10 Takeout Winter Cocktails to Get Into the Holiday Mood

As the weather gets colder, nothing hits the spot quite like a warm, boozy drink. The best beverages of the season usually take the form of a blended rum concoction, spiked eggnog, hot toddy, or mulled wine simmering on the stove, but there are plenty of twists on classics that work as well. With the holidays looking a lot more mellow during the pandemic, chilling at home may mean a quick visit to a local bar favorite to get some booze to go, and many around town have seasonal options worth checking out. Here are just a few to look out for.

“Die Hard” Tribute at Rob Roy

This Belltown bar is hosting the nationwide holiday pop-up Miracle on 2nd once again this year, with a selection of colorfully-named Yuletide drinks such as the Yippie Ki Yay Mother F****r (with rum, cachaça, and purple yam and coconut orgeat). Sibling bar Navy Strength has the similar Sippin’ Santa pop-up going on as well.

Wide Eyed Wine’s Mulled Wine

Chophouse Row’s bottleshop is partnering with new neighboring wine bar Light Sleeper on a mulled wine special. The blend comes pre-bottled ($30 each) with a mix of mulling spices and other flavors, ready to heat at home, and it also comes with a side of gingerbread cookie dough for the kids (or adults).

Nostalgia ... Kinda from Bad Bishop

The Pioneer Square bar has a few wintry drinks on offer for takeout, but the twist on a hot chocolate, with Aloo chili pepper vodka, rum, Swiss Miss cocoa syrup, Borghetti (an espresso-flavored liqueur), and milk may be the one most suited to fireside sipping. There’s a great take on a hot toddy as well.

Hot Buttered Rum at Teacher’s Lounge’s

Greenwood’s scholastically-inclined lounge ramped up its takeout game this year, adding a whole section for pantry items. Among the selections now are $9 containers of seasonal hot buttered rum (just add water and heat at home), as well as spiked chai cider, which also comes pre-prepared. Add some grilled cheeses or a sloppy joe for the ultimate comfort meal.

Two Types of Eggnog at Baker’s

This understated drinks destination in Sunset Hill features a mix of classic Prohibition-era cocktails, alongside more modern concoctions. For the holidays, there’s somewhat of a blend of the two, with two eggnog options: one called the “Riot” with rum, oloroso sherry, and Camus Vs cognac, as well as a vegan version (the “Revolution”) with two types of brandy, tepache, velvet falernum, and koji rice milk.

Lazy Susan’s Lazy Hottie

The Korean-Mexican gastropub relocated from Interbay to Queen Anne in 2019, serving up specialties such as bulgogi beef-smothered fries and double-fried Korean-style chicken wings. It also has a killer cocktail section, featuring the Lazy Hottie, with bonded rye, ginger, freshly-ground nutmeg, and lemon, served warm.

Ube Eggnog at Hood Famous Cafe & Bar

The International District’s all-day Filipino cafe is known for its excellent ube lattes, but also sings a pretty mean cocktail with the same flavor. For the holiday season, it’s offering a rich purple ube eggnog, although best to call ahead due to limited hours over the weeks spanning Christmas and New Year’s.

Liberty Bar’s Basecamp

There are several winter drinks on the short menu at Capitol Hill’s craft cocktail and sushi bar, including an eggnog with single malt Glenfarclas and butterscotch. But the boozy mountain climber-themed concoction is perhaps most tempting, with rye, amaro, black walnut bitters, and a splash of Laphroaig.

Sol Liquor Lounge’s Famed Aged Eggnog

In what’s become an annual tradition, the Capitol Hill bar is rolling out its hugely popular 30-day-aged nog for takeout through Christmas Day. Orders are going fast and lines are long, so be prepared to wait once each batch is ready — once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Dodd’s Window at Brimmer & Heeltap

Though the popular Ballard spot has a selection of classic seasonal drinks (including eggnog and mulled wine), there are also some more under-the-radar offerings, including an apple cider based elixir, with mezcal, brandy, and triple sec.