12 Hot Drinks to Try Right Now in Los Angeles

by Matthew Kang@mattatouille Dec 16, 2013, 7:27am PST

View as Map

by Matthew Kang@mattatouille Dec 16, 2013, 7:27am PST

The weather outside is getting frightful. Yes, it's almost in the 80s right now in Los Angeles, but the mercury could easily drop at night into the frigid 40s. That's pretty much the coldest it gets around here, but it never hurts to have a warm, faithful companion to keep you company. And what better than a mug of mulled wine, a hot toddy, or boozy concoction that's on the other spectrum — aromatic and full of spices. Here now, a compilation of 12 Hot Drinks to Try Right Now in Los Angeles.

The Pikey

Copy Link

This Hollywood gastropub (in the British sense of the word) makes a Hot Spiced Cider with a cinnamon stick, as well as the Tom and Jerry, a classic holiday cocktail from Minnesota made with eggs, sugar, butter, allspice, cinnamon close, bourbon, spiced rum, and grated nutmeg for the ultimate spicy, hot cocktail.

7617 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

(323) 850-5400

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Tortilla Republic

Copy Link

This Mexican eatery in West Hollywood has a drink called the Fancy Hot Chihuahua made with cha cha cha mezcal, chipotle hot chocolate, and a garnish of whip cream for a boozy mexican hot chocolate. Also, the pear hot scotch, made with 2 ounces of Glenlivet 18, housemade cinnamon cider, and a dollop of whip cream on top.

Open in Google Maps

616 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

(310) 657-9888

Visit Website

ink.

Copy Link

Bartender Gabriella Mlynarcyzk makes a super avant garde version of the hot toddy with scotch gellatin of Lagavullin and spices, which are then placed into a mug, then dissolved with hot water and poured over hot tea. It's finally garnished with lemon peel, cloves, and anise.

8360 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069

(323) 651-5866

Visit Website

Also featured in:

APRES at W Los Angeles - Westwood

Copy Link

This temporary ski resort-type pop-up (Until January 5) at The W Hotel in Westwood is making some hot drinks at the pool side Airstream. One is a hot apple pie with apple cider, Tuaca, cinnamon sugar, cinnamon toast, and cinnamon whiskey (lots of spice there. It's served like a boozy spiced cinnamon latte.

Open in Google Maps

930 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024

(310) 208-8765

Visit Website

FIG Santa Monica

Copy Link

Of course, the hot drink at FIG is going to use fig, and the Hot Figgy is no exception. Starting with brandy and sherry, as well as house-made falernum, it's then flavored with lemon juice, peychaud's bitter, egg white, and hot water for an aromatic, boozy punch to go with the seasonal fare by chef Ray Garcia.

101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

(310) 576-7777

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Seven Grand

Copy Link

This whiskey lounge in Downtown makes a pretty ideal version of the Hot Toddy, starting with two muddle lemon wedges and some honey. Then bourbon, hot water, shaved nutmeg, and lemon peel for something to relax with late into the night.

515 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

(213) 614-0737

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Lucques

Copy Link

Bartender Christiaan Rollich has a special drink going onto the menu called the Gluhwein, a sort of mulled wine made with brandy, orange juice, a slew of spices, honey, and vanilla pod. Think of it as a much better, adult version of a winter sangria.

8474 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069

(323) 655-6277

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Short Order

Copy Link

A nice hot drink at this burger purveyor called The In-cider would do a great job of starting a meal, with butter-washed rye, housemade hot apple cider, and honey to go with some cinnamon and nutmeg for extra spice. Think of it as a cross between hot cider and hot buttered rye.

6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036

(323) 761-7970

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Little Dom's

Copy Link

Mulled wine gets an Italian twist at this Italian-American eatery in Los Feliz. This recipe reduces the sugar and focuses on citrus, spice, and wine, using fresh orange zest and star anise. Enjoy with a plate of spaghetti and meatballs.

2128 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

(323) 661-0055

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Circa

Copy Link

The Mexican't Buy Me Love, also known as an adult horchata, can be made both hot and cold, starting with anejo tequila and mezcal, then mixed with house-made horchata, which is a cinnamon rice drink typically drunk at taco trucks around town.

903 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

(310) 374-4422

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Crossroads

Copy Link

Bartender Jeremy Lake makes something that vegans have always wanted, but couldn't get until now: Hot Buttered Rum. This vegan version is made with vegan salted butter and raw cane syrup, then clove, nutmet, cinnamon, a dram of Jamaican rum, Smith & Cross, and hot hard cider served in a mug.

Open in Google Maps

8284 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Trattoria Neapolis

Copy Link

For something warm, soothing, and boozy in Pasadena, look no further than Santa's Little Helper, which starts with Appleton Estate rum, brown sugar, butter, nutmeg and cardamom, along with cinnamon cloves, and vanilla for a spiceful beverage on cold winter nights.