We Tried Cutwater's Bottled Hot Cocktails And Here Are Our Honest Thoughts
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Nothing says cozy like a cocktail near the fire on a wintry day. Got a warm cocktail, like a hot toddy? Even better. So when Cutwater Spirits, makers of some pretty delicious canned cocktails, launched Cutwater Heaters, a line of high-proof mixers for making hot cocktails, we knew we had to try them out.
There are three flavors, each made with real Cutwater liquor (no mystery alcohol here): Hot Buttered Rum, Vodka Apple Pie, and Whiskey Hot Toddy. The 80 proof concentrate comes in a glass bottle and has 40% ABV. Simply mix 1.5 ounces (a shot) of the mixer with hot water, and you have a ready-to-drink hot cocktail that should taste just like one you'd order at a bar.
I was skeptical. I’m not the biggest fan of canned cocktails, so that was already one strike. But I was intrigued by the premise of an easy-to-make hot cocktail, which I haven’t seen in the ready-to-drink cocktail space.
I poured hot water over 1.5 ounces of each high-proof mixer. Following these measurements, each bottle can make eight cocktails, although you can play around with the ratios based on preference. Here are my thoughts on each flavor:
Hot Buttered Rum
The Hot Buttered Rum was everything I thought it would be—buttery with notes of cinnamon and vanilla—but it did have just a touch of an artificial taste to it.
Vodka Apple Pie
I was most surprised by the Vodka Apple Pie, which I thought would taste the most artificial and sweet. It smelled just like a caramel apple and tasted just like one of those Tootsie Roll Caramel Apple Pops, but with a hint of warm spices.
Whiskey Hot Toddy
The Whiskey Hot Toddy was surprisingly my least favorite. Maybe that’s because it’s the only one that’s a traditional cocktail, so I had high expectations. It was lemony and bright, featuring Cutwater’s Bourbon. It wasn’t a bad drink, just not as unique as the others. Then again, a hot toddy is pretty basic flavor-wise.
The Verdict
All in all, for being a canned cocktail skeptic, I was surprised by how flavorful the mixers were. They were made to be bar-quality, which for the most part, I think they live up to, considering most hot cocktails are pretty simple. They’re not what you’d get at a fancy cocktail bar, but they are pretty similar to the hot toddy I’ve ordered at a neighborhood bar to soothe my winter cold—which hasn’t always been the most delicious thing I’ve tasted, but it gets the job done while being pretty tasty.
While I wouldn’t necessarily sip on these regularly, I would on a chilly day, especially when I don’t feel like rounding up all of the ingredients to mix my own hot cocktail. I would also bring a bottle or two to a holiday party or Friendsgiving, where they’re easy enough to mix, but are more fun than a typical bottle of wine or six-pack. If you're a hot cocktail fan, the Cutwater Heaters are a must.
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