennel whipped cream.
50 Lovejoy Wharf, West End, Boston, 617-248-0050, alcoveboston.com.
Capo Restaurant
When the cold weather hits, head to this Southie spot for the cozy Italian fare and stay for the perfectly spiced mulled wine and hot buttered rum. If you’d prefer not to brave Boston’s brutal winter weather, instead pick up Capo’s mulled cider kit and DIY some hot drinks in the comfort of your own home. The 8-serving kit comes with all the fixings, including red wine, brandy, cider, maple syrup, orange, and a bag of spices. Don’t worry: Instructions are included.
443 W. Broadway, South Boston, 617-993-8080, caposouthboston.com.
Courtesy
Daiquiris & Daisies
Creative craft cocktails are the name of the game at Daiquiris & Daisies at High Street Place, and the boozy winter beverages are no exception. Take a seat and watch the expert bartenders whip up a hot buttered rum with compound butter made with local, grass-fed butter, demerara sugar, molasses, and a lot of spices—cinnamon, clove, allspice, nutmeg, and green cardamom, to be more specific. For round two, order the Apples on Fire, made with mezcal, ancho reyas, and hot apple cider.
High Street Place, 100 High St., Downtown Boston, highstreetplace.com/merchant/daiquiris-daisies.
Gracenote Coffee
Try thinking of the most apt locale for coffee and booze, and you’ll likely land on High Street Place. (See also: Daiquiris & Daisies, above.) Gracenote Coffee—known for its exceptional espresso—expertly combines caffeine and liquor into two wintry drinks: the Great Northern, crafted with espresso, licor 42, cerasum, and cacao infused averna; and the Green Spot Trail, also with espresso, Green Spot Irish whiskey, spiced pear liquor, maple and steamed oat milk. There’s also the Verte Chaud, with dolin génépy, cacao, panela, and steamed milk—in addition to spiked hot chocolate.
High Street Place, 100 High St., Downtown Boston, highstreetplace.com/merchant/gracenote-coffee.
The Jingle Bar at Snowport. / Photo by Lindsey Ahern
The Holiday Market at Snowport
This year, Seaport’s annual Holiday Market at Snowport features more than 120 vendors, the majority of which are local businesses—as well as food and drinks galore. So while you’re stocking up on holiday presents for friends and family, you can also treat yourself to a little something, too: a festive, spirit-filled drink. Sip on Apres-Ski, Downeast Cider’s signature Snowport blend (served warm, of course) or the Feliz Navidad, a marshmallow and peppermint hot chocolate made with either bourbon or peppermint schapps. Let us not forget the holiday mulled wine, a spiced red wine served with orange and cinnamon sticks, or the Irish Coffee made with Jameson Black Barrel Whiskey, brown sugar, and whipped cream. Last but not least, exclusively served at the Blizzard Bar is the Lumberjack, another warm cider with spiced rum and lemon.
100 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston, bostonseaport.xyz/holidaymarket.
Velvet Goldmine. / Courtesy of the Charles Hotel
Noir Bar at the Charles Hotel
This swanky spot inside Harvard Square’s Charles Hotel is known for its craft cocktails, and it upholds its reputation with the seasonal (and warm!) Velvet Goldmine—featuring a 12-year highland malt, amaro ciociaro, dark rum, and cinnamon. We recommend indulging in the small bites and apps, too, from the duck drumettes with cherry-pomegranate grastique to the warming lobster bisque. Don’t forget a warm gateau au chocolat for dessert.
One Bennett St., Cambridge, 617-864-1200, noir-bar.com.
Courtesy
Publico Street Bistro
When Publico’s après-ski-inspired set up in its courtyard—aptly named “The Lodge at Publico”—gets decked out for the season in mid-December, so does the Southie restaurant’s cocktail menu. While sitting by the fire pits drinking in the vibes of the season, warm your soul with seasonal sippers like the spiced cocoa made with anejo tequila, chocolate rum, hot chocolate, and cayenne pepper. Topped with marshmallows, of course.
11 Dorchester St., South Boston, 617-622-5700, publicoboston.com.
Rooftop at the Envoy
In addition to Rooftop at the Envoy’s sparkling views of the Boston skyline, heated igloos, and private “ice boxes” with fire pits and couches, the Envoy Hotel’s lofty hangout has a handful of hot drinks available for the tasting. If you love a good toddy, the the Toasty Red Toddy with Jameson orange whiskey, allspice dram and cinnamon sticks might be for you, while chocolate lovers can opt for the Ott Chocolate with tequila and chocolate almond milk and chai tea syrup. But the list doesn’t stop there: The Skrewball Cider mixes spices with Skrewball peanut butter whiskey and hot apple cider, and the Prohibition Coffee gussies up some classic caffeine with Bushmills Prohibition Blend Irish whiskey and whipped cream.
The Envoy Hotel Boston, 70 Sleeper St., Seaport District, Boston, theenvoyhotel.com.
Stillwater
Come to Stillwater for the “Sexy Snacks” (their words, not ours—though we can’t say we don’t agree…have you tried the biscuits and butter?), and stay for the warm apple cider enhanced with Woodford Reserve bourbon. At this downtown spot, the only thing better might be the smoked pork mac n’ cheese or the ricotta doughnuts. But who says you can’t have all three?
120 Kingston St., Downtown Boston, 617-936-3079, stillwaterboston.com
Stratus at View Boston, decorated for the 2024 holiday season. / Photo by Derrick Zellmann
Stratus at View Boston
How do you choose from festival vibes (think glittering icicles and lights), a view of Boston from 51 stories up, and a warm cocktail? Trick question—you don’t. At Stratus, View Boston’s winter pop-up bar perched at the top of the Prudential Center, seasonal vibes and stunning views are on display through the end of January, featuring creative cocktails and the Winter Warmer, a spiced mulled wine based on a traditional German recipe. Count us in.
800 Boylston St., Boston, viewboston.com/stratus.
Tip Tap Room
Courtesy
Come for the tips (steak, turkey, chicken, beef tenderloin—they’ve got it all!), stay for the spiked, dessert-like drinks. This year, the Beacon Hill spot is serving up a “Winter Mocha,” which expertly combines house-made vanilla-infused vodka with chocolate, coffee, peppermint whipped cream, and candy cane dust. And yes, you can also get it iced—because this is New England after all.
138 Cambridge St., Boston, 857-350-3344, thetiptaproom.com.
Trina’s Starlite Lounge
If you’re looking for a warming buzz just north of the city, get glowing to Trina’s Starlite Lounge in Somerville. Snack on fried chicken or a chili cheese dog, then wash it all down with a steaming spirited beverage. Set your sights on the fan-favorite Hot Rockin’ Chair: Made with black tea-infused bourbon and ginger cognac, it will warm you up better than ho-hum Earl Grey.
3 Beacon St., Somerville, 617-576-0006, trinastarlitelounge.com.
