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.
Order a classic Tom & Jerry at No. 9 Park on the next snow day. / Photo courtesy of No. 9 Park
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 15, 2022.
Clockwise from bottom left: the Wassail, the Marseille, and Nanna’s Nightcap at Alcove. / Photo courtesy of Alcove
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. For a spiked take on a classic apple cider, try the Wassail with your choice of rum or whiskey. Then there’s Nanna’s Nightcap, a warming-to-the-soul mixture of rooibos tea, dulce de leche, and cognac. And for something chocolatey, the Marseille delivers with chocolate, steamed milk, and French Ricard Pastis de Marseille. To which we say: C’est parfait!
50 Lovejoy Wharf, West End, Boston, 617-248-0050, alcoveboston.com.
Clockwise from bottom left: the French Bandito, Blizzard of ’78, and Ole’ Man Winter at the Bowery Bar. / Photo courtesy of the Bowery Bar
The Bowery Bar
Why book it to the Bowery Bar? To start, the Dorchester restaurant has a menu fully stocked with comfort food, heated yurts for al fresco dining all winter long, and seasonal drinks that include a flurry of hot cocktails. There’s the Blizzard of ’78, for instance, which combines hot chocolate with peanut butter whiskey, as well as the Ole’ Man Winter, a cozy sipper crafted from vanilla vodka, hazelnut liqueur, and coffee. The French Bandito offers something a bit spicier with tequila reposado, Grand Marnier, honey and clove syrup, and cinnamon.
2261 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-698-2261, bowery-bar.com.
Capo’s mulled wine kit. / Photo by Molly Dubrasky
Capo Restaurant
When the cold weather hits, head to this Southie spot for Italian fare and perfectly spiced mulled wine. 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.
Daiquiris & Daisies
Creative craft cocktails are the name of the game at Daiquiris & Daisies at High Street Place, and the newest boozy beverage is 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. It pairs perfectly with comfort food—like a fried chicken sandwich or juicy cheeseburger from High Street Place’s food vendors—if you ask us.
High Street Place, 100 High St., Downtown Boston, highstreetplace.com/merchant/daiquiris-daisies.
An apple-y hot toddy at Gather in the Seaport. / Photo courtesy of Gather
Gather
Hoof it over to Gather in the Seaport for a trio of cocktails ideal for warming up after a post-snowstorm stroll. There’s Betty’s Hot Cocoa, a classic spiked hot cocoa with a twist: peppermint schnapps, Molly’s Irish Cream, and toasty marshmallows on top. (Better yet, $1 from every spiked cocoa sold through the end of February 2023 will be donated to the literacy and education nonprofit 826 Boston.) Then there’s an apple hot toddy with Jim Beam apple bourbon and star anise. But the real star of the show is the Chai Me Latte, featuring hot chai, Molly’s Irish Cream, whipped cream, and cinnamon.
District Hall, 75 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston, 617-982-7220, gatherboston.com.
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—has taken up residence at the Financial District’s new food hall, where it expertly combines caffeine and liquor into one wintry drink: the Irish Cowboy, crafted with Texas Blue Corn Whisky, cold brew concentrate, house-made panela syrup, and a whipped cream topping.
High Street Place, 100 High St., Downtown Boston, highstreetplace.com/merchant/gracenote-coffee.
Grab a specialty Holiday Market stein for your hot cocktail at Snowport. / Photo courtesy of Tuscan Brands
The Holiday Market at Snowport
This year, Seaport’s annual Holiday Market at Snowport, taking place now through December 31, features more than 120 vendors, the majority of which are local businesses—as well as food and drinks from Tuscan Kitchen. 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 the classic Christmas mulled wine with orange and cinnamon, or choose the Feliz Navidad hot chocolate, spiked with tequila and flavored with sea salt caramel and peppermint. They’re even better served in a Holiday Market stein.
100 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston, bostonseaport.xyz/holidaymarket.
Hub Hall
The 18 vendors inside the Hub Hall make decision-making quite difficult—and that includes drinks (available at two bars within the space). A local beer is the easy choice, but this winter we’d instead opt for either a spiked hot chocolate or coffee. The RumChata hot cocoa boasts RumChata, of course, with vanilla vodka and creme de cocoa, while the s’mores hot chocolate opts for toasted pecan whiskey and Kahlúa for its buzz. For another kind of buzz, caramel Irish coffee with butterscotch liqueur and Mexican coffee with chocolate, tequila, and Bailey’s fit the bill.
