The Firewater/antifreeze solution just makes you "think" you're warmer... Course that is most people's problem anyway!
I work outside all year long and it gets cold here too. (-50 being common at least for a snap or two during the year) I just wear my regular work boots and a single pair of socks, no special prep at all.
But for work, I keep moving - if I even stopped things would get mighty nippy at best. Miserable nights are when we end up standing around for awhile - glad to get moving to warm up again.
For times I do plan on staying still for extended periods, I wear Sorels and two pair of wool socks. Always been enough for me - good circulation, I guess!