Much of the North, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast are digging out from under the latest winter storm, but if there's one thing that can put a smile on a sidewalk shoveler's wind-chapped face, it's a mug full of hot, spiked coffee, prepared by someone with a big heart. Some of our best boozy coffee recipes for all you winter soldiers out there:
Hot Chocolate with Espresso, Lemon, and Anise: Two types of chocolate, plus a kick of Sambuca and espresso, almost makes driveway-snow-shoveling seem like a party. Almost.
Hot Orange Mocha with Grand Marnier Whipped Cream: This pick-me-up isn't overly boozy, but still feels festive thanks to the citrus liqueur.
Irish Coffee, Basic Edition: You probably have all the ingredients, and it comes together as quick as a pot of hot coffee.
Irish Coffee, Deluxe Edition: Nothing makes up for a long day in the cold like this upgraded hot-drink classic.
Aztec Sluggers: Coffee, hot chocolate, and bourbon add up to the toastiest glug you can put in a mug.
Cafe Brulot: New Orleans may not be known for snow, but this Big Easy drink, combining coffee, brandy, citrus, and spices, is the ultimate apres-shovel warmer.
Hot White Russian: Wrap up in a blanket and pretend you're in the sled with Zhivago and Lara.
Tipsy Cafe au Lait with Chocolate Whipped Cream: This recipe makes four of the creamiest, dreamiest winter warmers you and your fellow miserable, red-nosed, ice-crusted winter-wonderland-haters have ever tasted.
Lights Out: Combining espresso, Southern Comfort, semisweet chocolate, and coffee liqueur--for when you absolutely, positively, have to forget that winter ever happened.