Help me find a simple, tasty winter cocktail!

I'm looking for a couple of suggestions of simple, non-summery mixed drinks to try. I love gin and tonics. I'm not a fan of wine or whiskey/bourbon, but I'm willing to try again. In the winter, I usually drink beer, recently IPAs (now that I live in the Pacific Northwest), but I used to prefer brown ales, stouts, and porters. What shall I try when my husband and I go out to a proper bar for drinks tonight? [more inside]
posted by bluedaisy on Jan 5, 2013 - 31 answers