I love Alaska winters: It's the time of year where every morning you wake up and grumble that you have to start your car, then do it again when you leave work from a frigid parking lot, vowing to buy a remote start next year.

In an attempt to stimulate the festive atmosphere in Anchorage during arguably a most difficult time to party, I've come up with local, personal and habitual suggestions to get the fire back into your step -- or at least get your core body temperature back up to normal levels. I dedicate this column to my sister so I will now have a reply ready when she next says, "I don't want to go out, it's freezing and I'm already in my footie pajamas." Ha!

First, some local suggestions: If you're downtown and really cold, the best place to go is Orso (737 W. Fifth Ave., 222-3232). True, the drinks are lovely -- especially the Kashmir Cocktail ($7.50), which reminds me of sweet, scorching desert air -- but the main draw is the heated toilet seats in the restrooms. I don't care if you have to actually use the toilet; they're free, and they are glorious. Of course, I suggest purchasing a drink in the bar while you're there leaching heat through your long johns.

For other cocktail options with a fiery kick, try Simon and Seafort's (420 L St., 274-3502) Hot and Dirty martini ($10) with Ketel One vodka and a jalapeno, olive and pepperoni garnish. Or go for a traditional Irish Coffee ($5.50) at Reilly's (317 Fireweed Lane, 274-6132), where piping hot coffee, spoonfuls of sugar, gold label Powers whiskey and freshly whipped cream on top make for a sinfully heady (and heated) experience.

If you're not in the mood to spike your winter warmer, try spicy hot chocolate from Modern Dwellers (751 E. 36th Ave., 677-9985). Imagine thick drinking chocolate infused with three different chiles, which you sip in a small, potent version ($4.25) or mix with steamed milk for a decadent mocha ($8-$16).

Whatever you decide to do, be safe, be warm and be optimistic. We've made it past winter solstice, and it's only getting sunnier from here.

And don't forget: According to nutritionist Elizabeth Gibaud (from "The Scotsman"), ingesting oil and fat keeps your body warm during cold weather. So have that side of potato chips or extra serving of fries, Anchorage, on me.

• Find nightlife columnist Jessica Bowman at adn.com/contact/jbowman or visit Play's Lush Life blog at play.adn.com/lushlife.