Tim Sheehan Melts the Chill of the Season with a Litchfield Toddy

When the days get short and the temperatures get colder, it's nice to nurse a warm drink, so I was happy to find this Litchfield Toddy recipe by Christine Short, a mixologist at Zaragoza Restaurant in New Milford:

• 2.0 oz. Litchfield Distillery Vanilla Bourbon
• .50 oz. Velvet Falurnum
• .50 oz. Ginger Liquor
• .50 oz. Lemon Juice
• Hot Water
• Lemon wheel and cloves

Find the complete instructions here on Litchfield Distillery's website. You can get the Litchfield Distillery Vanilla Bourbon at dozens of area stores, and if you're looking for a holiday gift, Litchfield's has plenty of options, too.

Litchfield Distillery's holiday release this year is a 10.5-Year Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey.

"This bourbon drinks exceptionally smooth, even at a higher 108 proof," according to Litchfield Distillery's website. "The powerful nose is only a hint of the lush caramel and vanilla notes that will follow on the palette. Each sip reveals nuanced flavors of brown spices, toasted oak and butterscotch."

Their online shop has fun specialty items, too, such as bourbon barrel smoking blocks, a 2-inch ice cube mold and stainless steel and leather flasks.

I've long been a fan of Litchfield Distillery and how dedicated they are to quality craftsmanship and our community. Brothers Jack, David and Peter Baker use corn and rye from Lion Rock Farm in Sharon to slowly distill smooth, aromatic bourbon, vodka and gins — on top of ready-to-drink canned spiked lemonade and their signature The Litchfielder (made from their award- winning Straight Bourbon Whiskey, maple syrup and lemon juice).

If you want to celebrate the spirit of hard work this holiday season, there's no better way to do it that with Litchfield Distillery.