With winter solstice right around the corner, it’s optimum time for getting cozy. Fuzzy blankets, front-of-TV cuddles, flickering candles, steaming-hot drinks like this Warm Vanilla Cinnamon Bailey’s Drink!
I mean, when the sun goes down at 4:30 in the evening, what else can you do but cradle a warming winter cocktail and wholeheartedly embrace the season?
Alcohol helps. Just sayin’. (Just kidding. Mostly. It is very warming!)
This warm vanilla cinnamon Bailey’s drink is another throw-together recipe that, with a few tweaks, has become a fast winter favorite. We wanted a warm cocktail; I didn’t want to go to the store. So we made do with what we had in our cupboards. And we adored the outcome.
Vanilla Cinnamon Bailey’s Drink Ingredients
- Milk – dairy or plant-based work! My fave is 2% if using dairy or oat milk.
- Spices – Cinnamon, nutmeg, and star anise. But you can totally just do cinnamon if you prefer!
- Vanilla – Best if you can include the bean but totally fine with extract instead.
- Irish cream (Bailey’s) and bourbon – for the lushy part of the equation – wonderfully warming and just darn tasty.
- Cinnamon and sugar – for the rims. Optional but wonderful!
We love the cinnamon and vanilla in this drink, but thought we’d add some star anise and a sprinkle of nutmeg. That lends a bit of a chai latte air to this Vanilla Cinnamon Bailey’s Warmer.
The rim though. That cinnamon-sugared rim. It’s a keeper. It reminds me of cinnamon toast. Except no bread. Or toaster. Just cinnamon sugary goodness.
We may not be seeing the sun right now, but things like this can definitely still brighten our days (and nights).
More Warming Winter Cocktails
- Gluhwein – hot mulled red wine. YUM.
- Hot Spiced Cider – so good with a splash of rum!
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Orange Mulled Wine – so cozy and perfect for the holidays.
Warm Vanilla Cinnamon Bailey’s Drink
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk (I use 2%, but whole would also be good. I also love full-fat oat milk in these drinks. )
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 5-inch cinnamon stick
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- 2 star anise
- 1 vanilla bean (optional)
- 2/3 cup Bailey's Irish Cream (or another Irish cream liqueur, or Bailey's Vanilla Cinnamon )
- 1/3 cup bourbon (like Maker’s Mark)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the rims:
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- To a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, add the milk, maple syrup, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, and star anise. If using a vanilla bean, split it open and scrape out the seeds. Add the seeds and remainder of vanilla bean to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is hot and steaming. Reduce to low and heat for 5 minutes, being careful not to ever let it come to a full boil. Remove from heat. Place a fine-mesh sieve over a large heat-proof bowl and carefully pour the liquid over the sieve. Discard the solids. Add the liquid back to the saucepan. Stir in the Irish cream, bourbon, and vanilla extract.
- To garnish the mug rims, pour the 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup into a small saucer. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon, then pour it onto another small saucer. Dip the rims of the glasses into the maple syrup, then dip into the cinnamon and sugar mix, pressing to coat evenly. Flip over and fill glasses with the hot cocktail. Serve.
I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a vegetarian home cook, certified plant-based pro, and mom. I’m married to an enthusiastic carnivore, and my mission is to achieve peace in the kitchen – one tasty recipe at a time. These days, with a name like mine, I also try not to ask to speak to the manager.
Can I swap my lukewarm cup of coffee for one of these right now? Maker’s Mark is always in the house because my husband makes his Manhattan’s with it, and that cinnamon spiced rim is genius!
Working on about five hours sleep after a 13.5 hour workday yesterday. I could definitely use one of these to comfort me while I stare at my computer screen 🙂
I can just imagine making these and sitting out in the cool summer night air to watch the stars. Perfection.
Having this after 13.5 hour work day. Can confirm it’s perfection