Winter is a favorite time of year in our mountain town of Crested Butte, Colorado. People are known to have a “quiver” of skis just so they can get out in all conditions. There are rock skis for early season when the snow is thin, skinny skis for the Nordic trails (which includes skate skis and classic), alpine for the ski resort, AT setups so we can head out into the backcountry (and ski uphill as well as down), and Telemark skis for free-heel traditionalists… The list, believe it or not, goes on.

At Montanya, we feel the same way about cocktails. A sub-zero day with a bluebird sky might call for something hot to warm up. A snowstorm might call for a decadent cocktail with whipped cream. Or, it might be the prefect winter day for a classic. Here we gather some of our favorite rum cocktail recipes for every winter occasion:

Après Ski

There’s no question about this one: we have to recommend the White Room, made creamy with half and half (cream for our friends across the pond) and named for those unforgettable days when the snow flies so thick you can hardly see. A local favorite—the power day and the cocktail!

Your Favorite Holiday

Whether you celebrate Christmas, light the menorah, or celebrate an all together different holiday, we have three suggestions depending on your mood:

• For a bit of whimsy, we like the Sweet Tooth. Salted caramel meets apple pie—this is dessert in a glass.

• For something classic, the Old Fashioned is always a good choice for alcohol-forward cocktail drinkers.

• And if you like to start the celebration early, we recommend the Wake Up Call.

Snow Day

For coffee lovers, try the Café Picante for something with kick and caffeine. For sweetness and spice and everything nice, nothing beats a mug of Wassail.

New Year’s Eve

If you’re looking for something sophisticated to toast in the new year, we love every version of the Ti’ Punch. Traditionally made with an agricole style rum, we substitute our Valentia or Exclusiva for special occasions. You might also like raising a glass with Side Car, a martini style cocktail made sweet with fresh orange and simple syrup to taste.

New Year’s Day

If you haven’t tied one on the night before, we like to start the New Year with something light, refreshing and fitting for a fresh start. We like the Cucumber Templar, made bubbly with soda water and tonic.

Sledding Party or Sleigh Ride

Who says adults can’t enjoy some good old fashioned childlike fun? Cap off your sleigh ride or sledding party with a Hottanya, our version of Hot Buttered Rum. With vanilla ice cream and whipped cream, it’s the adult version of simple, childhood pleasures.

Cold Weather Warmup

This might not be an “occasion” per se, but when you live in the Rocky Mountains, temperatures that plunge below 0° F are a fact of life. Some days, you want to stay inside with a warm beverage and look at the sunshine and snow through a window. That’s when we make up an Elixir, with flavors of lemon, orange, ginger and cinnamon, or the Winter Tea, which transforms that cup of darjeeling into a rum cocktail. Both are like comfort in a cup.

You Might Also Like: