Drink Up: Northern Illinois’ Top 5 Must-Try Holiday Cocktails

The holiday season isn't just about Santa, Christmas trees, and stockings hung by the chimney with care. It's also about drinking, even for people who rarely consume alcohol throughout the year.

Here in Northern Illinois, there are certain holiday cocktails that you just have to try at least once in your life, and that you should definitely plan on serving your guests if you want to check all the boxes for the area's favorites.

I did some heavy digging to find out what holiday cocktails are on Northern Illinois' must-have list, and I even quizzed coworkers on what they and their families have traditionally served at holiday time. Let's take a look at what drinks make up the Northern Illinois top five.

Here's What AI, Recipe Books, And Multiple Coworkers Say Are The Top 5 Most "Northern Illinois" Holiday Cocktails, Along With How To Make Them

1. Hot Toddy
A true winter classic, the Hot Toddy warms you from the inside out.
Recipe: Combine 1 ½ oz whiskey, 1 tbsp honey, ½ lemon juice in a mug. Fill with hot water, stir, and garnish with a cinnamon stick or lemon slice.

2. Eggnog (with a kick)
Creamy, sweet, and undeniably festive, eggnog gets a little adult lift with rum or bourbon.
Recipe: Whisk together 2 cups milk, 1 cup cream, 3 eggs, ½ cup sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla. Add 2 oz rum or bourbon per serving, top with grated nutmeg. Serve chilled or warm.

3. Mulled Wine
Perfect for filling your home with holiday aromas, mulled wine is the ultimate cozy cocktail.
Recipe: Heat a bottle of red wine with 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 cloves, ½ orange sliced, and 2 tbsp sugar. Simmer 10–15 minutes, strain, and serve warm.

4. Spiked Apple Cider
Nothing says Northern Illinois fall-to-winter like apple cider, and the holiday twist is a splash of bourbon or spiced rum.
Recipe: Heat 2 cups apple cider with 1 cinnamon stick and 2 cloves. Add 1 ½ oz bourbon per mug, stir, and garnish with a thin apple slice.

5. Peppermint White Russian
For a more modern twist, this creamy, minty cocktail doubles as a dessert in a glass.
Recipe: Mix 1 ½ oz vodka, 1 oz coffee liqueur, 1 oz peppermint schnapps. Add 1 oz cream, stir gently, and serve over ice.

There's one other winter/holiday/Christmas drink that we've got to add to the list just to make sure we don't have a bunch of angry Scandinavians showing up with torches and pitchforks:

**Glögg**
This Scandinavian favorite is a spiced, warm wine that’s perfect for cold nights.
Recipe: Heat 1 bottle of red wine with ½ cup sugar, 5 cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, ½ tsp cardamom, ½ cup raisins, and ½ cup almonds. Add ¼ cup brandy per serving, simmer gently, and serve warm.