Coffee has become as important as sweet tea. And in the land of skinny-this, triple-that, heating up a pot of coffee just seems lackluster. So allow us to present a few options to warm your guests from the inside out.

Always start with a quality coffee. In addition to the standard creamers and sugar, try stocking your bar with the following accoutrements:

Whipped cream  •  Chocolate shavings  •  Crushed peppermints  •  Grated cinnamon or sticks  •  Assorted flavor shots such as caramel, hazelnut, amaretto, butter pecan, coconut, or vanilla  •  Chocolate-dipped spoons or flavored coffee stirrers

Coffee with a Kick

Gingerbread Irish Coffee

• 2 oz. Baileys Original Irish Cream
• 4 oz. fresh brewed coffee
• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Suggested garnishes: whipped cream and shaved nutmeg

Just Clause

• 1 oz. Irish Whiskey
• ½ oz. hazelnut liqueur
• ½ oz. chocolate syrup
• 8 oz. fresh brewed coffee

Suggested garnishes: whipped cream and chocolate shavings

Butterscotchy Scotch Scotch

• 6 oz. fresh brewed coffee
• 1 oz. butterscotch schnapps

Suggested garnishes: whipped cream and caramel sauce

All Jacked Up

• 1 oz. Kentucky bourbon
• ½ oz. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey
• 6 oz. fresh brewed coffee

Suggested garnish: Bourbon Whipped Cream*

* Bourbon Whipped Cream:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tablespoon bourbon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Just prior to serving, beat cream with sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add bourbon and vanilla and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.