At Underground Spirits, we’ve long had a soft spot for serving cocktails out of teapots — there’s just something cheeky and charming about it. But what happens when the cocktail inside is actually hot? Is it madness or magic? Yes, we’re talking about hot cocktails — and we’re here to tell you that not only do they work, but they’re sensational.
Why Go Hot?
There’s a certain kind of magic to holding something warm in your hands as you wander through an evening event or a moonlit garden. That sip-to-soul warmth, the rising aroma of spices or citrus — it’s comforting, indulgent, and surprisingly complex.
A favourite? A rich hot chocolate, made all the more indulgent with a shot of Underground Caramel Vodka. It’s the adult upgrade you didn’t know you needed. Creamy, slightly sweet, and just enough heat to keep the chill at bay.
The Golden Rule: Protect the Spirit
If you remember one thing, it’s this: always add your spirit towards or at the end. Spirits don’t love prolonged heat. Letting your beautiful gin or vodka bubble away on the stove for hours is a surefire way to lose both flavour and strength. Think of it more like finishing a dish with high-end olive oil — timing is everything.
Yes, You Can Hot Toddy a Negroni
Look, we know it sounds outrageous. But toddy a Negroni? Absolutely. We’ve tried it — trust us, it works. The vermouth opens up, the bitterness mellows, and with the right citrus peel, it’s downright seductive.
Hot Cocktails Are Just Fancy Tea
When you boil it down (pun intended), hot cocktails are cousins to tea. Heating fruit, herbs, and spices is simply infusion. The heat draws out depth and complexity. So start thinking beyond mulled wine. The possibilities are rich and fragrant
Our Hot Berry Native Gin Sipper
Deep berry flavours, ripe plums, and warming spices meet Underground Native Gin in this luscious winter sip — a bold burst of colour for cold nights.
To make:
- Brew a berry tea (raspberry or strawberry).
- Add a pinch of cinnamon and a small piece of star anise.
- Let it brew for 3 minutes.
- Strain into a warmed mug.
- Add 25ml Underground Ad Crescendum var Infusionem Native Gin.
- Sip slowly and let it linger.
Infused by Nature: Ad Crescendum var Infusionem Native Gin
This is a gin that was born for infusion. Continuing our collaboration with the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Ad Crescendum var Infusionem Native Gin was inspired by native botanical brewing — the artistry of infusion practiced for centuries. Crafted with an expressive blend of botanicals like Johnson’s Grass Tree, Manuka Myrtle, Native Pennyroyal Mint, and Wombat Berry, this gin is a sensorial journey. Designed to echo the rich tradition of botanical tea-making, it’s at home in a hot cup as much as in a classic chilled martini. A uniquely Australian spirit, this gin invites you to explore flavour through warmth, story, and native beauty.
So — teapot, chilled or steaming — sip your spirits in adventurous ways. And if you’ve never tried a hot gin or vodka cocktail… what are you waiting for when the nights turn chilly!