80 Causeway St., West End, Boston, 617-263-8900, hubhallboston.com.
Lookout Rooftop
In addition to the Lookout Rooftop’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 rhyme, the Feeling Frisky made with Irish whiskey (see?), pinot noir, and citrus might be for you, while chocolate lovers can opt for the Ott Chocolate with tequila and chocolate almond milk and vanilla, topped with coconut whipped cream.
The Envoy Hotel Boston, 70 Sleeper St., Seaport District, Boston, theenvoyhotel.com.
The Hot Toki at Nautilus Pier 4. / Photo by Reagan Byrne
Nautilus Pier 4
Though centered around New England seafood, the Nautilus is an amalgamation of inspirations—specifically Asian street food flavors, with a touch of Spanish and Latin American cuisine. So it’s no surprise that its featured winter drink is, too. Bar manager Zach Sheehan crafts the Hot Toki (a spin on the classic hot toddy) with Suntory Toki whiskey, yuzu citrus juice, and togarashi-infused honey. We can’t think of a better accompaniment to steamed pork buns or Peking-style roasted duck. Just make sure to bring some friends.
300 Pier Four Blvd., Seaport District, Boston, 857-957-0998, thenautilus.com/boston.
No. 9 Park
If it’s not snowing, you’re not going to get a taste of this seasonal classic at Barbara Lynch’s Beacon Hill flagship—those are the rules. But if snow is falling, sidle up to the No. 9 Park bar for the fan-favorite Tom & Jerry, which even has its own designated mugs emblazoned with the cocktail’s name. It’s rummy, it’s eggnog-y, it tastes like the holidays (think nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.) The tradition has been going on for many years; do yourself a favor and join in.
9 Park St., Beacon Hill, Boston, 617-742-9991, no9park.com.
Spiced hot cocoa in kitschy mugs await at the Lodge at Publico. / Photo courtesy of Publico
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.
The Quiet Few
This hopping tavern in Eastie has a bar well-stocked with every spirit, but whiskey is a major focus (the place offers dozens and dozens of varieties). Naturally, its seasonal menu of warm cocktails makes ample use of the stuff: Choose from the deliciously spicy TQF World Famous Hot Toddy; the Geri Halliwell, made with ginger whiskey; and the Love, Slane O’er Me with Irish whiskey, Irish cream, coffee, and whipped cream. Whatever you pick, pair it with the food menu’s piled-high burgers and other hefty comfort fare.
331 Sumner St., East Boston, 617-561-1061, thequietfew.com.
Shore Leave’s Undertow Toddy. / Photo by Randy Schmidt
Shore Leave
Shore Leave doesn’t just decorate for the holidays, it epitomizes the phrase, “Deck the halls.” Think: a holiday pop-up filled with string lights galore, tropical Santas, candy canes, stockings, and Christmas palm trees. But it wouldn’t be a proper party without festive drinks (it is called Sippin’ Santa, after all!), like the Undertow Toddy with cognac, Chartreuse, curaçao, and chocolate hazelnut syrup. Don’t forget the gift that is a brand new sushi menu, too.
11 William E. Mullins Way, South End, Boston, 617-530-1775, shoreleaveboston.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 doughnut holes. But who says you can’t have all three?
120 Kingston St., Downtown Boston, 617-936-3079, stillwaterboston.com
An Irish Coffee at Time Out Market Boston. / Photo by Nicole Melich
Time Out Market Boston
Baseball season might be over, but Fenway’s busy no matter the weather. If you’re in the market for a pre-concert drink and a bite or two—or a place to stay warm while waiting for the doors to open—Time Out Market Boston has over a dozen vendors ripe for the choosing. Its two bars are serving up a duo of warm drinks all winter: Irish coffee with Irish whiskey, cold brew concentrate, and Irish cream, and a Hot ‘n Buttered with Bacardi, butter, honey, brown sugar, and plenty of spices.
401 Park Dr., Fenway, Boston, timeoutmarket.com/boston.
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 and buttermilk waffles 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.
