13 Hot Drink Ideas When It’s Chilly Out
If there’s something about cold weather that makes you want to curl up in a warm cocoon and binge-watch your favorite show and sip on your favorite drink, we feel ya. Sometimes though you might get tired of drinking the same thing every day – whether it be a certain type of tea, cider, coffee, etc. Here are a few of our favorite hot drink ideas to add some variety to your life as well as to your taste buds!
1. Coffee
This drink is basically a given because countries all around the world thrive on coffee. Coffee is a common energy-boosting drink because of its main ingredient which many people know is caffeine. Coffee is great both as a hot or cold drink, although ideal as a hot drink during cold seasons. Furthermore, many use coffee machines in homes, offices, and cafés, which means serving hot coffee is more efficient anyway. This has to be one of our most versatile hot drink ideas. Coffee comes in many forms -regular cup o joes, cappuccinos, mochas, espresso, latte, etc. A cup of hot coffee in the form that best suits your taste buds is sure to satisfy, energize and warm you right up on a chilly day!
2. Tea
Tea is like coffee’s sister – it’s similar but also different. Tea comes in many forms as well. Some common tea includes green tea, black tea, raspberry tea, herbal tea, Thai tea, and many many more. While black tea has the main energy-boosting ingredient (caffeine), many other teas have quite the opposite effect which is a calming sensation. In fact, many herbal teas are specifically made to help you unwind and possibly fall asleep faster. Tea is an amazing drink to not only warm you up, but also calm you down after a long day!
3. Eggnog
People typically love this drink or despise it, there is no in-between. If you’ve never tried eggnog it might be time to find out. Eggnog can be drunk as either a cold or hot concoction, although one or the other could dramatically affect your taste bud’s reaction. Nonetheless, eggnog is not only a great hot drink, but it is also healthier than most other sugary hot drinks. Eggnog typically contains eggs, milk, and cream as the base, which contain saturated fats, calcium, magnesium, and essential vitamins. Think of it as a protein shake, except it is warm, flavorful and doesn’t have a chalky whey aftertaste!
4. Hot Buttered Rum
This one is one of our adult (alcoholic) hot drink ideas, although a virgin style can be made by simply not adding the rum and using plain hot water! Hot Buttered Rum is a tasty competitive alternative to hot cocoa. It essentially will have a similar consistency, except the ingredients used result in a very different unique taste! A quick google search can show you exactly how to make it, but it basically contains different sugars, vanilla, nutmeg, ice-cream, and butter (hence the name). Of course, recipes will vary. A cup of hot buttered rum is sure to make you feel all warm inside!
5. Hot Chocolate
Whether you’re watching your favorite movie, blogging or reading a book, hot chocolate is a popular sweet hot drink to keep your taste buds stimulated and your body warm! It is especially common to drink around the holidays. There are a few different kinds of hot chocolates like hot chocolate with water, with milk, with nutella, or with marshmallows. It really depends on your preference. Either way, hot chocolate is sure to comfort you on a cold day!
6. Hot Strawberry Cider
This is a great hot drink if you happen to have some extra strawberries or other fruits laying around or hanging out in the freezer. Hot strawberry cider is made by mixing 8 cups apple cider or water with 10 oz of frozen strawberries or other fruit, fresh strawberry or apple slices, and sugar to taste. Boil liquid, add ingredients and let simmer for a couple minutes before taking off heat. For best results, you might want to strain the fruit left on the bottom. This will result in a yummy hot strawberry cider that can later be served as a cold drink or reheated!
7. Pero Hot Beverage
You might have never heard of this drink, but Pero is a company that produces an instant hot drink. The taste is very similar to coffee, but it actually does not contain any caffeine! It is made of all-natural ingredients which include malted barley, chicory, and rye. This is a hot drink that is such a great alternative to coffee if you happen to need a way to curb your caffeine addiction or just want a coffee-like drink without the crash!
8. Moon Milk
Back when you were a kid, did your parents ever give you warm milk right before bed? Well that’s exactly what this hot drink is except with extra flavoring. Moon milk typically consists of warmed milk mixed with honey or fruit. In fact, it’ll almost feel like you took an Ambien (not that extreme of course) because the combination of the warming sensation with milk’s micro-nutrient tryptophan will have you wanting to drift off in no time! Not to mention, you’ll also get your dose of protein. Also, adding the milk to a frother will give it more texture and make even more enjoyable! Moon milk is a great hot drink that will not only warm you up, but also make you feel sleepy and milk drunk, drifting away into sleep like a baby!
9. Matcha Latté
This hot drink is calling all green tea lovers. A Matcha Latté is a healthy and tasty way to spice up your chilly mornings. Often made in cafés but also can be made at home, they are typically made up of matcha green tea powder, sugar, warm water, and plain, almond or coconut milk. If you’re a green tea lover, you will love this green tasty and aesthetic hot drink!
10. Magic Cacao
This hot drink won’t turn you into a fairytale princess, but it might make you feel like one! Magic Cacao is a specific brand that makes paleo protein mixes. This drink is incredibly healthy, fitting for those on paleo or keto diets. A quick google search will lead you to where you can buy the product, but it is basically made up of Chinese herbs, mushrooms, antioxidants, and other micronutrients. Don’t worry though, you won’t be able to taste those because it has a distinct chocolate flavor, so you might feel like you’re just drinking hot cocoa! This super-food hot drink is sure to leave you feeling warm and healthy!
11. White Chocolate Mocha
If you’ve ever been to Starbucks Co., then you must have read this hot drink off their menu at one point or another. White chocolate mochas are a common cafe drink, though they can also be made at home. This hot drink consists of steamed milk, sweetened whipped cream, caffeine, and white chocolate syrup to finish it off. Sometimes a drizzle of caramel is added to spice it up a bit. This hot drink is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!
12. Pumpkin Spice Latté
If you’re a coffee-lover, you must have known this was going to show up eventually. This hot drink is especially popular around the beginning of the crisp fall season. Pumpkin spice lattés are primarily sold seasonally at coffee shops, although they may also be made at home. Most have common ingredients made up of milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, skim or almond milk, coffee, vanilla and pumpkin pie spices. This hot drink will totally warm you up, as well as fill you up with fall vibes!
13. Wassail
If you’re not familiar with alcoholic drinks, you might have no idea what this is. Wassail is basically a warm fruit punch, perfect for a cold night. It is quite easy to make a virgin style by simply not adding the alcohol. Wassail is most commonly made up of apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice, ginger, and rum or whiskey. With Wassail’s zesty flavors, your taste buds are sure to be left feeling satisfied and your body warm!
Which of these hot drink ideas will you try? Let us know in the comments below!
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Lifestyle Magazine Writing Intern