Diageo Thebar Article7 Card (1)
Host Guide

5 après-ski cocktails for this winter

Embrace the après-ski lifestyle with this pairing of winter cocktails and cozy activities.

This content is powered by: VinePairWords: Sam Sumpter
Illustration
Danielle Grinberg
Photography
David Chow/Nick Johnson
Diageo Thebar Article7 Card (1)

Après-ski is more than recreation — it’s a ritual. And it’s one that is frequently enjoyed with a delicious drink in hand. If you’re planning a trip to the mountains or just looking to host a chic après-ski themed party, we’ve got a few classic cocktails, hot and cold, to get you in the mood. (For the record, the actual skiing is totally optional.)

Hot toddy & lodge lounging

The beauty of après-ski is that lounging isn’t lazy — it’s all part of the lifestyle.

Recipe

Bulleit Rye hot toddy

Break out the Bulleit Rye, whip up a hot toddy and curl up by the fire with the alpine equivalent of a beach read to rest and recover. For the more social creatures among us, multiply the ingredients below to batch, and proceed to sip this hot drink while sharing your wild tales about an afternoon spent shredding the gnar… Even if said shredding technically took place on the bunny slope. Your secret is safe with us.

In this recipe:
Engravable
BULLEIT RYE FRONT
95 Rye Whiskey

Bulleit

Powered by ReserveBar
Sidecar Bar Tool Kit
Kessy Beldi

Sidecar 5-Piece Tool Bar Set

Powered by ReserveBar
Diageo Thebar Article7 Internal Hottoddy (1)

Negroni & game night

The fun doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down. Gather your group and grab some dice, cards and cocktails to make the transition from snow day to game night.

Recipe

Winter spiced negroni

This festive twist on a classic negroni features a seasonal infusion of flavors that are sure to be real crowd-pleasers with Tanqueray No. Ten Gin. Whether the contest in question is a war of wits, requires your best poker face or leaves it all up to chance, a negroni riff pairs perfectly with a little friendly competition.

In this recipe:
Tanqueray No. Ten 750Ml Front
Tanqueray

No. TEN Gin

Powered by ReserveBar
Sidecar Bar Tool Kit
Kessy Beldi

Sidecar 5-Piece Tool Bar Set

Powered by ReserveBar
Diageo Thebar Article7 Internal Winterspicednegroni (1)

Penicillin & building a snowman

Put an adult twist on the most whimsical winter activity and whip up a batch of cocktails to sip on while you and your friends work together to build a snowman. 

Recipe

Johnnie Walker penicillin

If Frosty were to come to life, we bet he’d approve of the Penicillin, which features citrus freshness, just the right amount of sweetness and the star of this particular rock show: a solid pour of Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky.

In this recipe:
Engravable
JOHNNIE WALKER BLACK LABEL BOTTLE FRONT
Johnnie Walker

Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky

Powered by ReserveBar
Calderawhiskyglasses
Caldera

Double Old Fashioned Glass, Set of Four

Powered by ReserveBar
Diageo Thebar Article7 Internal Penicillin (1)

Chocolate & movie marathon

Spend a well-deserved night in hibernation mode, binging the newest hit show, with a warm mug of spiked hot chocolate in hand.

Recipe

Mexican hot chocolate

Don Julio Reposado Tequila pairs perfectly with the rich flavors of cocoa, resulting in an indulgently sweet sip – with just the right amount of spice.

In this recipe:
7506064300177 Don Julio Reposado 700Ml Front (1)
Don Julio

Reposado Tequila

Powered by ReserveBar
Tromboneshakerbackgroundremoved
Nick Munro

Trombone Cocktail Shaker

Powered by ReserveBar
Diageo Thebar Article7 Internal Mexicanhotchocolate

Bloody mary & post-black diamond brunch

Next up: brunch! Whether the weather outside is frightful or your post-ski legs are simply too sore to go out for waffles, we recommend skipping the cold, the crowds and the chaos to indulge in brunch at home.

Recipe

Southwest bloody mary

Indulge in a mix of sweet and savory dishes (prepared or ordered in – we won’t judge) paired with a homemade, bar-caliber Southwest Bloody Mary with Ketel One Vodka that packs a healthy amount of heat and a light touch of tang.

In this recipe:
KETEL ONE VODKA 085156515417 FRONT 750ML (1)
Ketel One

Vodka

Powered by ReserveBar
Big Top Highball Collins Glass
NUDE

Big Top High Ball Glass, Set of 4

Powered by ReserveBar
Diageo Thebar Article7 Internal Southwestbloodymary (1)

There you have it – a starting point for après-ski imbibing. No matter your level of powder prowess, a quality cocktail and good conversation with friends and family is a ritual that can be enjoyed by everyone all winter long. Cheers!

You may also like

Ice Mold Prism
W&P

Prism Cocktail Ice Mold

Powered by ReserveBar
Cocktail Recipe

Spicy Jalapeño Manhattan