Hot Cider Bar

If someone shows up with hot cider, nobody complains. Ever. This is the easiest “bring it in a thermos and you’re a hero” drink. Perfect for a BYOB Booze Cruise.

Base recipe (fills one large thermos)

• 1 liter apple cider (cloudy/unfiltered is great)
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 cloves
• 1 star anise (optional)
• 2–3 strips orange peel (not the white bitter part)

How: Simmer gently for 15–20 minutes. Don’t boil it. Strain if you want it clean. Pour into a pre-warmed thermos.

BYOB add-ins (choose one)

• Dark rum: cozy, a little caramel vibe
• Bourbon: warm and classic
• Spiced rum: instant holiday mood

Boat tip: bring paper cups + a little bag of cinnamon sticks. Suddenly you have a “cider bar” without trying too hard. If your group wants the full Charleston view moment, book a Sunset Cruise.

Hot Wine Bar (where it came from & why)

Mulled wine exists because Europe is cold and people are smart. It’s also the easiest way to make “regular red wine” taste like a winter event. Great for private charters when you want the whole boat to feel a little more “occasion.”

Classic mulled wine

• 1 bottle dry red wine
• 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar (start small, add if needed)
• 1 orange, sliced
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 cloves
• Optional: 2 oz brandy

How: Heat on low for ~20 minutes. Never boil. Taste, adjust sweetness, and pour into a thermos.

If you’re coming for a celebration (birthday, bachelorette, “we just needed a weekend”), link your crew here: Bachelorette Party Cruises or Private Boat Tours.

Hot Chocolate (yes, with rum)

Hot chocolate is always right. Nobody regrets it. And yes, it’s also very good with a splash of rum. Works on any tour, but it hits different on a winter Sunset Cruise.

Real hot chocolate (not powder)

• 500 ml milk (or oat milk)
• 100 g dark chocolate (60–70%)
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp vanilla (optional)

How: Warm milk, whisk in cocoa + salt, add chopped chocolate, stir until smooth. Pour into a thermos.

Optional “adult” add-ins

• 1–2 oz dark rum per cup
• or Bailey’s / Irish cream

Quick serving idea we love: Bailey’s (or eggnog) in mini waffle cones, whipped cream on top, grated chocolate. It’s tiny, it’s messy, it’s fun. Don’t wear white.

Butter Beer (easy vs. hardcore)

Harry Potter fans… yes. It’s that. This drink is weird. But in a “maybe this becomes a tradition” way. If you’re doing a themed night, do it on a private charter so your playlist can be fully unhinged.

Easy version (start here)

• Warm dark beer (porter or stout)
• Eggnog (or advocaat)

How: Warm the beer gently (don’t boil). Pour beer into a cup, add eggnog slowly, stir. It’s a “try it before judging” drink.

Hardcore version (more effort)

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2–3 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• Pinch cinnamon + pinch salt
• 60–120 ml heavy cream
• Dark beer to top

How: Melt butter + sugar + spices on low until smooth. Add cream, warm gently. Pour a little of that base into each cup, top with warm dark beer. Stir.

Non-alcoholic (but still a banger)

Don’t skip this section. Some people don’t drink. Some people are pacing themselves. Some people just want something warm that tastes like it has a personality. These work for any tour — public or private — so bookmark this if you’re planning a public cruise.

Pineapple–Hibiscus Drink (the secret one)

This is the pearl of the list. It’s healthy, it’s pretty, and yes — it has a funny side effect: it can improve body scent. Pineapple does pineapple things. Just try it.

Recipe (waste-free)

• Pineapple peels + core (from 1 pineapple)
• 2–3 tbsp dried hibiscus
• 4 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1–2 inches fresh ginger, sliced
• 1.5 liters water
• Optional: honey to taste

How: Rinse the pineapple peel/core. Add everything to a pot, simmer 25–35 minutes. Strain. Sweeten lightly if you want. Pour into a thermos.

Bonus: the pineapple flesh becomes your snack for the boat. Now it’s a drink + snack combo, zero waste. For a full “girls weekend” plan, start here: Bachelorette Party Cruises.

Hot Masala Tea

This one is grounding. If you’re cold and overstimulated and need your nervous system to calm down a bit — this helps.

Masala tea (quick version)

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups milk (or oat milk)
• 2–3 tsp black tea
• Fresh ginger (1 inch)
• 4 cardamom pods (crushed)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cloves
• Honey or sugar to taste

How: Simmer spices + ginger in water 5–7 minutes. Add milk, heat again (don’t boil hard), add tea 2–3 minutes, strain, sweeten. Thermos.

Golden Milk

Oh yes. This one. When I was pregnant, this was my evening thing. Every night. Warm milk + spices, and then a fat date from the freezer. Frozen dates taste like ice cream. It’s its own little happiness.

Golden milk (basic)

• 2 cups milk (dairy or oat)
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ginger (or a few slices fresh)
• Pinch of black pepper (small, but important)
• Honey to taste

How: Warm everything on low 5–8 minutes. Whisk. Strain if you used fresh ginger. Thermos.

Booze Cruise FAQ (Charleston 2026)