Whether you live where the winter temps stay chilly day and night, or you live in a milder clime, where a warm nighttime beverage is just the ticket, here are five recipes for deliciously hot drinks that each offer a twist on favorite wintertime beverages.
Hot Apple-Cranberry Cider
4 cups apple cider
4 cups cranberry juice (not cranberry cocktail)
Brown sugar to taste
4 cinnamon sticks
Pinch of whole cloves
Combine apple cider and cranberry juice in a large pot. Add brown sugar to taste if you like a sweeter cider. Add cinnamon sticks and cloves. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 5-10 minutes. Strain to remove spices and serve warm.
Easy Hot Chai Tea Apple Cider
Combine chai tea (regular or decaf) and apple cider to make a quick sweet-and-spicy treat.
1 chai tea bag
1 cup apple cider
In a microwave safe mug, microwave apple cider on high for 1-2 minutes, or until hot. Add chai tea bag and let steep 3-5 minutes.
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
8 oz. milk (or non-dairy milk)
1 Tbsp. smooth peanut butter
1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1 Tbsp. sugar or equivalent sweetener
Toppings: Chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, whipped cream
Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it just starts to simmer. Add peanut butter, cocoa powder, and sugar. Whisk together until dissolved. Remove from heat, and top with whipped cream, and chocolate chips.
Quick Nutella Coffee
2 tsp. Nutella
1 cup hot coffee
Half-and-half or milk (optional)
Whipped cream
Start with a hot cup your favorite freshly brewed coffee. Add Nutella and stir until it melts. Add milk or half-and-half to taste and top with whipped cream.
Hot Chocolate with Toppings
Try these hot chocolate recipes and experiment with the many fun toppings options.
- Hershey’s “Perfectly Chocolate” Hot Cocoa – A sweet and yummy cocoa recipe with many variations
- Bon Appetit’s Best Hot Chocolate – A super rich and decadent hot chocolate
- Simple Hot Cocoa for One – A delicious, chocolaty (but not too sweet) treat for one
Toppings
Crushed peppermint or candy canes
Caramel sauce or caramel pieces
Sweetened coconut flakes
Candy sprinkles
Cocoa puff cereal
Chocolate cookie crumbles Peanuts
Bonus Topping
Make some Marshmallow Snowman Toppers to add for fun or to delight a loved one:
Large marshmallows
Pretzel sticks
Candy corn
Chocolate syrup (or cake decorating gel)
Connect three marshmallows with pretzel sticks, then add the pretzel sticks for arms (and legs if you want). Add candy corn for the nose. Use melted chocolate or cake decoration gel to add eyes, mouth, and buttons.