Spirits don’t technically have a season. You can drink a vodka highball when the snow is falling and sip a whiskey neat under your beach umbrella if that’s your thing.

But if brown spirits did have a season, it would definitely be now, when the nights are long and the weather is cool. How cinematic is the idea of pouring two fingers of whiskey with the clink of an ice cube in front of a roaring fireplace? That’s practically in the dictionary as the definition of cozy.

If whiskey and bourbon are what first comes to mind when it comes to your sipping spirits, it’s definitely worth it to expand your horizons to aged tequila and rum, which can be equally smooth and intriguing.

We tend to think of spirits in broad categories like rum, whiskey or gin. But sometimes a more useful way to consider them is by color. An unaged white rum arguably has more in common with vodka than its vanilla-and caramel-scented aged counterpart—at least when you’re thinking of cocktails, where the mix of flavors can obscure notes about the base spirit. And bourbon has more in common with aged rum flavorwise than moonshine or white whiskey.

Take the Old Fashioned as a starting point. Yes, the original whiskey version, with a sugar cube, Angostura bitters, and an orange peel is a forever classic. But with an añejo tequila and orange bitters? Or the warm spice in an aged rum? Total game changers. You might even find a new favorite.

This swap works well in a number of other recipes, especially in fruit-forward cocktails such as the Jungle Bird. This neo-tiki stunner blends a base of aged rum and Campari with fresh pineapple and lime juice for a fruity, slightly bitter but not overly sweet drink. But it works equally well with bourbon or aged tequila if that’s what you prefer.

And let’s not forget the Boulevardier. A relative of the Negroni, made with bourbon instead of gin, it’s boozy, sophisticated and bittersweet and, for fans of brown spirits, infinitely riffable. Go ahead, take this recipe and make it yours. Try any brown spirit—aged rum, tequila, or rye—in place of the bourbon and see how you like it. Campari makes a terrific foil for the spice of tequila and sweetness of rum.

BOULEVARDIER

Serves 1

This classic take on the Negroni subs in bourbon for gin.

• 1 1⁄2 ounces bourbon (or other brown spirit)
• 1 ounce Campari
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth, preferably Antica Camparo

Glass: coupe or rocks glass Garnish: orange twist (optional)

Add all ingredients to a mixing tin filled with ice. Stir until chilled, between 10-20 seconds. Strain into a rocks or coupe glass and garnish with an orange twist.

THE JUNGLE BIRD

Serves 1

The fresh modern tiki recipe is a ter- rific option for people who want to try a fruity spin on a brown-spirit drink.

• 1 1⁄2 ounces aged rum
• 3⁄4 ounce Campari
• 1 1⁄2 ounces fresh pineapple juice
• 1⁄2 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1⁄2 ounce simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)
Glass: rocks
Garnish: pineapple or lime wedge

Add all the ingredients to a mixing tin filled with ice. Shake until chilled, around 15-30 seconds, then strain into a rocks glass with ice.

ALL THE BUZZ, ZERO HANGOVER

Holidays can be a tricky time of year for teetotalers. The good news: The world of non-alcoholic spirits is expanding at a rapid clip. Part of the newest generation? Booze-free spirits loaded with active, herbally derived ingredients that might give you a buzz (without the hangover.)

If you’re in the market to experiment or want to have something on-hand for non-drinking guests, here are two picks that you might want to check out:

KIN EUPHORICS

This new brand’s pre-mixed spritz, served up in a can, and herbaceous High Rhode non-alcoholic spirit come packed with adaptogens, such as rhodiola rosea (thought to balance your stress hormones) and nootropics, such as caffeine and tyrosine. The Dream Light takes an opposite tack, with ingredients thought to help you relax, including reishi mushrooms and melatonin.

THREE SPIRIT

This brand out of London, England, packs their booze alternatives with ingredients such as valerian root (thought be relaxing) and guayusa (for energy). The berry-forward Party Starter and bittersweet Mood Booster are meant to elevate your energy, while the Dream Maker functions more as a mellow nightcap