15 Hot Drink Recipes to Heat Up Your Soul, With and Without Alcohol (2024)

We love prioritizing all things warm and comfy—from lounging in fuzzy socks and slippers to cozyfying our beds, to—of course—hot drinks. After all, when the temperature drops, what's more soothing than wrapping frozen fingers around a piping hot mug of rich hot cocoa or spicy mulled wine?

Whether you're in the mood for eggnog, warm apple cider, a creamy caramel latté, or a spirited hot toddy, we have hot drink recipes to warm you up from the inside out. Make one (or several), grab a blanket, light a fire, and settle in until spring.

If mixing your own hot drink isn't for you, pick up a store-bought warming beverage or a bottle of wine for cold weather.

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Sweet and Spicy Mulled Wine

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This warm, boozy beverage is super simple to make and perfect for a crowd. Make a big batch, keep it warm on the stove, and let guests ladle it themselves. Thanks to a hearty dose of black peppercorns and spicy fresh ginger, this mulled wine recipe delivers a balanced (not sticky-sweet) co*cktail.

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Easy Chai Tea

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This café classic is easier to make than you think. Simply bring crushed spices, cinnamon sticks, ginger, and milk to a boil. Next, add tea bags and steep for 10 minutes. For an extra caffeine kick, add a shot of espresso for a DIY dirty chai.

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Spiced Vanilla Almond Milk

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This warm drink recipe calls for almond milk, but any milk, whether that's dairy or non-dairy, will work. If you don't have nutmeg in the pantry, swap it with a sprinkle of allspice or ginger.

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Warm Mulled Cider

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Aromatherapy meets delicious in this hot drink recipe! Simmer apple cider with mulling spices, orange zest, and ginger to make this warming drink that smells as good as it tastes. Sip while mulling over a good book to read on a cold winter day.

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Creamy Caramel Latté

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You can make this luscious latté without fancy ingredients, an espresso machine, or a milk frother. For a barista-quality beverage, replace espresso with extra-strong coffee from a French press or pour-over machine. Froth the milk in a Mason jar, and drizzle caramel sauce on top for an extra-sweet way to start the day.

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Mexican Hot Chocolate

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To turn up the heat in this winter classic, add an extra touch of ground cayenne pepper and cinnamon. This hot chocolate recipe calls for all-natural unsweetened cocoa, but you can use a package of hot cocoa mix in a pinch.

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Slow Cooker Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

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Change up your favorite hot chocolate by adding molasses and traditional gingerbread spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Mix up a batch in the slow cooker for your family and guests to sip all day (or night) long.

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Spiked Hot Apple Cider With Molasses

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Apple cider is a classic for good reason, but adding molasses, fresh ginger, and rum takes this fall favorite over the top. Pair with a cozy sweater and serve with pumpkin pie on the side.

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Magic Cocoa

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This hot chocolate recipe calls for just two ingredients, making it a speedy and effective antidote for winter chills. Just add cocoa candy melts or semisweet chocolate chips to hot milk, stir, and let the coziness begin.

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Chai Hot Toddy

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This unique, warmingco*cktail is worlds away from a traditional hot toddy. We punched up dark rum with a hearty dose of warming spices, milk, and black tea for a deep, complex flavor you'll love curling up with.

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Chai and Irish Cream

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All you need is the two titular ingredients to make a warming co*cktail you'll crave all winter long. Somehow, magic happens when a glug or two of Irish cream mingles in a mug of spicy, freshly brewed chai tea, resulting in rich, sweet, and creamy in every sip.

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Pink Hot Chocolate

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For a warm drink that's fun and whimsical, you can't beat a pink hot chocolate. To make it, start with grated sweet white chocolate, and then add your milk of choice with a bit of natural beet juice (instead of artificial dye) for color. Finish with whipped cream, a dash of cinnamon, and smiles all around.

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Spiked Cider Tea

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What happens when you mix hot apple cider, freshly brewed black tea, a little vanilla, and gin? This recipe answers that query with a cozy co*cktail that's flavorful, rich, and satisfying.

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Spiced Hot Toddy

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Created as a whiskey-based cure for colds and sniffles, today's hot toddy and its many variations are more than medicinal. To create this spicy version, we use honey to draw the flavor of baking spices—namely cardamom and star anise—into an infused simple syrup. Add bourbon, and let the healing begin.

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Easy Blender Eggnog

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To save time without sacrificing taste, use your blender to prepare this holiday classic. The recipe calls for whirling heavy cream, sugar, and nutmeg until frothy and then adding brandy (or Bourbon or cognac—or not). Serve warm.

