Winter mornings are getting chillier with each passing day and there’s nothing quite like cosying up with a steaming mug of hot chocolate with a book in fuzzy socks as the winter breeze creeps in. And we know for sure that this feeling is only going to keep on increasing as we move towards Christmas Day. So to ward off these chills and make your winter days a tad brighter and a lot cozier we have listed these delicious winter beverages for you to try.
Here are 10 easy and quick winter beverages to whip up at home
1. Classic hot chocolate
Velvety, rich, and indulgent, hot chocolate is the secret ingredient to December winters and bonus points if it is topped with freshly whipped cream. To upgrade your cocoa experience and give it an extra layer of deliciousness, add a splash of peppermint or a swirl of salted caramel.
Top this winter beverage off with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder for the best hot drinks for the winter.
2. Masala chai
The king of all winter beverages is Masala Chai and there is no fighting about it. To make this comforting winter beverage you infuse black tea with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and bay leaves and then add steamed milk for a creamy, fragrant treat. Not only is it delicious but also packed with amazing benefits for your skin, your metabolism and your liver. Talk about an all-rounder healthy drink in winter.
3. Mulled wine
A concoction of red wine infused with spices and citrus, this warm, boozy winter cocktail is super simple to make yet super delicious. To make this winter beverage, simmer the wine gently on the stove to allow the flavours of cinnamon, cloves, black peppercorns and orange zest to meld into it. Serve it steaming in mugs, and get into that festive cheer for the season’s celebrations.
4. Apple cider and cinnamon
This unique winter beverage is made by adding a few cinnamon sticks to your usual apple cider and letting them soak to infuse the flavour of cinnamon into it. For a beverage that embodies the crispness of winter, this winter beverage is also a health boost to your body. This healthy drink in winter is said to help create more white blood cells to strengthen your immunity and also has high iron content to help generate more Red Blood Cells. And if this wasn’t enough, it also helps repair and creates new cells and tissues so bye-bye to winter cough this year.
5. Turmeric golden milk
This delicious winter beverage is a barricade to all hundred kinds of diseases running behind us, be it flu, cold, cough, or joint pains making it a very important health drink in winter. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are due to a compound named curcumin present in turmeric which can help with autoimmune conditions by regulating inflammatory signals.
To enjoy this drink, you just need to simply warm milk with turmeric, ginger, and a touch of honey as a sweetener. Serve hot for a comforting and healthful winter treat.
6. Pumpkin spice latte
Pumpkin season is here and there’s going to be a long queue for this winter beverage in all the Starbucks and cafes. So, to make this delicious hot drink for the winter at home, blend pumpkin puree with warm spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, add espresso, and steamed milk. Serve this seasonal favourite with a dollop of whipped cream, enjoy it wrapped in a blanket, and let its cosy flavours envelop you.
7. Eggnog
You absolutely can not think about Christmas without this winter beverage that is eggnog. It is a creamy delight of a welcome drink for winter that warms your palate as well as your heart. To make it you need to infuse whisked egg yolks, cream, milk, salt, and nutmeg in a container and let it simmer on low heat for just 15 - 20 mins. Here’s a little something for adults, rum goes very well with eggnog and makes it the winter cocktail that adds glitter to the Christmas celebration.
8. Gingerbread spiced coffee
Since spiced coffees are a rage right now, we will tell you a way to spice up your coffee game at home before you spend a fortune on fancy coffee mixes available during the festival season. To get this festive fusion combine your coffee grounds with ground ginger, cinnamon, and a dash of nutmeg before brewing while topping it out with frothy milk and a drizzle of molasses. Boom! Your little cup of tasty energy with a hint of flavour is ready.
9. Lavender white hot chocolate
This winter beverage does taste and sound like luxury yet it can be made in a jiffy at home with a simple setup. We are talking about Lavender White Hot Chocolate, a sweet, creamy, and nourishing drink. To make this hot drink for the winter, simply combine the whole milk, heavy cream and white chocolate, and add dried lavender to it once the chocolate is melted. Top it off with vanilla extract once the drink is ready. Serve hot and enjoy your cup of luxury.
10. Spiced hot toddy
Given its name may be a mystery, this special winter cocktail will cure you of your complex ailments or just a simple cold. Some people say it gets its name from Dr Todd who is believed to have prepared this drink for the first time as a cure for the common cold but its similarities to the good old Indian kadha are uncanny.
The ingredients to make this winter beverage include brandy, sugar/honey, hot water, and flavoured spices like cinnamon, cardamom, black peppercorns, star anise, and cloves. Not a big alcohol fan? We’ve got you covered as this drink can also be prepared with fresh fruit juices at room temperature instead of the spirit.