5 Hot drinks to keep you warm this winter

5 Hot drinks to keep you warm this winter

For us Floridians, there aren’t many opportunities to enjoy hot drinks – usually, we reach for exactly the opposite: something ice cold! But with temperatures finally cooling off for the Winter, it’s time to grab your favorite mug, snuggle up under a warm blanket, and savor a delicious hot drink.

Hot toddy

            The origin of the hot toddy is highly contested, but this warm beverage has been consumed for hundreds of years as a home remedy to treat flu-like symptoms. Hot toddies are easy to concoct since they only use about five ingredients: honey, whiskey, water, lemon, and cinnamon. While this drink is no substitute for medicine, it is still very soothing: honey is anti-inflammatory, the lemon juice adds some vitamin C (great for the immune system!), and best of all, the whiskey will make you feel warm and fuzzy! 

Servings: 1

4 oz hot water

2 tsp fresh lemon juice

2 tsp honey

1 shot (about 1 ½ oz) of whiskey, bourbon, or rum of your choice

1 cinnamon stick

Combine lemon juice, honey, your whiskey of choice, and the cinnamon stick in a mug. Pour the hot water over everything, give it a quick stir, and you’ve got the perfect hot toddy!

Matcha Latte

If you’re not in the mood for a particularly sweet drink, a creamy, earthy matcha latte might be exactly what you need. Matcha is a green tea powder that is both anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants, having been consumed for its taste and health benefits for centuries.

Servings: 1

1 ½ tsp matcha powder

1 tablespoon hot water

Sweetener of choice

¾ cup hot milk of your choice

In a mug, add your match powder and hot water. Whisk for several minutes, or until well combined and no lumps can be seen. At this point, add your sweetener – you can use honey, stevia, sugar, etc. Add your milk of choice and whisk until combined. Now you’ve got a lovely, frothy, earthy drink that not only is good for you, but is sure to chase away the cold!

London Fog latte

            This sophisticated tea definitely scores high on our cozy drink list. Although the name suggests British origin, it was actually invented in the 1990s in Vancouver! Dried lavender is the staple of this drink, lending to its beautifully floral taste and aroma.

Servings: 1

1 cup hot water

2 bags of your preferred Earl Grey tea

½ tsp culinary-grade dried lavender

Sweetener of choice

¼ tsp vanilla extract

½ cup hot milk of your choice

Combine tea bags, lavender, and hot water in glass measuring cup, stir, and steep for 3-5 minutes. During this time, transfer your milk to another cup and whisk vigorously to froth. In your serving mug, add your desired sweetener and vanilla extract. Strain the tea into the mug and stir to combine. Finally, add your hot frothed milk, give it a gentle swirl, and you’ve got a creamy, flowery, warm tea drink that is perfect for the coldest winter days.

Hot buttered rum

            Like the hot toddy, buttered rum has been enjoyed for many years, but the exact time of its invention cannot be pinpointed. What we DO know is that buttered rum is warm, sweet, spicy, and best of all, boozy! What makes this drink unique, however, is that it is made using batter.

Servings: about 5

1 stick of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

½ cup packed brown sugar

½ tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

1/8 tsp ground cloves

Pinch of salt

1 shot (about 1 ½ oz) Jamaican rum

4 oz hot water

Cream together the butter, brown sugar, spices and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Transfer the batter to a clean, empty ice cube tray and store in the freezer until you’re ready to make a cup! When you’re ready to make one just pop one of the cubes of batter into a mug, add your favorite Jamaican rum, pour the hot water over everything and stir until combined. Now you’ve got the perfect boozy drink to keep warm with!

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

            The holidays may be over, but if you enjoy sweet and decadent drinks, hot chocolate is a must. This recipe uses real chocolate in place of cocoa powder and is highly customizable. You can add or remove certain flavors, adjust it to your preferred sweetness, and your home will be smelling just as divine as it tastes!

Servings: 8-10

5 cups whole, 2% or oat milk

1 can sweetened condensed milk (12oz)

1 can evaporated milk (12oz)

1 cup heavy cream

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Generous pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients into your slow cooker. Turn the heat to low and cook for two hours, whisking every 30 minutes. Switch heat to warm and enjoy! If you like your hot chocolate a little sweeter, you can use milk chocolate chips, or dark chocolate for a little less sweetness. You could also throw in a couple cinnamon sticks, star anise, peppermint extract, and whatever else you’d like – don’t forget the marshmallows and whipped cream on top!