Winter warmers
Winter. It's a seasonal thing, so you know full well that you don't have to keep freezing ya bum off. That's why they invented winter warmers like these little beauties
1 Guinness
Nothing says slip-out-of-your-gumboots-and-into-a-nice-pint like Guinness does. And now, thanks to the ingenious invention of the widget which causes the same ‘surge and settle' action as you get in a tap Guinness, you can enjoy it at home or on the hoof. Pretty much a meal in itself, it's best drunk by a roaring fire.
Try it The Harp; 900 Princes Hwy, Tempe, 2044. (02 95596300)
Buy it Red Bottle; 219 Mitchell Rd, Alexandria. (02 9516 1344)
RRP $54.40 for 24 cans
2 Glenmorangie 10 yr
With its smooth, cigar smoke and honey qualities it can be drunk neat but also works well in a Hot Toddy (whisky, lemon juice, honey, butter). If you're chilled to the bones, it can be drunk on the side of a dark ale. Not quite so peaty you feel like you're drowning in the Scottish Highlands, but enough to remind you of where it came from.
Try it Club Bar; 7 Hickson Rd, Millers Point 2000. (02 9256 1877
Buy it Vintage Direct
RRP $63 for 750ml
3 Rutherglen muscat
Sticky and sweet, this fortified wine is a perfect accompaniment to dark fruitcake, chocolate and stewed prunes with rice pudding. Treacly and raisiny, it's also perfectly suited to being a dessert in itself.
Try it Alchemy 731 Military Rd Mosman 2088. (02 9968 3731)
Buy it Wine List Australia
RRP $60 for 375ml
4 Wild Turkey American Honey
Smooth, versatile, rich and full-bodied, this bourbon is the only honey-infused one on the market and can be used in any bourbon-based cocktail for something slightly sweeter. It can be drunk slightly warmed with slices of orange or on the rocks.
Try it Kudu Lounge; 225a Victoria St, Darlinghurst (next to the Fire Station) 2010. (02 9331 8900)
Buy it Dan Murphy's
RRP $36 for 750ml
5 Monteith's doppelbock winter ale
This has been brewed specifically for the crueller months of the year. It's made from a combination of five premium malts, with hints of cinnamon and chocolate transforming it into a smooth-yet-buxom malty ale. This style of beer was originally brewed in Bavaria back in the 1600s to provide nourishment during German fasting periods and is nicknamed ‘Liquid Bread'.
Try it ZanziBar; 323 King St,?Newtown 2042. (02 9519 1511)
Buy it Randwick Cellars; 179 Alison Rd, Randwick 2031. (02 9399 5444)
RRP $11.99 for a six-pack
6 Mercury Artisan apple cider
Apple cider the way it's supposed to taste - boozy. Unlike a lot of other alcoholic ciders on the market, this one actually tastes of apples, and lots of 'em. Try it warm for an evening un-winder, or ice-cold. We also tried it at room temperature which was completely drinkable.
Buy it Vintage Cellars (stores around Sydney)
RRP $13.99 a six pack
7 Jacob's Creek Centenary Hill Shiraz 2004
A super-fat vintage with plenty of cherry juice and blackberries, its intense tannins make this the type of wine that needs a bit of time on air before you rip in but it's also a super quaffer and great with lamb and quail. If this wine doesn't get you hot under the collar, nothing will.
Buy it Boccaccio Cellars
RRP $41.99