The 10 best Cloves cocktails

This cocktail is a winter favorite, blending the richness of red wine with a hint of sweetness and a powerful spice kick. The presence of cloves, combined with nutmeg and cinnamon, creates a heartwarming mixture that embodies the essence of the colder months. Enhanced with orange liqueur and honey, the drink gains a complex sweetness that perfectly balances its bold spices. Originating from centuries-old European traditions of spicing and heating wine, this beverage has warmed many a cold night and continues to be a festive staple, evoking memories and comforting flavors.

This cocktail takes a classic approach to warmth and comfort, pairing the soothing properties of whiskey with the aromatic intensity of cloves. The addition of honey softens the blend, while a touch of lemon adds just the right amount of tartness, creating a balanced drink that soothes and satisfies. Originating from Scotland, or so the legend goes, as a remedy for cold weather ailments, its simplicity and effectiveness have made it a beloved choice worldwide. The cloves, in particular, play a crucial role, offering not just a hint of spice but also a subtle depth that enriches the whiskey's natural flavors.

Transforming traditional cider into a celebration of autumn, this cocktail is a bounty of the season's best flavors. The cloves, together with cinnamon and nutmeg, infuse the cider with a spicy warmth, while orange and pomegranate add layers of fruity depth. The addition of a vanilla pod rounds out the drink with a smooth sweetness, making it a complex yet comforting choice. This rich concoction not only highlights the versatility of cloves in pairing with both sweet and tart flavors but also showcases the spice's ability to complement and enhance the natural sweetness of cider.

Merging the comforting warmth of tea with the robust flavors of dark rum and cognac, this nuanced cocktail is a sophisticated take on the traditional toddy. The star of the show, cloves, are steeped alongside the tea, imbuing the drink with their unmistakable warmth and spiciness. This concoction is a celebration of global influences, from the Caribbean rum to the French cognac and the Asian-inspired use of black tea, proving that cloves can indeed bridge worlds through flavor. It's a testament to the spice's adaptability and its power to elevate drinks into something genuinely warming and invigorating.

A holiday season favorite, this cocktail takes inspiration from traditional German Christmas markets. The cloves add a spicy, aromatic quality that is well-complemented by the sweetness of the oranges and the robust flavor of the brandy. This drink is not just a treat for the taste buds but also an experience, conjuring images of festive lights and snowy nights. The use of cloves here is critical, providing a depth and complexity that transforms simple ingredients into a seasonal spectacle. It's a perfect example of how spices can turn ordinary wine into a celebratory delight.

Hailing from the Nordic countries, this spiced wine cocktail is a testament to the enduring appeal of cloves in winter beverages. Alongside cinnamon and cardamom, cloves give this drink a deep, spicy warmth that's perfect for long, dark nights. The addition of sugar helps to balance the spices, while the red wine base makes it a hearty choice. What sets this cocktail apart is the tradition behind it; originally a way to celebrate the winter solstice, it has evolved into a symbol of hospitality and warmth, showcasing the unparalleled ability of cloves to bring people together around a shared, cozy experience.

This cocktail represents a modern twist on spiced drinks, blending traditional flavors with contemporary flair. The effervescence of champagne or prosecco lifts the rich notes of spiced rum and port, while cloves add a hint of aromatic warmth. The drink is a masterclass in balance, proving that cloves can play well with both the robustness of rum and the subtle sweetness of sparkling wine. It's an innovative concoction that demonstrates the spice's versatility, making it an exciting choice for those looking to explore beyond classic clove-infused cocktails.

In this cocktail, cloves are used to imbue a classic South American spirit with a touch of winter warmth, creating an intriguing blend of flavors. The spice subtly enhances the floral and fruity notes of pisco, while the citrus juices add freshness, and the champagne or prosecco introduces a celebratory fizz. This union of ingredients from different corners of the globe illustrates how cloves can seamlessly integrate into various cocktail traditions, elevating them with its distinct, warm spiciness. It's a refreshing yet warmly spiced drink, perfect for any season.

This innovative cocktail takes the traditional elements of mulled wine and reimagines them with beer as the base. The cloves, along with cinnamon and ginger, create a spice layer that complements the maltiness of the lager, while honey adds a balancing sweetness. This drink challenges preconceptions about the role of spices in cocktails, showcasing the versatility of cloves beyond the expected. It's a testament to the creativity of modern mixology and the endless possibilities for reinventing classic flavors.

Bringing a dessert-like quality to the cocktail world, this drink combines the indulgence of vanilla ice cream with the tartness of apple juice, all spiced with a pinch of cloves. The spice plays a crucial role, cutting through the sweetness and adding a layer of complexity that makes the drink more than just a simple sweet treat. It's a celebratory concoction, perfect for special occasions or as a novel dessert option, proving that cloves have a place in a wide array of beverage types, even those that lean towards the sweeter side.