Toasty-warm drinks come into their own in cold weather, but they can make appealing after-dinner drinks any time of the year. And they hardly have to be based on coffee only. Tea, apple cider, and any number of spirits fill the bill when they share the glass with the right mixers. Take, for example the Tipsy Earl, which is Earl Grey tea flavored with cream sherry. Or Café Fernet, Italy’s traditional combo of coffee and Fernet-Branca.
Glassware is an important consideration when serving hot drinks, of course, since you don’t want a glass to crack when you pour in just-boiled water. In other words, don’t even think of serving any of these drinks in Grandmother’s crystal stemware unless you’ve brought the temperature down to warm. The vessels of choice are an Irish coffee glass or teacup, either of which you might want to steam beforehand (Steaming Glasses).