I crave different kinds of foods when the weather gets cold. I think most of us do. We tend to want something heartier and more heart-warming. The same is true for me when it comes to beverages. I crave cold-weather drinks that pack a different kind of punch than warmer weather options.
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I know I’m not alone in this because as soon as a hint of autumn is in the air, seasonal fall and winter drinks start popping up on menus and I’m not just talking about the pumpkin spiced variety. I’ve put together a roundup of cold-weather drink recipes you’ll want to try right now. I’ve included some of the adult variety and also plenty that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Enjoy.
Make champurrado with or without peppermint.
This traditional Mexican hot chocolate drink includes masa harina, which gives it a thickness regular hot chocolate cannot achieve. Â This particular recipe adds peppermint to the mix, but you can omit it.
Fall in love with this autumn margarita.
If you love margaritas in the summer, there’s no reason to stop drinking them in the fall—especially, when you can make one with the flavors of the season. Think reposado tequila, apple cider, cinnamon, and more.
Brew some bougainvillea tea for what ails you.
My buddy Maura Hernández, author of the blog The Other Side of the Tortilla, swears by this bougainvillea tea during cold and flu season. Her father-in-law taught her how to make it and not only is it a great “home remedy for alleviating coughs and sore throat,” it’s also tasty.
Café de olla is always good.
Yes, you can have this tasty coffee all year long, but it just hits different in the colder months. The cinnamon and piloncillo are like a warm hug and a peck on the cheek during fall and winter.
A caipirinha, but make it pumpkin.
Why should lattes get all the pumpkin fun? Brazil’s national drink the caipirinha tastes really good with a pumpkin makeover. Made with cachaça, a fermented sugarcane alcohol, mixed with lime, ginger, and pumpkin puree, this drink is perfect for the cooler months.
Have you ever sipped on a hot chocolate banana?
It’s made with hot chocolate, banana liqueur, and whiskey. You can top it off with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. It’s spiked dessert in a cup and so good!
Brew up some vino navegado.
Vino navegado is Chilean mulled wine. The story goes that the cargo on a Chilean boat was denied entry when it arrived in Europe. The cargo happened to be wine and by the time it got back to Chile, it wasn’t all that good anymore, so it was made better by cooking it up with fruit, sugar, and spice.
Try this hot spiced apple cider with no added sugar.
Hot apple cider is perfect for the cooler months and it’s a great family-friendly drink that will warm your bones while being alcohol-free. This particular recipe only uses three ingredients and is incredibly easy to make.
Fresh ginger tea is a game-changer.
Yes, yes, I know they sell bags of ginger tea, but you cannot beat the taste of fresh ginger tea. Once you realize how easy it is to make, you might even get fancy with it and add a cinnamon stick and turmeric. Ginger has great health benefits and is known to calm upset tummies.
Slow-cooker hot cocoa is sweet perfection.
I almost never want to make hot cocoa because I don’t want to stand over the stove stirring or accidentally let the milk burn and ruin everything, which is why I love slow-cooker hot cocoa. Granted you can’t make it as quickly, but it’s worth the planning and the wait.
Nutella hot chocolate is a Nutella lover’s dream.
If you’ve never tried Nutella, it’s hard to explain how delicious it is. It’s the perfect melding of chocolate and hazelnut in a creamy spreadable paste. Turning that deliciousness into a hot cup of drinkable wonder is just magic.
Thanksgiving punch isn’t just for Thanksgiving.
You can enjoy this refreshing combination of apple cider, cranberry juice, and orange juice mixed together with sparking water or ginger ale the entire holiday season. It’s great for parties and get-togethers of any kind.
Crock-Pot Mexican punch can easily be made into an adult beverage.
You can enjoy this Mexican ponche as is or add a shot of tequila to your glass. It combines the delicious flavors of tamarind, jamaica (hibiscus flowers), cinnamon, tejocotes, guava, apple, and orange.
Hot buttered rum is divine.
Combine dark rum, butter, brown sugar, and hot water to create a drink that goes down smooth. It’s perfect for cold days when you want to lounge indoors and feel all cozy and warm.
You don’t have to be sick to have a hot toddy.
While it might not be what the doctor orders, a hot toddy is often sipped by someone who has cold or flu symptoms. Of course, you can have it just because it’s lovely, yummy, and easy to make.
