5 Cozy Tequila Cocktails for Winter Nights

As the temperature dips and the evenings draw in, there's no better way to fend off the chill than with a heartwarming cocktail. At Dano's, we believe tequila is a year-round pleasure, and we've crafted a list of cozy cocktails that'll turn any cold night into a warm celebration. Grab your shaker, your favorite Dano's bottle, and mix up some winter magic!

1. Tequila Toddy

Swap out the whisky in this traditional winter warmer for a smooth shot of Dano's Reposado. The vanilla undertones of our aged tequila blend perfectly with honey and lemon for a soothing sipper that's like a warm blanket on a cold night.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz Dano's Tequila Reposado
  • 1/2 oz Honey syrup. (equal parts honey - 1 part water)
  • 1/4 oz Lemon juice
  • 5 oz Chai/Hibiscus brewed hot tea
  • Pear slice, mint sprig, lemon peel and grated nutmeg, for garnish

Instructions:

  • In a mug, combine hot tea, honey syrup, and lemon juice.
  • Stir until honey is dissolved.
  • Add the Dano's Reposado Tequila and stir.
  • Garnish with pear slice, mint sprig, lemon peel and grated nutmeg

2. Winter Hearth Old Fashioned

When the winter chill sets in, there's nothing quite like the warmth of a hearth to make you feel at home. Our Winter Hearth Old Fashioned captures the spirit of a cozy evening by the fire.

Ingredients for Winter Hearth Old Fashioned:

Ingredients for Cinnamon-infused Agave Syrup:

  • 3 parts light agave nectar.
  • 1 part cinnamon water (create by brewing cinnamon sticks in hot water for 8 minutes at 83°C)

Instructions:

  • Prepare the cinnamon-infused agave syrup by combining the brewed cinnamon water with agave nectar. Let it chill.
  • In a rocks glass, stir together Dano's Tequila Añejo and the cinnamon-infused syrup.
  • Add a few dashes of Pine/Orange Bitters for a zesty, yet woodsy profile.
  • Gently infuse the mix with cedar smoke, invoking the quintessential winter aroma.
  • Garnish with an expressive orange peel, a sweet maraschino cherry, and a cinnamon stick, as a nod to traditional winter spices.

3. Smoky Mountain Hot Chocolate

The velvety, chocolatey embrace of hot cocoa meets the subtle smoke of Dano's Tequila. Our Añejo's hints of caramel and smoke make it the perfect tequila for a grown-up version of hot chocolate.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups Milk
  • 3/4 bar of dark chocolate, broken into chunks
  • 3 Tbsp of your favorite Cocoa Powder
  • 1 Tbsp Sugar
  • 2 oz Dano's Añejo Tequila
  • Whipped cream and chocolate shavings or cinnamon, for garnish

Instructions:

  • Begin by warming the milk in a saucepan,careful not to let it boil.
  • Add the chocolate chunks, cocoa powder and sugar, whisking until everything dissolves.
  • Pour the warmed hot chocolate into your favorite mug, and add the tequila.
  • Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

4. Apple Cider Margarita

Who says margaritas are only for summer? Take the crispness of fresh apple cider and the warm spice of cinnamon to shake up a margarita that's tailor-made for chilly evenings. The rich, oaky notes of Dano's Reposado are the perfect complement to this autumn-inspired twist on a classic.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ozDano's Reposado Tequila
  • 1 oz apple cider
  • 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 oz cinnamon simple syrup
  • Apple slice and cinnamon stick, for garnish

Instructions:

  • Combine Dano's Reposado Tequila, apple cider, lime juice, and cinnamon simple syrup in a shaker with ice.
  • Shake well until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
  • Strain into a glass over ice and garnish with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick.

5.Winter Cosmo

The Winter Cosmo is a seasonal take on the cosmopolitan, offering a delightful blend of tangy cranberry and exotic spices with the crispness of Dano's Blanco Tequila. This cocktail is an elegant companion for any winter evening, with a sophisticated black salt rim that adds a touch of luxury.

Ingredients for Winter Cosmo:

  • 1 3/4 oz Dano's Tequila Blanco
  • 1/4 oz Agave syrup
  • 1/2 oz Cranberry spice syrup
  • 1 oz Lime juice
  • Orange peel slice, for garnish

Ingredients for Cranberry Spice Syrup:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup cranberries
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3 cloves
  • 6 allspice berries

Instructions:

  • Begin with the cranberry spice syrup. Heat water to 80°C and steep the spices until the aroma is fragrant.
  • Add cranberries, crushing them to release the juices. Stir in sugar until dissolved and strain the mixture. Keep the syrup refrigerated.
  • For the cocktail, rim a rocks glass with Tajin salt.
  • In a shaker, combine Dano's Blanco Tequila, agave syrup, cranberry spice syrup, and lime juice with ice.