In all but the luckiest parts of the country, it's winter. And in winter, people get cold, they crank up the heat, and then get dried out and hit with big, ugly, eco-unfriendly utility bills. No good!

Fortunately for our wallets, and the earth, there's plenty of information out there on how to stay warmer, smarter. You can block crawlspace vents and insulate the door to your garage. You can even make rice pouch mitten warmers and go to bed with a hottie. Who doesn't love that idea?

And on top of all that, you can take a page out of vintage bartender books (The Bartenders Guide by Jerry Thomas, cerca 1862, to be precise), and warm yourself from the inside with a Hot Toddy. Hot Toddies are simple, soothing wintertime drinks that can be made from pretty much anything you have laying around your liquor cabinet. Just add a sweetener (sugar or honey), a bit of citrus (lemon or orange), boiling water, and enjoy! Add a warm spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove) if you're feeling sassy.

When your inside is warm, your outside feels warm too. And one of the best internal heaters is a bit o' the old firewater. So invite some friends, turn off the heat for an hour or two, and enjoy your liquid warmth. Just be sure to drink some water while you're at it.

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