Winter finally has its grip on us, and the dreaded Polar Vortex is on its way. Time to warm up people! We can think of no better way to do so than with a hot toddy. Since Monday, January 11, is National Hot Toddy Day, Denver bars and restaurants are coming to the rescue with delicious hot drinks to keep us warm during these chilly winter months.

Carbon Beverage Café
The folks at Carbon will serve all drinks hot or cold, however you like it, and this time of year, we like it hot. The Bhakti Chai Toddy features the spicy of bhakti chai, tart apple juice, and a shot of Old Forrester Whiskey over espresso. The apple juice is steamed with chai, then poured over the espresso and garnished with a sprinkling of cinnamon and a cinnamon stick. Like all drinks at Carbon, guests can customize the drink to their liking. (1553 Platte St.; 720-428-8565)

Make it at home:
4 oz Bhakti Chai
4 oz. apple juice
1 oz. whiskey
Steam apple juice with chai until hot. Pour over shot of espresso and garnish with powdered cinnamon and a cinnamon stick.

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House
Del Frisco’s is serving up a classic Hot Toddy for the day. It will feature Makers Mark, honey, hot water, and lemon. That healthy mix will not only keep us warm, but is sure to keep the winter illnesses away as well. (8100 E Orchard Rd.; 303-796-0100)

Garner Galleria Theatre Bar 
Taking in a show at the Denver Center? The Angry Ball is served at the Garner Galleria Theatre Bar. The mélange is a mix of warm apple spiced tea and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. It is sure to warm up any theater goer between acts. (Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 1101 13th St.)

The Good Son Taphouse
While better known for a long row of beer taps, The Good Son also has a warm drink called Hot Spiced Win. It’s a toddy made with warmed merlot and spices that include ground nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, and cloves. Garnished with an orange peel, it will appeal to wine lovers and those who just want to ward off the cold. (2550 E Colfax Ave.; 303-355-5445)

The Market 
This restaurant and specialty store in historic Larimer Square also contains a bakery, deli, and an extensive coffee bar. The coffee bar has 13 different $7 Hot Toddies that will keep even the finickiest of drinkers happy. The Snow Bunny has peppermint mocha with Peppermint Schnapps, the Caramel Apple Coffee features whiskey, caramel sauce, apple syrup, and coffee, the Mudslide Latte has espresso, hot milk, and Bailey’s, and the traditional Irish Coffee with Irish whiskey, coffee, sugar, and a dollop of whipped cream. (1445 Larimer St.; 303-534-5140)

Punch Bowl Social 
Guests know the toddies at PBS will pack a punch. The Ponche Ahumado (Poan-chay Ah-oo-Mado) is a South-of-the-Border take on hot toddies by substituting smokey Ilegal Joven Mescal for whiskey. The bar then adds extra honey for balance. (65 Broadway; 303-765-2695)

Make it at home:
1.5 oz. mezcal
0.75 oz. honey
0.25 oz. ginger juice
0.25 oz. lime juice
Fill with hot water and serve.

Tamayo
Along with a selection of fine margaritas, this tequila bar in Larimer Square also serves up the Cappuccino Tamayo. This Mexican toddy is made with Patron “OX Café” coffee liqueur, Tuaca, hot cappuccino, and topped with frothy steamed milk foam and cinnamon for $8. (1400 Larimer St.; 720-946-1433)

ViewHouse
While it may be too cold to sit on the patio, the ViewHouse is keeping things warm with the ViewHouse Hot Toddy for $7. Made with Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, hot water, fresh squeezed lemon, and a spoonful of honey this hot concoction might just keep you warm enough for a game of bags in the courtyard. (Downtown, 2015 Market St.; Centennial, 7101 S Clinton St.)

Photo by The Drink Nation