Après-ski is more than recreation — it’s a ritual. And it’s one that is frequently enjoyed with a delicious drink in hand. If you’re planning a trip to the mountains or just looking to host a chic après-ski-themed party, we’ve got a few classic cocktails, hot and cold, to get you in the mood. (For the record, the actual skiing is totally optional.)
Bulleit Rye Hot Toddy x Lodge Lounging
The beauty of après-ski is that lounging isn’t lazy — it’s all part of the lifestyle.
Break out the Bulleit Rye, whip up a hot toddy and curl up by the fire with the alpine equivalent of a beach read to rest and recover. For the more social creatures among us, multiply the ingredients below to batch, and proceed to sip this hot drink while sharing your wild tales about an afternoon spent shredding the gnar…Even if said shredding technically took place on the bunny slope. Your secret is safe with us.
Ingredients
- 1.75 oz. Bulleit Rye
- 4-5 Cloves
- 1 Lemon Twist
- 0.25 oz. Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp. Demerara or Fine Brown Sugar
- Hot Water
Instructions
- Fill a mug with fresh boiling water and let stand.
- While the mug is warming up, cut a lemon twist and stud it with cloves.
- Discard the water in the mug and add fresh boiling water and Demerara or fine brown sugar, and stir until dissolved.
- Add lemon and clove garnish plus lemon juice and stir.
- Add Bulleit Rye and stir for a final time.
Serves 1
Winter Spiced Negroni x Game Night
The fun doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down. Gather your group and grab some dice, cards and cocktails to make the transition from snow day to game night. This festive twist on a classic negroni features a seasonal infusion of flavors that are sure to be real crowd-pleasers with Tanqueray No. Ten gin. Whether the contest in question is a war of wits, requires your best poker face or leaves it all up to chance, a negroni riff pairs perfectly with a little friendly competition.
Ingredients
- 1 oz. Tanqueray No. Ten Gin
- 0.75 oz. Bitter Aperitif
- 1 oz. Tawny Port
- Orange Zest Garnish
- Grated Nutmeg Garnish
- Star Anise Garnish
Instructions
- Combine gin, bitter aperitif and tawny port in a mixing glass or cocktail shaker.
- Stir briefly and pour into a lowball or rocks glass with ice.
- Garnish with grated nutmeg, orange zest and star anise.
Serves 1
Johnnie Walker Penicillin x Building a Snowman
Put an adult twist on the most whimsical winter activity and whip up a batch of cocktails to sip on while you and your friends work together to build a snowman. If Frosty were to come to life, we bet he’d approve of the Penicillin, which features citrus freshness, just the right amount of sweetness and the star of this particular rock show: a solid pour of Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch whisky.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz. Johnnie Walker Black Label
- 0.5 oz. Ginger Liqueur
- 0.75 oz. Honey Syrup
- 0.75 oz. Lemon Juice
- 2 dashes Aromatic Bitters
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 5-7 seconds to blend and strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a slice of fresh or crystallized ginger.
Serves 1
Mexican Hot Chocolate x Winter Movie Marathon
Spend a well-deserved night in hibernation mode, binging the newest hit show, with a warm mug of spiked hot chocolate in hand. Don Julio Reposado Tequila pairs perfectly with the rich flavors of cocoa, resulting in an indulgently sweet sip — with just the right amount of spice.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz. Don Julio Reposado Tequila
- 8 oz. Oat Milk
- 3 tbsp. Cocoa Powder
- 2 tsp. Chili Powder
- 1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients, except Don Julio Reposado, into a pot and bring to a simmer.
- Stir and strain into a mug.
- Pour Don Julio Reposado into the prepared hot chocolate, stir and serve.
Serves 1
Southwest Bloody Mary x Post-Black-Diamond Brunch
Next up: brunch! Whether the weather outside is frightful or your post-ski legs are simply too sore to go out for waffles, we recommend skipping the cold, the crowds and the chaos to indulge in brunch at home with a mix of sweet and savory dishes (prepared or ordered in – we won’t judge) paired with a homemade, bar-caliber Southwest Bloody Mary that packs a healthy amount of heat and a light touch of tang.
Ingredients
- 1 oz. Ketel One Vodka
- 0.5 oz. Mezcal
- 3 oz. Ketel One Southwest Bloody Mary Base*
- Charred Bell Pepper Garnish
- Jalapeño Slice Garnish
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Roll the ingredients by pouring the liquid and ice back and forth from your shaker to a glass. Continue 2-3 times, and then pour everything into a rocks glass.
- Garnish with a charred bell pepper and jalapeno.
Serves 1
*Ketel One Southwest Bloody Mary Base
Ingredients
- 12 oz. Tomato Juice
- 5 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
- 3 pinches Salt
- 1 tbsp. Horseradish
- 3 pinches Black Pepper
- 1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
- 8 oz. Salsa
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass.
- Stir to combine.
- Pour into a sealable container to store in the refrigerator for future use.
There you have it — a starting point for après-ski imbibing. No matter your level of powder prowess, a quality cocktail and good conversation with friends and family is a ritual that can be enjoyed by everyone all winter long. Cheers!
This article is sponsored by The Bar.
