The winter season is a time for festivities and holiday get-togethers. It’s also a time when a nice, hot drink is the perfect thing to ward off the chill. Whether you’re entertaining or just relaxing on the couch in front of the fire with a loved one, hot alcoholic beverages are sure to warm everyone up inside while promoting a good time. Here are five hot drinks that you should try this winter.

1. Hot Apple Cider

This traditional winter beverage contains everything you loved about hot apple cider when you were little, but with a grown-up kick. The standard ingredients call for apple cider, bourbon, cloves and cinnamon. However, feel free to add anything else you think would be good, such as orange slices, fresh nutmeg, honey or a twist of lemon.

2. Peppermint Patty

There’s nothing like a cup of hot cocoa to warm the soul on a cold winter’s evening, but why not take it a step further? Try making your hot chocolate as usual and then adding a shot or two of peppermint schnapps or creme de menthe. This delicious, festive drink can double as dessert, making it an ideal finish to a dinner party. If you want to make fancier presentation, consider adding a peppermint stick and a dollop of whipped cream topped with chocolate shavings.

3. Mulled Wine

Mulled wine has long been a popular winter beverage in many parts of Europe. Fortunately, its popularity has spread to many other parts of the world. Best of all, it’s a breeze to make. Just heat one serving of red wine per person, add some sugar and mix in ginger powder, ground cloves and cinnamon. Garnish it with a slice of lemon or orange. In some versions of the recipe, brandy may also be added to create additional flavors.

4. Hot Toddy

The hot toddy is more than just a delicious wintertime alcoholic drink. It also has a long history of medicinal use because of its ingredients. The combination of cinnamon, lemon, honey and whiskey are well known to soothe a sore throat and help you sleep more restfully when you have a cold. For a little extra relief, you can also try adding some peppermint leaves.

5. The Blizzard

Are you looking for something truly decadent to serve at your next get-together? Look no further than The Blizzard. This dessert-like hot drink features whiskey, Irish cream, coffee and hazelnut liqueur garnished with a generous heap of whipped cream. This sweet, succulent beverage is sure to help you create an unforgettable night that will have your guests raving for weeks. Be sure to make plenty, because there’s a good chance that people will want seconds.

A hot, delicious beverage can make all the difference between an ordinary winter evening and an extraordinary one. Even if you don’t have much experience with mixing cocktails, these drinks are simple enough for anyone to make, and you may already have many of the ingredients on hand. They next time you’re having people over or just want to relax by yourself, give one of these recipes a try.