Warming up with hot drinks at the Vikings-Seahawks showdown

Yes, it's going to be cold on Sunday, when the Vikings take on the Seahawks at TCF Bank Stadium.

The tough news for ticketholders is that the stadium's rules are strict: Fans cannot enter with "beverages, beverage containers, or liquids (cans, bottles or boxes)," so that rules out a flask or Thermos filled with something designed to minimize the chill. But there's always tailgating, right? At least for the brave.

For those watching the game in the comfort of heated indoor spaces, there's nothing wrong with preparing – and enjoying -- a sympathy hot beverage. Here are a few recipes, some with alcohol, some without.

(Oh, and click here for our favorite classic hot chocolate formula. It's from Kopplin's Coffee in St. Paul. We keep it warm by enlisting our slow cooker. As for drinking spiked hot chocolate, Buzzfeed has all kinds of ideas -- 15, to be exact -- here.)

SPICED HOT CHOCOLATE

Serves 6.

Note: From Epicurious.com. Star anise, a brown, star-shaped seedpod, is sold at Asian markets and some supermarkets.

3/4 c. (packed) dark brown sugar

15 whole cardamom pods, crushed

12 whole cloves

2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half

2 whole star anise (see Note)

3/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. dried crushed red pepper

1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

MULLED CRANBERRY MOCKTAIL

Serves 4.

Note: From Marthastewart.com.

1 quart cranberry juice

1 cinnamon stick

1/2 cup fresh cranberries

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine cranberry juice, cinnamon stick, and cloves and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine cranberries, sugar, ground cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of water and cook, gently stirring, until the cranberries pop and are well coated with the sugar mixture. When cool enough to handle, thread 3 to 4 berries each on 4 decorative toothpicks or skewers. Pour the mulled cranberry juice among 4 mugs and garnish with the cranberry swizzle.

Serves 2.

Note: From Seriouseats.com.

Maldon salt

Half of 1 lemon

1 tbsp. butter, at room temperature

Seeds from 1/2 vanilla bean pod

4 oz. dark rum

8 oz. apple cider

Directions

Scatter Maldon salt on a small plate. Rub the rim of two heatproof glasses or mugs with the lemon half, then dip in salt.

IRISH COFFEE

Serves 1.

Note: Adapted from Liquor.com and bartender/author Dale DeGroff. Find the website's Hot Toddy recipe (complete with video) here.

1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey

1 oz. brown sugar syrup

Freshly whipped (and unsweetened) cream

Directions

To prepare brown sugar syrup: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine brown sugar and water and and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and cook until sugar has dissolved, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Cool to room temperature.

To prepare cocktail: Add whiskey and syrup to a heatproof glass or mug and fill two-thirds full with coffee. Top with an inch of whipped cream and serve.

APPLE BRANDY HOT TODDIES

Note: From Food & Wine magazine and bartender Suzanne Bozarth of Paley's Place in Portland, Ore.

1 1/2 c. water

2 tbsp. plus 2 tsp. honey

1/2 c. freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 cups apple brandy, preferably Calvados

Directions