Our warmer-than-average autumn has decidedly come to an end and the chill has finally set in. No matter whether you’re looking to go out and relax with something festive and boozy, in need of a little holiday shopping midday pick-me-up or are ready to hibernate and literally Netflix and chill for the rest of the winter, there’s a hot drink in Lancaster for you.
Alcoholic
Hot Buttered Rum: If wintry holidays were characterized as a drink, they’d be a hot buttered rum. Horse Inn’s rendition includes warm spices and Amish roll butter. 540 E. Fulton St., Lancaster, (717) 392-5528
Tom & Jerry: With aged rum, bourbon, vanilla, eggs and spices, this take on a classic cocktail, also from Horse Inn, will warm you right up. 540 E. Fulton St., Lancaster, (717) 392-5528
Irish Coffee: The Pressroom’s version is a classic, but with the added twist including house-made Bailey’s cream. It’s a frequently ordered hit. 26 W. King St., Lancaster, (717) 399-5400
Hot Spiked Cider: Aussie and the Fox offers spiced cider, both spiked and not. 38 W. King St., Lancaster, PA 17603, (717) 826-4040
Hot Toddy: Feeling a little sniffly? Throat starting to hurt? A hot toddy is just the thing to ward off a cold, or at least help you forget you have one for a short while. This particular hot toddy, pictured above, is from The Pressroom. 26 W. King St., Lancaster, (717) 399-5400
Nonalcoholic
Cider and Cream: This drink is so simple you’ll be surprised and disappointed you didn’t think of it first. Buzz offers hot cider with whipped cream on top. Pretty soon you’ll be putting whipped cream on every hot apple cider you drink. 36 W. King St., (717) 559-2899
Butterscotch Latte: At this point we’ve seen just about every seasonal latte flavor combination imaginable, but this butterscotch latte, also from Buzz, isn’t something you’ll see everywhere. It tastes like childhood holidays of years past (anyone else eat endless butterscotch pudding or Werther’s Originals as a kid?), but without the aggressive level of sweetness that often happens in a seasonal coffee drink. 36 W. King St., Lancaster, (717) 559-2899
Nutella Mint Hot Chocolate: Maybe the only thing more delicious than mint hot chocolate from Menno Tea is mint hot chocolate with Nutella in it. 2727 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, (717) 347-5191
Mint Mocha: Pick up your energy level during those long afternoons of holiday shopping with a minty mocha, also from Menno Tea. 2727 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, (717) 347-5191
Make at Home
Red Wine Hot Chocolate: This decadent winter drink has really made its way around the Internet this year, and for good reason. It’s appropriate for all winter months and holidays from Thanksgiving all the way through to Valentine’s Day. Peep the recipe at I’mma Eat That.
Hot Cider with SNAP: This is simple, go-to way to spice up the ubiquitous apple cider. Art in the Age’s SNAP adds the perfect amount of ginger and other spices. Toss in a cinnamon stick and you’ve got a no-effort fancy cold weather treat that will be ready in the two minutes it takes to microwave the cider.
- Photos, top to bottom: Kaboompics, Lisa Yoder, Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
