10 Delicious Winter Drinks To Warm Your Soul Up
Those chilly nights are upon us! Do not fear, I have a plethora of winter drinks here that are delicious, warm and may help you (very) temporarily forget that it is so damn cold outside! Even if it does not, they will still be fabulous. Check it!
Spiced Caramel Apple Cider
One of those winter drinks that gets a Fall rap. Who says that apple cider can only be a fall drink?! Goons that is who! Apple cider is a fabulous drink to have when the season starts to turn chilly. I am such a fan of this drank, especially the one from Starbucks. It legit tastes like fresh apple pie in a cup. Yummy! There are also so many recipes out there to have this delicious winter drink right in your own home! To make this drink you will need 4 cups of apple cider, ¼ cup of caramel topping, 1 teaspoon of apple pie spice and 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract. These are enough ingredients to make four cups of deliciousness. In order to taste this good stuff, you must Bring apple cider, caramel topping, and apple pie spice to simmer in a medium saucepan. Then Stir in vanilla. After pouring into cups, go ahead and top that drank with whipped cream, additional caramel topping, and apple pie spice, if desired. Then enjoy!
2. Hot Chai Tea
Yummy! This is one of the winter drinks that will be able to warm you up! There are many different kinds of hot chai tea recipes out there but I think the one I got is very comforting and delicious. Those are the two most important components of a winter drink and this chai tea recipe has got it. You will need one cup of milk (you can substitute with almond, coconut, soy or a different kind if you are feeling it), one cup of water, one large strip of orange peel, three whole cloves, one (3 in.) cinnamon stick, three whole black peppercorns, one pinch of ground nutmeg, four teaspoons of white sugar, and two teaspoons of black leaves. To prep, this tea combines the milk and water into a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once this mixture has been warmed, once this mixture has warmed, place the orange peel, cloves, cinnamon stick, peppercorns, nutmeg, sugar, and tea leaves into the pan. Go ahead and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the color deepens to your liking. Strain out spices and enjoy!
3. French Hot Chocolate
No more sad packets of cocoa powder mix we have used to make hot chocolate! We deserve better than that! French hot chocolate is made with rich, dark chocolate. It is hot chocolate for true chocolate lovers. You better strap in for this winter drink, it will take your taste buds on a journey. What you will need for this dankness is 1 1/2 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 2 teaspoons powdered sugar, (optional but it will intensify the chocolatey goodness 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder — optional, but delicious for intensifying chocolate flavor, 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate ( make sure it is at least 70% and to chop it), and a bowl of whipped cream (optional). In order to make it you need to take a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and espresso powder until small bubbles appear around the edges. Remember do not let it boil! After you remove from the heat, stir until stir in the chopped chocolate until melted, returning the sauce to low heat if needed for the chocolate to melt completely. Serve warm, and get ready to make your tastebuds very happy.
4. Dutch Fresh Mint Tea
We cannot have winter drinks without tea! Let’s take our minds outside of the tea bag and give ourselves a fresh winter drink during this season! Mint tea is so refreshing already, so imagine what it will taste like fresh! WHOA! It is so easy to make! All you will need is hot water and fresh mint. Place a handful of fresh mint and put it into a glass. Pour hot water and let sit for a few minutes. Go ahead and add some honey if you are feeling it. And boom! A fresh, soothing winter drink.
5. Vegan Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Another spin on a classic beverage known as hot chocolate. Yes, it is possible to have a vegan hot chocolate beverage and it looks hella yummy as well. For this goodness you will need 2 cups non-dairy milk (you can use almond or coconut milk) 2-ounce (or close) quality non-dairy dark chocolate bar (make sure it is chopped, 1-2 tablespoons raw sugar (depending on preferred sweetness), 1/8-1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract, Coconut whipped cream (optional) and crushed peppermint (optional). In order to make this happen, you need to Add milk to a small saucepan over medium-low heat and stir occasionally until warm. This will take about 5 minutes. Get it hot enough to melt the chocolate. Once hot, add the chocolate and sugar and whisk until it melts. After, remove from heat and add peppermint extract, careful to start out with a small amount (such as ⅛ teaspoon) since it can be very overpowering. Once it looks good to ya, add your toppings and enjoy!
