warming trend

Looks like a cold weekend in store for the Northeast (and even here in LA, though - uh - a little less snow.) How about some cold weather cocktails to stay warm with? Here are a couple options from Liquor.com's "5 Smokin' Cocktails for Cold Weather." The Rusty Compass is a smokier twist on the Rusty Nail, or the Whisky Skin is a version of a classic Hot Toddy, but made with Scotch.

Rusty Compass:
.75 oz Drambuie
.5 oz Cherry Heering
1.5 oz Compass Box The Peat Monster Malt Scotch Whisky
Garnish: Orange twist
Glass: Cocktail
Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir, and strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with an orange twist.

Whisky Skin:
Boiling water
1 tsp Demerara sugar
Lemon peel
2 oz Scotch Whisky (Macallan or Ardbeg)
Glass: Mug or heatproof cup
Rinse a mug or heatproof cup with boiling water to warm it. Add 1 teaspoon Demerara sugar and a swatch of thin-cut lemon peel. Add 1 oz boiling water and stir to dissolve the sugar. Add 2 oz brawny single malt Scotch (Macallan or, if insane or very cold, Ardbeg). Finish by adding 1 oz more of boiling water to bring the heat back up.

Or check out the Bee Sting, Holy Smokes, or the Perfect Pearl Manhattan from Liquor.com here:

5 Smokin' Cocktails for Cold Weather