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15 Hot Drink Recipes to Heat Up Your Soul, With and Without Alcohol (2024)

FAQs

What are common hot drinks? ›

8 Hot Beverages that Will Warm Your Bones Over the Campfire
  • HOT CHOCOLATE. You know we had to include this. ...
  • IRISH COFFEE. ...
  • GINGER TEA. ...
  • MULLED WINE. ...
  • CHAI TEA. ...
  • HOT TODDY. ...
  • HONEY MILK. ...
  • SPIKED HOT APPLE CIDER.

What drink keeps you warm? ›

Hot Chocolate

A winter favorite, hot chocolate or cocoa is a great way to warm up and get your sweet fix simultaneously. This easy-to-make drink is topped with whipped cream and marshmallows for an extra special treat. If you want a richer flavor, use unsweetened cocoa powder to make your hot chocolate.

What hot drink gives you energy? ›

Green tea packs enough caffeine to substitute for coffee, even if you're an avid coffee-drinker. Cozying up with a mug of something warm is half the appeal of coffee. Swap it for antioxidant-rich green tea, which still has plenty of caffeine for an energy boost.

What hot drink instead of tea? ›

One of the best alternatives to coffee and tea is turmeric milk. Also known as golden milk, turmeric (haldi) is a common Indian spice that is cooked with a pinch of cinnamon, black pepper powder and a crushed sliver of ginger. You can have this warm drink with or without sugar as a nightcap during winter.

What hot drink burns fat? ›

9. Oolong tea. Like other teas, it also contains caffeine, which helps promote weight and body fat loss. Drinking a few cups of green tea, oolong tea, or a combination of the two on a regular basis may promote fat loss and provide other beneficial health effects.

What are the top 3 healthiest drinks? ›

Water is the best choice for quenching your thirst. Coffee and tea, without added sweeteners, are healthy choices, too. Some beverages should be limited or consumed in moderation, including fruit juice, milk, and those made with low-calorie sweeteners, like diet drinks.

What hot drink can I have instead of tea and coffee? ›

Other caffeine-free hot drinks
  • Hot spiced pear juice.
  • Hot pumpkin molasses mug.
  • Golden milk tea (This recipe uses turmeric and ginger, which are both in the “Foods Worth Trying” category.)
  • Vanilla almond steamer.
  • Hot spiced molasses mug.
  • Vanilla steamer.
Jan 14, 2022

What is Britain's Favourite hot drink? ›

Coffee consumption has been continuing to grow in the United Kingdom, but according to a 2023 Statista Global Consumer Survey, coffee is now the UK's leading 'hot drink of choice'.

Which drink is best for heart? ›

Heart-healthy drinks (other than water)
  • Sparkling water (try adding chopped fruit or herbs; for example, fresh mint).
  • Unflavoured milk.
  • Plant-based milks with added calcium, like soy, almond, oat, rice milk.
  • Tea.
  • Coffee.
  • Small glass (125ml) of 100% fruit or vegetable juice.

What is the best hot drink in the morning? ›

Water and lemon

This will provide a healthy dose of immune-boosting vitamin C. If you crave a soothing hot drink first thing, simply go for the good old hot water and lemon. You can't go wrong. If this is a tad too bitter for your taste buds, try a small drop of honey to sweeten it.

What is a good warm drink before bed? ›

Chamomile tea, like warm milk, is another more traditional option in the world of natural sleeping solutions. Experts have recommended the use of chamomile for years as an aid for those who suffer from insomnia. Often, this tea is very calming and soothing — as well as being caffeine-free.

What warm drink makes you sleepy? ›

Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea, also known as "sleep tea," is the best choice, as the added herb has been scientifically proven to help people fall asleep quickly. Lemon Tea: Citrus fruits are also great for promoting sleep, so consider adding a bit of lemon juice or a few lemon slices in your drink.

What is the fastest way to warm up your body? ›

Go for a walk or a jog. If it's too cold outside, hit the gym, or just do some jumping jacks, pushups, or other exercises indoors. Not only will it warm you up, it helps build and keep your muscles, which also burn calories and make body heat.

How can I warm up my body fast? ›

Here are some activities you can try.
  1. Jumping jacks. While “getting your blood flowing” does help increase core body temperature, intense or long-term cardio exercise (such as running) can actually lead to a short-term decrease in skin temperature as you sweat. ...
  2. Walking. ...
  3. Putting your hands in your armpits. ...
  4. Clothing.
Jan 5, 2021

What hot drink on an empty stomach? ›

Ginger Tea is super easy to prepare and can benefit you in a variety of ways. Having ginger tea on an empty stomach can strengthen the digestive system, soothe nausea and provide relief from a scratchy throat. Just boil 1 cup of water along with 1 inch of grated ginger. Let it simmer for about 4-5 minutes.

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