6. London Fog Tea
When choosing winter drinks, you may be inclined to stay inside the box of hot chocolate but it sounds SO good. So London fog tea has a base of Earl grey tea and they are super simple to make! You will need ½ cup of steamed milk of any kind (treat yoself), 1 cup (8 oz.) strongly-brewed earl grey tea, brewed with 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender (optional but highly recommended), 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar and 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract. In order to prepare, brew the earl grey tea and lavender together, and steep for 3 minutes or however long it says for the tea instructions. If you do not have a milk steamer (which I did not even know existed before I wrote this article) you can heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it simmers but do not let it boil! That is a no go! Then, remove the tea bag and strain out the lavender. Stir in remaining ingredients until combined. Then, get your drank on!
7. Banana Milk Coffee
For me, when I drink my coffee, I usually throw in my almond milk creamer and call it a day. I think this season is the perfect time to take a walk on the adventurous side when it comes to coffee. Here enters banana milk coffee! What you will need to make this yummy coffee is 1 cup of the good stuff (coffee), 1 ripe banana, any type of milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar and cinnamon. What you need to do is first is to mash up a very ripe banana in a bowl with 1 tbsp of sugar. Then add the banana to a saucepan and heat under low heat until the sugar has dissolved, gradually put in some milk followed by some cinnamon. Cinnamon makes everything better! Blend it all until totally smooth adding a little more milk and pour it on top of some freshly brewed hot coffee.
8. Lemon Ginger Detox Tea
This is one of the winter drinks you cannot go without this season. If you can pain, ginger can be your best friend! If you are sick, ginger has got your back. Ginger contains a plethora of health benefits that is much needed during this time of year. Cold and flu season is upon us and ginger can give us the extra pick me up we need! In addition, lemon is amazing for energy and focus. Get that vitamin C! For this drank you will need 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger, 1 lemon wedge, 1 cup hot water, and 2-3 teaspoons raw honey. You need to first boil that water. Then use a large coarse grater to shave ginger into a mug. Then place that wedge of lemon in the mug. Pour boiling water into the cup and let the lemon and ginger steep for 5 minutes. You are good to go after that!
9. Nutella Eggnog
The holidays are around the corner, so I gotta throw in famous holiday winter drinks. But with a twist! Try something new this holiday season for your party! You won’t regret it! You will need 8 eggs, separated, a 1/2 cup sugar, a 1/2 cup Nutella, 3 cups whole milk, 2 cups heavy cream, 2 cups dark rum (get lit), and crushed toasted hazelnuts This makes about 12 cups of dankness so if you do not want to make that many, cut the recipe as needed. To make this put egg whites in the bowl of a sand whisk on low speed until frothy, this will take about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high and, watching carefully, beat until they are about the consistency of shaving cream, this will take about 90 seconds. Reduce speed to medium. Then, add half of the sugar and beat until incorporated, Again, this will take about 30 seconds. After placing whites to a large bowl. Add egg yolks and remaining sugar to the now-empty stand mixer bowl and beat at medium-high speed until pale yellow and ribbon. Then add Nutella and keep mixing. This will take about 15 seconds. Add milk, cream, and alcohol and mix again. Hella mixing. But it is worth the arm workout! Using a rubber spatula, fold the whipped whites into the egg yolk/milk mixture until completely incorporated. Pour into glasses and then place crushed hazelnut to complete it! If you are feeling it, go ahead and place it on stovetop or microwave in order to make it warm and satisfying.
10. Warm Vanilla
This is one of those winter drinks that is excellent for a chilly night where you are looking for something sweet and simple to comfort and satisfy you at the same damn time! Super easy to make! All you will need 1 cup of milk (any type), 2 teaspoons of white sugar, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. All you need to do is pour milk into the mug. Stir together the cinnamon and sugar, then stir into the milk. Mix the cinnamon into the sugar first will help to keep it from floating on top. Then, stir in the vanilla. Place the mug in the microwave and heat for 1 minute and 40 seconds, or longer for a warmer drink. Stir and enjoy it!
