Spice up your life! 3 winter warming cocktails
Brrr! Feeling the seasonal chill? Slip into a thermals and spice up cocktail hour with three delicious drinkies, courtesy of Thameside, guaranteed to warm your cockles.
It’s so easy to reach for your trusty tipple every time, isn’t it? For me that’s G&T for an aperitif, Champagne if it’s payday and any dry white wine for breakfast (JOKE, honest!). All very nice but just a teensy bit predictable, no? I’m making it my mission to spice things up, so I collared Matt Perkins owner of the Windsor-based Thameside Rum Company to whip up three cocktails to warm your cockles this winter. Get your shakers and ice buckets on stand by… we’re going in.
Hot Spiced Rum Punch

This is a real winter warmer and makes a great alternative to mulled wine/cider. The recipe below makes roughly 8 servings but can be scaled up or down accordingly.
Serves 8
- 250ml Thameside Signature Blend rum
- 1 litre good quality cider
- 500ml fiery ginger beer
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 vanilla pod
- 4 strips orange peel
- 2 slices fresh ginger
- 4 cloves
- 1 star anise
Method
- Place all the ingredients in a large saucepan.
- Heat up on a low-medium heat for 10 mins or so until the spices are infused and the punch is piping hot. DO NOT BOIL!
- Serve in mugs or heatproof glasses and enjoy with friends and family around the fire.
Espresso Rumtini

Rum and coffee is a match made in heaven and substituting the vodka for rum elevates your standard espresso martini to something extra special. Great as an aperitif or after dinner drink.
- 50ml Thameside Signature Blend rum
- 35ml espresso coffee
- 25ml coffee liqueur
- 10ml sugar syrup / agave (depending on how sweet you like it)
- Grating of fresh nutmeg (optional)
Method
- Shake all ingredients in a shaker with plenty of ice until ice cold and frothy.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Once settled garnish with 3 coffee beans and a grating of fresh nutmeg (optional)
Thameside & Ginger

This is Thameside’s signature serve and a great alternative to a gin and tonic for those looking for a long refreshing drink which isn’t too sweet but has a touch of subtle spice.
- 50ml Thameside Signature Blend rum
- 150ml good quality ginger ale
- Squeeze of fresh lime
- Dash of Angostura bitters (optional)
Method
- Build in a tall glass filled with ice and garnish with a lime segment.
For more alternative rum cocktails, visit the Thameside Rum.