Once the nights turn chilly, a gin and tonic just doesn’t have the same appeal. Gray skies and shorter days call for rich, warming drinks, the kind often made with brandy, whiskey or bourbon, or fortified wines like port. That’s the thinking behind these cocktails, which make for excellent sipping either before or after a meal. If the mood is celebratory, jump start the evening with a sparkling version of the Sidecar, this one emboldened with Cognac and cava. Two traditional after-dinner drinks, port and amaretto, come together in the decadent Sweet Ruby, and the classic hot toddy takes a comforting turn with bourbon, honey, and lemon. Add a roaring fire, and you have the recipe for warming up a wintry night.