Mixologists try to heat up winter sales with new sorts of hot beverages

Eager to put some fire into hot-drink sales, some mixologists are crafting a new breed of libation that stands above the typical hot toddy or Irish coffee. These new-wave warmers are based on upscale coffee blends, loose-leaf teas, gourmet chocolates and other upscale products and spiked with premium or superpremium spirits. In true bar-chef style, they often sport unusual savory or sweet ingredients borrowed from the kitchen as well.

Take the brewed-to-order tea