New York: Warm Up with Winter Drinks

It?s that time of year ? the temperature starts to drop and the buzz of the holidays begin. The sidewalks are even more jam-packed as people rush from store to store picking up gifts for giving, and preparations for holiday dinners and parties. Thankfully, there are more than a few ways to unwind and actually enjoy the season-- one of them being the warm and utterly delicious drink selection throughout the city, both with or without alcohol.

Hot Chocolate with Handmade Marshmallows at City Bakery

The line wraps around the spacious bakery for the city?s best cocoa the second it gets chilly ? but trust me, it?s worth the wait. The hot chocolate is the perfect balance ? rich and chocolatey but without that overwhelming sweetness that keeps some hot chocolates from being drinkable. Adding the large, dense marshmallows that are made in-house is a must.

City Bakery is at 3 West 18^th Street near Fifth Avenue

The Perfect Hot Toddy and More at Fort Defiance

Cozy, welcoming bars like Fort Defiance is the type of place you want to be in the winter, curled up at a table with friends and season-celebratory drinks. Fort Defiance is known for making a must-try Hot Toddy ? a Hot Apple drink spiked with amaretto. Next, try the Kentucky Nightcap, a bourbon milk punch spun with an espresso machine wand. These drinks will warm your bones and set the tone for a perfect cold-weather evening.

Fort Defiance is at 365 Van Brunt Street near Dikeman Street in Red Hook

Hot Buttered Pisco at PDT

You can?t forget Irish coffee when you think of body-warming tipples ? and East Village bar PDT offers up a refreshing take on the tried and true classic. This drink fuses elements like hot buttered rum, Peruvian pisco, and vanilla H?agen-Dazs, among other winter favorites. It seems like the only way to unwind after a day of fighting crowds and searching for the perfect gifts.

PDT is at 113 St. Mark?s Place near First Avenue