hot drinks

Wassail

This simple, steamy combination—whose name denotes drunken revelry—of oxidized sherry, tart apple cider and spicy cinnamon is about as iconic as they come.

Glogg

If glogg, a mulled and spiced punch, does not immediately conjure Vikings or some later breed of burly, bearded Nordic men, nothing will.

Smoking Bishop

A Dickens-approved roasted clove and orange infused port punch, warmed and mulled with baking spices and further fortified with red wine.

Bergamot Blazer

Seattle bartender Andrew Bohrer's tea-infused take on Jerry Thomas's flaming Blue Blazer.

Hot Toddy

This version of the traditional toddy is a template prime for riffing with a base of any dark spirit, plus hot water, citrus, honey and spices.

Christmas Drinking: In Search of Tom and Jerry

Anne Zimmerman documents one man's quest to recreate a 19th-century rum and brandy-soaked classic, perfect recipe included.

• story: Anne Zimmerman
• photo: Daniel Krieger

Jelani Johnson’s Irish Coffee

Drambuie-flavored cream adds spiced dimension.