The Snow Honey Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 04/22/21
The Snow Honey - Warm Cognac Milk Cocktail

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The snow honey is a simple and lovely cocktail recipe that spikes warm milk with cognac. It's a soothing mixed drink that is a perfect nightcap and sure to bring a little comfort to a chilly evening.

This recipe is courtesy of Courvoisier Cognac and was designed to feature their VSOP bottle. It's a beautiful brandy that's moderately priced, so you don't have to feel bad about mixing it into drinks. What makes this hot cocktail stand out, though, is the use of clover honey. It adds a unique and subtle embellishment to the rich flavor of cognac and warm milk, creating a pleasant sipper with a hint of sweetness.

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces milk, or half-and-half

  • 1 1/2 ounces cognac

  • 1 teaspoon clover honey

  • Grated nutmeg, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a small saucepan, slowly heat the milk (or half-and-half) over low heat, stirring continually. Do not let it reach a boil; you want to remove it just as it's beginning to steam.

  3. Add the cognac, honey, and milk to a warm mug and stir well.

  4. Garnish with grated nutmeg. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • While heating the milk, pour hot water into your coffee mug so it warms up. Discard it before mixing the drink.
  • If you're going to use a glass, make sure it's made of thick glass that can withstand heat. Irish coffee glasses are designed specifically for this type of drink.
  • You can also warm milk in the microwave: use medium-high power and heat it in 15-second intervals, stirring between each until it just begins to steam.
  • Add a little air to your milk by whisking it instead of stirring with a spoon to create frothy, steamed milk, similar to that used in lattes.
  • Clover honey is a specific variety that has a light floral flavor. Any honey will sweeten the snow honey nicely and you can also use agave nectar if you prefer.

Recipe Variations

  • While any brandy makes a nice snow honey, it's not your only option. Try this drink with your favorite style of whiskey, too.
  • An alternative to honey is to sweeten the snow honey with a honey-flavored liqueur. Drambuie or Bärenjäger are two great options and the extra alcohol will add a nice punch to the drink.
  • You can also accent this recipe with complementary flavors, such as hazelnut from a liqueur like Frangelico or the almond flavor of amaretto. Adding a shot of Benedictine is always a great option because it's a natural pairing for brandy.

How Strong Is a Snow Honey?

The snow honey mixes up to a soothing and pleasant strength. When made with an 80-proof brandy and 4 ounces of milk, it will be just 10 percent ABV (20 proof).

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
190 Calories
3g Fat
13g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 190
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 4%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 10mg 3%
Sodium 58mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 2%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 151mg 12%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 183mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)