Where we’ll be adventuring off-piste this winter, and what we’ll be sipping to warm up afterwards.While western Europeans undoubtedly developed the fine art of après ski culture, we like to think we’ve perfected it in Park City. Recognizing that zhushing the slopes in-bounds is not everyone’s cup of tea, here’s a roundup of some of our favorite activities beyond our go-to runs at the resorts. Keeping it local, we’ve paired warming libations inspired by those adventures, made even more delectable using Utah ingredients. Consider it something to look forward to after you’ve wrestled out of snow boots and hung up the outerwear.Utah Ice Castles: MidwayFeaturing towering ice formations, dramatic lighting, caverns, tunnels, and ice slides for the über-adventurous, Midway’s Ice Castles installation has become an annual family-friendly favorite for many locals. Since 2011, this Utah experience has expanded both in scale and drama each year—including locations now in Colorado, Minnesota, and New Hampshire.A cup of coffee with lemon and cinnamonHot Buttered Rum Makes one serving1 ½ ounces Sugar House Distillery Gold Rum½ ounce Alpine Distilling Preserve Liqueur1 heaping tablespoon butter batter (recipe below)5-6 ounces very hot waterGarnish: orange zest, grated nutmeg Method: To an 8-ounce mug add rum, liqueur, and butter batter. Fill the mug almost to the rim with hot water and stir gently until the butter is melted and sugar dissolves. Rub the rim of the mug with a swath of orange zest and drop it into the mug. Finish with freshly grated nutmeg. Butter batter Makes about 20 portions½ cup vanilla ice cream, softened½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar½ teaspoon ground cinnamon¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg¼ teaspoon ground ginger¼ teaspoon smoked sea saltA pinch each ground cloves and ground mace Method: Mash all ingredients together in a bowl until combined. Transfer to a pint mason jar or resealable container. Store in the refrigerator until ready for use (up to one month).Inspired by this season’s Ice Castles theme of “Fire and Ice,” mix up a batch of hot buttered rum to share with friends after the adventure. The secret to this crowd-pleasing sipper is preparing in advance a buttery base blended with very good quality vanilla ice cream.Location and details: 2002 Olympic Drive, Midway | icecastles.com/utahGlühwein Makes 10-12 servings2 bottles dry red wine (750 ml each)1 cup sugar (or more to taste)1 cup New World Distillery Casked Apple Brandy4-5 whole allspice berries1 whole nutmeg2 tablespoons whole cloves1 lemon1 orange2-3 cinnamon sticks2 star anise podsGarnish: cinnamon sticks, clove-studded citrus wheels Method: Slice lemon and orange into rounds. Poke cloves into the orange and lemon slices, distributing evenly. Smash the nutmeg with a hammer or mallet; tie up in a bit of doubled-up cheesecloth along with the allspice berries (or use a tea ball). Add all ingredients to a heavy pot over low heat on the stovetop, or to a slow cooker on the lowest setting. Heat until the wine is steaming. Do not boil! Serve in mugs with a cinnamon stick and a clove-studded orange or lemon wheel.Main Street Stroll: Park CityNot every adventure requires a wardrobe change. A stroll up and down Main Street fits the bill of getting in some steps while also taking in the wintery charm of historic Park City along the way. Keep an eye out for seven life-size snow globes—designed by featured local artists—for prime photo ops (this installation runs through Jan. 2). And the last Friday of every month participating galleries open their doors for extended hours from 6 to 9 p.m. for the Park City Art & Music Gallery Stroll, a casual, convivial, celebration of mountain arts and culture (read more here).This kind of excursion reminds us of exploring the winter markets of Germany and Austria, where no visit is complete without stopping at one (or more) glühwein stands to imbibe fragrant spiced wine.Location and details:Main Street, Old Town Park City | parkcitygalleryassociation.com/gallery-strolls/Schümli-Pflümli Makes one serving1 teaspoon instant coffee1 ½ ounces Hive Winery Aged Plum Brandy (slivovitz or plum schnapps)1 teaspoon sugar5-6 ounces very hot waterGarnish: whipped cream, chocolate shavings Method: Add all ingredients to a stemmed coffee glass or mug, stir to combine. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing: Soldier HollowEven if you’re not an Olympic-level biathlete, there’s plenty to do at the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center (venue for 2002 and 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympic nordic events). Cross-country skiers and snowshoers of all ability levels can enjoy professionally groomed terrain, and the center is your one-stop-shop for equipment rentals, lessons, and more.Riverhorse on Main pastry chef Shirley Butler’s favorite après-all-things-snowy beverage hails from Switzerland, and it’s as much fun to drink as it is to pronounce: Schümli-Pflümli (SHOOM-ly FLOOM-ly). Her Swiss friend Christoph Baumann graciously shared his recipe, which we’ve adapted using local plum brandy.Location and details: 2002 Soldier Hollow Lane, Midway | utaholympiclegacy.org/location/soldier-hollowPerfected Peppermint Patty Makes one serving4 tablespoons Ritual Chocolate 75% cacao Peru drinking chocolate1 ¼ cups milk (or milk alternative)1 ounce Five Farms Irish cream liqueur1 ounce Waterpocket Distillery Minthe liqueurGarnish: marshmallows Method: Combine milk and drinking chocolate in a small saucepan and bring to a low simmer. Whisk vigorously until combined and frothy. Remove from heat and add the liqueurs. Pour into a mug and top with a fancy marshmallow or two.Tubing: Woodward Park CityIf you’re inclined to work with gravity instead of against it, tubing may be just your speed. With Woodward Park City’s seven lanes of tubing, you can choose your preferred level of steep terrain, and conveyor access up the hill is made easy with two sets of magic carpets. Lighted lanes keep the action going after sundown.Utahns are known for their love of sweet treats of all sorts, and many spots—including The Grind Café at Woodward—have their own delicious versions of traditional or trendy hot cocoa. Fortunately, we’ve also got access to amazing local craft chocolate-makers and spirits artisans to take a standard mug of cocoa to the next level.Location and details: 3863 Kilby Road, Park City | woodwardparkcity.comSee more in the 2024/25 Winter Adventure Guide magazine.The post Beverage Recipes: Après Adventure appeared first on Park Record.