As the temperature continues to drop in the Merrimack Valley, folks are looking for ways to stay warm. ’Tis the season for dusting off our sweaters, donning fashionable scarves, and pulling those comfy woolen mittens from the back of the closet. For our money, the best defense against the cold is mounting a strong offense in liquid form, imbibing hot cocktails that’ll warm up even the frostiest New Englander. 

We’ve scoured restaurants in the Merrimack Valley, sampling every pumpkin sugar rim (in the name of research, of course), and found incredible drinks designed to keep your insides cozy. And, as a boozy bonus, we’ve included full recipes for each of these craft creations so you can take the DIY approach and build a fire in your belly, cinnamon stick by cinnamon stick, from the comfort of your own home.   

 

Located at Four Oaks Country Club in Dracut, Grazie is a “Boston-quality restaurant with a great local vibe right in the Merrimack Valley, where everyone knows everyone,” says Katy Coughlin. Having spent the last two years moving up the ranks from hostess to bartender, she’s become adept at mixing drinks and enjoys cultivating an experience through her concoctions. The changing seasons deliver an opportunity to craft seasonal cocktails that “give you that cozy feeling,” she says, providing patrons with another reason to relax comfortably on Grazie’s popular outdoor patio, complete with heat towers. 

MANDORLA AL CHOCOLATEO CALDO

6 ounces dark chocolate cocoa
1 ounce Tuaca liqueur
1 ounce Disaronno amaretto

Garnish with homemade whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings.

Katy Coughlin
Bartender, Grazie Italian Restaurant
Dracut, Mass.
(978) 455-0054
Grazie.restaurant