Meet the Whiskey-Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate, a cocktail designed to warm you up and please your palate in the crisp, cold months. This drink is a delicious marriage of classic hot chocolate and peanut butter-flavored whiskey, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings to deliver the perfect form of liquid indulgence.

The concept for this whiskey-infused hot chocolate was crafted by Amanda Hudson, the talented head of the beverage program at New Hampshire's Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa in Bretton Woods. Her creation, which is comforting and laced with a tantalizing hint of booze, quickly became a preferred choice for skiers and snowboarders looking to unwind after an exciting day, during the après-ski hour. Craig Ruff, a recipe tester at Dotdash Meredith Food Studios, view this drink as so much more than a traditional cocktail. "It's almost like a dessert," he says. "A superb nightcap after a long day of skiing."

While this cocktail is beautifully decadential when made with homemade hot chocolate, you can certainly substitute a store-bought mix, if you prefer. Opt for a dark chocolate variety to match the robust flavors from the alcoholic ingredients.

Looking to tweak the recipe to your liking? There are a variety of adaptations to cater to your palate. You can make it without alcohol by whisking in a spoonful of smooth peanut butter into the simmering hot chocolate until it dissolves. If the peanut butter-flavored whiskey does not appeal to you, try using brandy for a simpler taste.

The bedrock of this refined drink is a good-humored classic hot chocolate with an audacious splash of whiskey. Skrewball Whiskey, in particular, provides the flawless balance of peanut butter without overpowering, not to mention the aromas which amplify as the beverage warms. Coupled with the bittersweet hot chocolate, these ingredients yield what can only be described as a delightfully restrained, mildly spirited drink that is undeniably pleasurable.

Here's the recipe:

• Hot Chocolate:
• 1 1/2 cups 60% cacao dark chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 4 cups whole milk
• Cocktail:
• 1/2 cup Hot Chocolate
• 1/2 ounce peanut butter whiskey
• Whipped cream, for garnish
• Chocolate shavings, for garnish

To make the hot chocolate, combine the chocolate chips and sugar in a heatproof bowl. Bring the milk to a simmer over medium heat for around 5 minutes. Pour a ladleful of hot milk over the chocolate and sugar in the bowl, whisking until the chocolate melts smoothly. Pour the chocolate blend into the remaining milk in the saucepan, and simmer while occasionally whisking for about 3 minutes. Finally, remove from heat.

To craft the cocktail, stir together the hot chocolate and peanut butter-flavored whiskey in a glass mug. Crown your drink with whipped cream and chocolate shavings to serve. Enjoy!