Because the best part of hitting the slopes is the cocktail after.

Trust the French to make literally anything fancy. Hitting the slopes was nothing but falling on your frozen butt before they gave it a makeover. We’re talking about après-ski, which literally means “after skiing” – the term they coined in the 1950s for post-ski drinks.

Kicking off around the time the slopes begin to close, après-ski makes a more compelling case for a weekend at the snow than the skiing (in our humble opinion, at least). From the French Alps to the peaks of Aspen and beyond, this tradition lives on in many forms. Whether it’s Michelin-starred dinners or all-night raves, snow seekers know that après-ski is half the fun.

But you don’t have to be at the snow to join in. Donning your most glamorous parka and reflective goggles at home while mixing up a delicious winter cocktails is the easiest way to bring the ski season to you. Read on for five of the best après-ski cocktails.

An Aperol Spritz set against a snowy backdrop

1. Aperol Spritz

Okay, you might associate this trendy tipple more with the cobblestone streets of the Amalfi Coast than the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps, but the Aperol Spritz is an enduring après-ski essential nonetheless. This is especially true towards the end of the season when parkas make way for t-shirts and that famous skier’s sunburn (you know, the red ring around the eyes). You probably don’t need a recipe for this one by now, but we have one for you anyway. Aperol? Check. De Bortoli Prosecco? Uh-huh. Let it snow.

2. Hot Toddy

Whether you’ve been hitting the slopes or navigating the treacherous commute to and from work, a warm winter cocktail is precisely the big warm hug you deserve. And there’s nothing warmer than a classic Hot Toddy. This recipe calls for lemon (juice and peel), honey and a good dose of cloves for added spice. And don’t forget the whiskey! We reckon Hogs 3 Kentucky Straight Bourbon is best. Ultra-rich (just like those skiers of the jet set) and aged in charred oak barrels, it’s sure to melt the hearts of even the coldest skiers. My my, American rye.

Mulled wine with a cinnamon quill and orange as garnish

3. Mulled Wine

Picture yourself in a cosy little mountain cabin. The roar of the fire, the warmth of a crochet blanket, the snow-capped pine trees still in the cool winter night. And, of course, the baking spice aromas of a goblet of Mulled Wine. This winter warmer is almost exclusively enjoyed après-ski and for good reason. What better way to reward a day of falling on one’s arse than warm wine in a glass? This recipe comes together in half an hour flat, giving you plenty of time to mull over your finest après-ski outfit. Seppelt’s Infamous The Martyr Shiraz Grenache Mataro provides plenty of fruity fire; Black Bottle Classic Brandy adds an avalanche of depth.

4. Mocha Martini

Après-ski isn’t all wood fires and log cabins. Traditionally speaking, it’s a social event, and there’s no cocktail more ubiquitous to a night on the town than the Espresso Martini. In this case, we’re in favour of going off-piste with a chocolate-spiked Mocha Martini. Lay the foundations with Archie Rose True Cut Vodka and a splash of Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, add some Marie Brizard White Cocoa (more like Marie Blizzard!) and raise your coupe to the classiest cocktail this side of the mountain.

5. Martinez

Before there was the Gin Martini, there was the Martinez. This historic cocktail spawned a litany of modern classics in its wake, but just as snowboarding is to skiing, the Martinez proves that there’s nothing classier than an OG. Greenall’s Dry Gin and Cinzano Rosso Vermouth make room on the ski lift for a splash of Luxardo Maraschino Originale, elevating this cocktail to stratospheric heights. A discerning choice for winter revelry, wherever you may find it.