Drink: Hot rye with spiced butter and cream

Jennifer Sabatino's approach to creating cocktails at Aldine has been deliberate in its attempt to compliment the food cooked by her husband, chef George Sabatino. So there's little wonder she raided his savory pantry for the ultimate nightcap finale to her clever drink pairings for the tasting menu. Listed as "rye: spiced butter: cream," this brooding beauty arrives in a tall stemmed tulip glass, looking something like an Irish coffee. Topped with a cool cloud of rich whipped cream dusted with nutmeg that tickles your nose, it delivers a warm surprise when you tilt it back for a sip. The dark brew below is brown from molasses, not coffee, and washes across the palate with a surprising bouquet of exotic flavors, its deep sweetness shifting to an edgy hit of rye, then the richness of housemade butter infused with an anise whiff of Chinese five spice. Sip and let it linger warmly on this second-floor perch. The winter below awaits.

-Craig LaBan

Hot rye with spiced butter and cream, $13, Aldine, 1901 Chestnut St., 2d floor, 215-454-6529.