Mulled wine, warm spiced cider and hot toddies have long been British staples during winter.

Whiskey expert Ross Dennis at Dewars Aberfeldy Distillery explains that the hot toddy comes from Scotland.

"The first mention of what we now think of as a hot toddy comes about in the 1780s. We think the name hot toddy comes from the Todian Well… an ancient water source in Edinburgh," he says.

While the hot toddy remains popular, many cocktail bars now offer their own seasonal winter warmer.

Here are five examples from London's cocktail scene, with tips for the home mixologist:

Bad Santa

Rewind to a '70s Christmas at the kitsch seasonal pop-up "Miracle," transported from New York to the Henrietta hotel in Covent Garden. Surrounded by garish festive cheer, you can enjoy a "Bad Santa" served in a winking Santa mug.

Wassail

For a more sophisticated tipple, head to Manetta, the atmospheric, art decor basement bar at the Fleming hotel in Mayfair. The hotel was established in the 19th century, and the bar became a glamorous hangout for arts and literary figures in the '30s.

Bar manager Pasquale Ferrillo makes an upmarket and extravagant version of wassail, a hot mulled cider drunk at Christmastime in medieval England in hopes of a good harvest the following year.

Warm winter bishop

Soho cocktail bar Swift is serving a mulled wine with a difference this season.

"We thought we'd do a bit more of a richer, more alcohol-full one with bourbon, chestnut, orange and red wine. We added a little bit of chocolate as well," says senior bartender Sam Ameye.

Snowplow espresso

Back in Covent Garden, at Sushisamba's latest outpost, bar manager Daniele Ziaco has created this wintery espresso martini. He starts by combining vodka with a hot double espresso and a dash of sugar, adds a measure of amaretto for a nutty taste, and then adds coconut and pistachio foam. The top is garnished with marshmallows, pistachios and coconut.

Grey Goose brand ambassador Ambre Morin says vodka's versatility makes it ideal for modern takes on the hot cocktail. Her advice for home cocktail makers: Be creative.

Hot buttered rum with fudge

Finally, over in East London at the Queen of Hoxton's rooftop bar, head bartender Chris McGovern agrees it's all about experimentation, but adds, "I'd stick to the spices that a lot of people recognize. So, your festive spices like cinnamon, clove, star anise. But then do experiment with totally new flavors like maybe pineapple, or play around with gins like hot gin and tonics. Things that you can recognize, but then give it a festive twist."

This winter, McGovern has created a new version of his hot buttered rum punch, adding fudge for an even creamier texture. He melts the butter and fudge in a pan with all the spices and an apple juice base, adding the rum at the end before pouring the mix into a tin mug.

McGovern's top tip for home mixologists making hot serves is never rush it.

"You get the most flavor when you let it mull for maybe up to one hour, up to six hours," he says. "I always like to add the alcohol at the end so you get all that flavor and you don't lose anything."