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4 cocktail cures for the common cold

By Clayton Sealey
KATHI PURVIS WILL WRITE CAPTIONS FOR THESE. Food centerpiece for Charlotte and Raleigh: Winter drinks you need to know. We'll probably need two shots, a large one with a punch in a punch bowl and a smaller one with a single drink. This runs 10/29, so we want it to have a fall entertaining feel without looking too much like a Halloween party. So: Lots of orange, dark red and maybe even black, but no fake spiders or blood. Purvis will make the drinks and I'll have props. We'll definitely have a punch, a cranberry shrub and fizz, a mulled wine and a toddy.
KATHI PURVIS WILL WRITE CAPTIONS FOR THESE. Food centerpiece for Charlotte and Raleigh: Winter drinks you need to know. We'll probably need two shots, a large one with a punch in a punch bowl and a smaller one with a single drink. This runs 10/29, so we want it to have a fall entertaining feel without looking too much like a Halloween party. So: Lots of orange, dark red and maybe even black, but no fake spiders or blood. Purvis will make the drinks and I'll have props. We'll definitely have a punch, a cranberry shrub and fizz, a mulled wine and a toddy. Diedra Laird dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Winter is coming, and while some people associate the change in weather with skiing or family time while building a snowman, others are reminded that, at any moment, the common cold could strike a blow to their immune systems.

To this date, science has yet to come up with a proven cure for the cold, only remedies that dull the symptoms. Throughout history people have used distilled spirits not just recreationally, but medicinally. In fact, during Prohibition, the only legal way to procure alcohol was through a prescription from your doctor. Gin and tonic was used as an anti-malarial, whiskey and gin helped sore throats, and Campari soothed gastric distress.

So in lieu of drugstore remedies, here are four cocktails—some full of spice, some full of warmth—packing a punch that will make your struggle easier.

Mulled Negroni

Traditionally a classic Negroni contains three ingredients used equally: sweet vermouth, gin and Campari. This recipe incorporates some sweet and some extra spice, and once heated up, it provides a delightful beverage that settles your stomach, soothes your sore throat and eases coughs without the medicinal flavor.



A photo posted by designmynight (@designmynight) on Nov 10, 2016 at 12:58am PST



Preparation

On the stovetop combine 1-cup sugar and 1-cup water and stir to combine. Once the sugar is fully dissolved mix in 1 tablespoon Fresh Grated Ginger and 1 teaspoon fresh grated orange peel. Once cooled, strain and then combine the following ingredients separately.

  • 5 oz. gin
  • 5 oz. Campari
  • 5 oz. sweet vermouth
  • Squeeze of orange
  • 1 tiny pinch of cayenne
  • Tellicherry Black Peppercorns
  • Pinch of mace
  • 1 cinnamon stick

Heat all ingredients on the stovetop or the microwave, adding the simple syrup to your desired sweetness, with a twist of an orange and a cinnamon stick.

Hibiscus Hot Toddy

“Hot Toddy’s” get their name from an Irish Physician Robert Bentely Todd who prescribed a similar hot beverage for his patients to soothe symptoms of various illnesses. For nearly 170 years, people have been drinking “Hot Toddy’s” to help them get through cold season.

This version incorporates Mint and Hibiscus, two herbs that have been known for their medicinal uses. Hibiscus is known to fight respiratory ailments and mint is known to help clear up chest congestion.

Prepare your own Hot Toddy by steeping a batch of your favorite black tea (I like for my black-tea flavor to be as bold as possible).

At the same time incorporate 8 tablespoons honey with 2 tablespoons of water and heat until combined. Once combined, add in dried hibiscus leaves and let steep, strain and reserve.

Preparation

In a teacup combine the following:

  • 10 fresh mint leaves
  • ¾ cup of reserved black tea
  • 3 bourbon
  • 1/2 lemon juice from 1 lemon
  • 1 honey hibiscus syrup
  • Lemon slice for garnish

Stir until combined and enjoy in your favorite teacup.

Glüwein (pronounced “glue-vine”)

KATHI PURVIS WILL WRITE CAPTIONS FOR THESE. Food centerpiece for Charlotte and Raleigh: Winter drinks you need to know. We'll probably need two shots, a large one with a punch in a punch bowl and a smaller one with a single drink. This runs 10/29, so we want it to have a fall entertaining feel without looking too much like a Halloween party. So: Lots of orange, dark red and maybe even black, but no fake spiders or blood. Purvis will make the drinks and I'll have props. We'll definitely have a punch, a cranberry shrub and fizz, a mulled wine and a toddy.
KATHI PURVIS WILL WRITE CAPTIONS FOR THESE. Food centerpiece for Charlotte and Raleigh: Winter drinks you need to know. We'll probably need two shots, a large one with a punch in a punch bowl and a smaller one with a single drink. This runs 10/29, so we want it to have a fall entertaining feel without looking too much like a Halloween party. So: Lots of orange, dark red and maybe even black, but no fake spiders or blood. Purvis will make the drinks and I'll have props. We'll definitely have a punch, a cranberry shrub and fizz, a mulled wine and a toddy. Diedra Laird dlaird@charlotteobserver.com

Years ago, my friend Eric offered me my first heated cocktail while I was feeling under the weather. It was a mulled wine known by many names – gløgg, mulled wine, vin brulé and my personal favorite, Glüwein.

While the name might change depending on the region, the general concept does not: a mixture of wine, spice and citrus served warm. As it heats and the spices meld, the beverage reduces and takes on a slightly thickened viscosity, which coats and soothes a sore throat.

Preparation

Place the following ingredients into a medium saucepan or crockpot (my preferred method). Heat the mixture until the flavors are developed and the spices fully steeped.

  • Bottle of red wine
  • 1/2 TB cloves
  • 1/2 TB allspice
  • 3 star anise pods
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced
  • Brandy, to taste (also can be substituted with Rum or Grand Marnier)
  • Sugar

Serve Glüwein in your favorite coffee mug and sweeten with sugar to your desired level of sweetness.

Bourbon Hot Chocolate

The very last bourbon hot chocolate at City Bakery

The final beverage admittedly doesn’t contain any of the medicinal ingredients that the others do, but perhaps it provides more of a metaphysical cure.

Sometimes one part chocolate, a dash of nostalgia and a lot of bourbon is all you need to keep the sickness at bay.

Preparation

Mix the following ingredients into a small saucepan. Heat and stir until all is incorporated.

  • 2 TB unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 TB sugar
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ tsp. vanilla extract
  • 5 oz. bourbon or brandy (more if you can handle it)
  • Serve in a coffee mug or cappuccino glass. Top with cinnamon, orange zest, marshmallows or whatever your heart desires.

Sip Charlotte is a weekly email newsletter for beer, wine, and cocktail enthusiasts across the region. Click here to subscribe. Have a story idea? Feedback? Connect with editor Caroline Portillo at cportillo@charlotteobserver.com. Cheers!

This story was originally published December 18, 2016 at 5:29 AM.

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