We've entered the boring part of winter: Christmas is over, school is back in session, snow is no longer an exciting phenomenon but a cold nuisance, and we dread that we have AT LEAST two more months of grey skies ahead of us. But there is a bright side to everything. The cold air is a great excuse to craft delicious cocktails that will keep you warm and cheery. Here are some favorites:

Adult Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Ingredients: 1 packet hot chocolate prepared, peppermint schnapps to taste, whipped cream optional

Directions: Combine and consume.

Enter into a wintery world of chocolate comfort with a hint of The Christmas Spirit. A classic combination to warm up your day.

Mulled Wine

Ingredients: (serves 4-5), 1 bottle red wine, 1/4 cup brandy, one orange sliced, 1/4 cup honey or sugar, 8 whole cloves, two cinnamon sticks, two-star anise

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring it to a simmer (not boil!) over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium-low and let simmer for at least 15 minutes and up to three hours. Strain and serve warm!

A very popular pub drink in Europe, this amazing combination of spices and citrus warms your soul and mind on a wintery day. For best taste, sip in your local pub near a fireplace.

Irish Coffee

Ingredients: Any kind of coffee, Baileys to taste

Directions: Combine and consume.

A classic morning pick-me-up, or afternoon, or evening! Also, can be consumed without coffee for an after dinner treat.

Spiked Hot Cider

Ingredients: Sparkling cider, cinnamon sticks, spiced rum to taste

Directions: Heat cider over stove top at medium heat, add cinnamon sticks (can also add orange peel for a citrus-y flavor) simmer about 20 minutes, remove from heat and add rum, strain and serve!

I am a big fan of cider. Although traditionally an autumn time drink, warm cider with the hint of cinnamon and the spices from the rum makes a perfect warm winter drink.

Champagne Cocktail

Ingredients: 4 oz sparkling wine, 1 sugar cube, Angostura bitters

Directions: Pour champagne into a champagne flute, soak the sugar cube in Angostura biters and drop into champagne. Garnish with a lemon rind.

A perfect, elegant drink for winter get togethers. Perfect for award show season.

Try these out to make the rest of this long winter more bearable, or create your own concoction!