Tights, leggings, jeans, tank top, sweater, hoodie, jacket, scarf, hat, gloves, wool socks, and boots. This is the list of clothing items that I felt was necessary for me to wander outdoors this morning. The point I wish to make is that it is cold. Some of us may have been lucky enough to escape to warmer places during this break, but soon we will all be back in the windy, freezing lanes of Manhattan. Luckily, even the cold has its advantages. For example, many experts say that a great way to warm up is to take off all items of clothing and share body heat with someone else. For many, however, that solution is not particularly likely, which leads to my much simpler, much more plausible remedy—a hot drink infused with spices and a dash of alcohol.  

 

Irish Coffee

Coffee is incredible. So why not make it even better with some whiskey and cream?

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz. whiskey

1 tsp. brown sugar

6 oz. hot coffee

whipped cream

Instructions:
Combine whiskey, sugar and coffee in a mug, and stir until dissolved. Float whipped cream on top. Do not mix.  

Hot Chocolate Made Better

This is simple and quick. Make the typical, out of the packet hot chocolate using water. Fill mug about ¾ of the way up. Instead of filling the rest with milk, use Bailey’s. Voila, Swiss Miss hot chocolate actually tastes good!

 

Mulled Wine

While many call this the “perfect après ski drink,” they also fail to mention the trouble it can cause if you make it an “avant ski drink.” My words of caution: don’t drink and ski.

Ingredients:

one bottle red wine

4 oz. water

2 oz. sugar

one stick of cinnamon

anis

three cloves

1 tbsp. lemon peel

1 tbsp. orange peel

Instructions:
Boil the sugar and spices in water, leaving them to soak for half an hour. Then, strain the water and mix with wine. Heat, but don’t boil. Float lemon and orange peels on top. Add cinnamon stick for effect.

 

Grog

This drink, which essentially combines rum with water, was originally created in an effort to prevent sailors from getting too crazy on board. Now Columbia students can use it for relaxation in moderation.

1 shot rum

1 teaspoon brown sugar

Squeeze of lime juice     

Cinnamon stick

Slice of orange

Boiling water Mix the rum, sugar, and lime juice. Add enough boiling water to fill mug or glass. Garnish with orange and cinnamon stick.