Warm Drinks on a Cool Day

COZY UP WITH A TOASTY LIBATION AT THESE LOCAL FAVORITES.

Last run of the day!

The afternoon shadows ominously cover much of the steep, bumpy slope! Most of the skiers and boarders are already in the lodge.

“Straight down!” you tell yourself “No stopping until the bottom!” You take a deep breath of the cool, crisp air. Down you fly, cold wind in your face, trees you pass just a blur as you race toward the bottom. Out of breath, but completely exhilarated from your perfect day on the slopes!

There is no better reward for your day of outdoor winter activity, whatever it may be, than warming the body and soul with a warm cocktail. Whether a warm, mulled wine, spiced cider drink, or other soothing treat, your apres ski day is best topped off with one of the many warm drink options available in the Reno/Tahoe area.

Many of our local establishments have adapted to the desire for warm cocktails with a creative variety of hot drinks, with customized flavors and tastes to meet even the most particular consumer tastes.

A popular stop for a winter drink and fun atmosphere is Lake Tahoe Aleworx, with locations at the “Y” in South Lake Tahoe, and in the casino corridor between Harrahs and MontBleu. Best known for their craft beer, they also provide tasty hot drinks during the chilled winter months. laketahoealeworx.com

“Our Kentucky coco, with Nooku bourbon cream,

Irish cream, hot chocolate, topped with our homemade whipped cream, is one of our favorites,” says Mickayla Segers, manager at Lake Tahoe Aleworx. “Another popular drink is the hot apple pie, with Tahoe Blue Vodka, Tuaca, apple cider and a cinnamon stick.”

Just next door to Lake Tahoe Aleworx at the “Y” is their Tahoe Cocktail Corner, whose warm specialty is the espresso Tahoe style, with Tahoe Blue Vodka, Kahlua, Baileys, Frangelica, a shot of espresso, whipped cream and chocolate shavings. tahoecocktailcorner.com

Fox and Hound, on Tramway Drive near the Nevada Heavenly Lodges serves a beverage called all warm and fuzzy. “It includes Kahlua, Carolans, Grand Marnier, butterscotch and coffee, topped with whipped cream,” reports Matt Grimes of Fox and Hound. foxandhoundtahoe.com

Basecamp Pizza Co., in the Heavenly Village Center, provides gourmet pizza, which can be combined with the warmth of steaming beverage. Six-year veteran bar manager Rob Smith describes the bar’s hot apple Jerry. “We infuse Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, mixed with fresh apples, in conjunction with apple pie moonshine, a cinnamon stick, then topped with orange peel.” basecamppizzaco.com

If you want to enjoy a hot mulled wine in the comfort of your home, room or condo, visit The Cork & More for provisions. Celebrating their fortieth year, this Napa-style market and deli in South Lake has what you need. Vin Glogg, sold by the bottle, is the ultimate winter warmer, combining red wine, port, with blended spices of cinnamon, cardamom and orange peel.

“We also sell mulled wine by the glass,” says Karla Brennan, owner of The Cork & More. “We have a wine club that is very popular and fun for wine lovers." thecorkandmore.com

Just over the mountain from South Shore in quaint Genoa, at Nevada’s Oldest Thirst Parlor, The Genoa Bar, lives the peanut butter and jelly coffee. “We start with Skrewball peanut butter whiskey, add Torani raspberry syrup, butterscotch schnapps, half and half, and hot coffee,” according to manager Lindsey McInnerny. genoabarandsaloon.com

Okay, even if you aren’t racing down Heavenly’s Gunbarrel, you deserve a warm specialty drink after a fun days activity in the snowy High Sierra. If only building a snowman, or throwing a snowball at your spouse. Treat yourself to one of the many varieties of warm, soothing beverages available in the area.