The steam rises from your mug, carrying the alluring scent of spices in the air—nothing beats indulging in one of the best warm winter drinks. On days when the haze keeps most people indoors, taking ozy winter beverages is sure to offer tradition, comfort and a dose of health benefits.
Most global culinary traditions spotlight local seasonal hot drinks to treat yourself and drive off the cold during winter. So, naturally, we shall consider some global hot drink recipes that you can replicate as immune-boosting drinks. Let’s get right to business!
Classic Comforts with a Twist
Hot chocolate comfortably sits atop the list of the best warm winter drinks. It can be creamy, rich, and sweet in aroma depending on how you serve it. The beverage can also be gourmet, with added spices like peppermint, orange zest, chilli, or cinnamon.
Chocolate, but spiced winter drinks like vegan hot cocoa and white chocolate peppermint, pack a handful of benefits. For example, beverages containing chocolate are a natural source of energy boost. Similarly, beyond warmth and comfort, hot chocolate is one of the few immune-boosting winter drinks that also serve as a panacea for winter depression. Studies have established that hot chocolate is one of the best warm winter drinks because of its antioxidant content.
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Global Favorites to Warm You Up
Hot cocoa or chocolate is one of the best winter drinks to try out, partly because they are ubiquitous around the globe. However, there are some global warm drink recipes native to certain regions. We shall consider a few that have gained notoriety in their little corners as hot beverages for cold weather.
1. Sahlep (Turkey)
If you visit a Turk in winter, they’d probably serve one of the best warm winter drinks their culture has to offer, Sahlep. The major ingredients of these hot beverages for cold weather are milk, dried and powdered orchid, and rosewater or sometimes cinnamon.
2. Suutei Tsai (Mongolia)
This is a delicacy popular with Mongolians at home and abroad. It is also called salted milk tea and is prepared by mixing salt and milk with brick tea.
3. Atole (Mexico)
Atoles are non-alcoholic cozy drinks native to Mexico. These festive hot drinks are as popular with Mexicans as Tacos. Prepared largely from corn (flour or dough), it can come in multiple flavor variants.
4. Glühwein (Germany)
Glühwein is often called ‘glow wine’ in Austria and Germany, where it is one of the ubiquitous festive hot drinks. It is made by blending spices, sugar, citrus, and a red wine base. However, there are non-alcoholic cozy drinks of this variant for children, without alcoholic ingredients.
5. Kunun Gyada (Nigeria)
The rainy seasons of West Africa are sometimes cold. One of the best warm drinks popular in northern Nigeria is the millet-based beverage—kunun gyada. It is often mixed with milled groundnut and sometimes spiked with spices.
6. Masala Chai (India)
The Hindi name Masala Chai translates as ‘spiced tea’ and is native to India and other parts of South Asia. Masala Chai is another example of spiced winter drinks, prepared by infusing black tea and spices like cardamom, cinnamon and ginger in hot water.
Healthy Sips for the Cold Season
Don’t get too mesmerized by the best warm winter drinks from around the world. Why? Because with certain easily sourced ingredients, you could prepare a DIY warm beverage. The high point of the global warm drink recipes we are about to suggest is that they aid your health. Speaking of health, these warm drinks for winter don’t just keep cold at bay, but also do some corrective maintenance to our physiology.
Some typical examples of such medicinal warm winter drinks are hot lemon-honey water, turmeric latte (aka golden milk) and ginger tea.
Alcoholic Options for Adult Indulgence
Sometimes, adults want a beverage that is not just hot, but packs a punch without leaving them staggering all over the place. These beverages are often mildly alcoholic and the best warm winter drinks for this category.
This niche’s regular suspects of hot beverages are hot buttered rum, spiked cider, Irish coffee and mulled wine. All these contain some alcohol and are quite stable as hot servings. Ever heard of sustainable warming cocktails? Throw in a couple of ‘green’ or upcycled ingredients into the mix, and you may just win an award for saving the planet while cooking some miniature booze.
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DIY Tips and Ingredient Swaps
You don’t need to wait for a vacation trip to enjoy one of those global warm drink recipes. With the right ingredients handy and a couple of DIY tips, you’ll be on track to preparing one of the best warm winter drinks without leaving your kitchen.
Some ingredients that can help you make warm winter beverages at the drop of a hat are:
- Spices, like allspice, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon
- Natural sweeteners, like maple syrup, stevia, dates and honey
- Plant-based and dairy alternatives, for vegans and vegetarians
- Some chocolate bars, tea bags or loose leaves will come in handy
With these, gourmet and healthy winter drinks are at your fingertips. Dare to explore some DIY recipes this winter. We are sure it was the first time for whoever invented the best warm winter drinks spotlighted in this piece. Whether steeped, spiced, or spiked, a perfect mug awaits you this winter. So, get going!
