In the depths of winter, when scarves and gloves can hardly fend off the cold, the best way to warm up is from the inside out.
When the mercury dips, seasonal comfort cocktails start appearing on drink lists around the city. From classics such as hot toddies and Irish coffees to wintry twists on ordinary lattes, the options and experimentation seem limitless.
We sipped seven winter cocktails from city restaurants and bars and judged them on their value and how well they combated the cold. Here are the results.
Woodberry Kitchen
2010 Clipper Park Road, 410-464-8000, woodberry kitchen.com
BEST SIP
With its comforting blend of spices and faint citrusy finish, Woodberry Kitchen's mulled cider, $10, is everything we wanted in a winter drink. Like many of the dishes at this farm-to-table restaurant, the mulled cider is on the pricey side but worth every penny. The bartenders soak cinnamon sticks and lemon in apple cider, then add scotch infused with oranges, cinnamon and cloves. Colored deep amber, the brew comes in a glass mug with a metal handle, served hot but not scorching. Now that's a true winter warmer.
Metropolitan Coffeehouse & Wine Bar
902 S. Charles St., 410-234-0325, metrobalto.com
BEST BARGAIN
Light and frothy, this gingerbread latte gets its name from the type of Hiram Walker Liqueur added by the barista to a regular latte. It's a fun, festive sipper that comes either in a thick coffee mug or a paper cup, depending on the customer's preference. The only downside? The liqueur had a bit of a lingering, artificial aftertaste. But the drink - at a mere $3.25 - was a steal.
Bertha's
734 S. Broadway, 410-327-5795, berthas.com
In short, this is everything a hot buttered rum should be: thick and sweet, with a sugary nose and an irresistibly rich finish. The bartenders at Bertha's roll a lump of butter in sugar, add hot water and a splash of dark rum and serve it in a glass mug, sometimes with a straw, sometimes with a cinnamon stick. The liquor is barely noticeable, which means the warm brew, $5.83, goes down smooth. Dangerously smooth.
Ze Mean Bean Cafe
1739 Fleet St., 410-675-5999, zemeanbean.com
It's no coincidence that Krupnik is Polish for "fire vodka." A shot of this traditional spice-infused liquor burns the throat and warms the belly. The cafe serves it hot, cold or in tea, but in the depths of winter, piping hot is really the only way to go. There are hints of vanilla and cloves, but the bold, stinging vodka is still front and center. At $7, it's a pricey shot. But as a winter warmer, it certainly does the trick. Cheers! Or, as the Poles would say, "Na Zdravi!"
B&O; American Brasserie
2 N. Charles St., 443-692-6172, bandorestaurant.com
The Boxcar Beer is proof that not all winter drinks need to be served hot. A mixture of Troeg's Nut Brown Ale, Scrumpy's Organic Cider and St. Elizabeth's Allspice Dram, the Boxcar's apple notes are reminiscent of fall, while the spices help take the edge off cold, winter nights. It's robust and not too sweet, and it comes in a tall pilsner glass. The only downside? It costs $10 - a bit steep for a drink that wasn't too memorable.
Mama's on the Half Shell
2901 O'Donnell St., 410-276-3160
The staff at Mama's makes the hot toddy ($5.98) with Jack Daniel's whiskey, honey and hot water. A slice of lemon sits on the rim of a regular old mug, the kind you'd find in the average kitchen cabinet. It's simple and straightforward. Though cloves would be a nice touch, they aren't necessary. This hot toddy packs a wallop, and it warmed us right up.
James Joyce Irish Pub & Restaurant
616 President St., 410-727-5107, thejamesjoycepub.com.
Here, the bartender said they prepare their Irish coffee "the way it should be made." He wasn't kidding. The Harbor East pub's take on the classic hot drink is right on point: Powers whiskey, instant coffee, hot water, sugar, stirred briskly and topped with a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The result is a full-bodied beverage with extra zip. At $6.50, it won't break the bank. After finishing one, it's quite tempting to have a second ... or a third.