5 hot drink recipes to try this winter

Whether you’re celebrating the holidays or getting cozy after a snowy afternoon outdoors, homemade hot drinks are the perfect wintertime indulgence. From white hot chocolate to mulled wine, these hot drink recipes featuring seasonal syrups, fragrant spices, medicinal herbs, and boozy add-ons will definitely deliver some seasonal warmth.

Photo Credit: Vadym

A fragrant holiday cocktail that can be enjoyed throughout the winter, mulled wine (or glühwein) is made with a mélange of warming spices that’ll fill your home with a festive scent.

1. Heat two bottles of red wine in a saucepan with 6 tablespoons of honey, a whole orange studded with cloves, a few orange and lemon slices, ground ginger, and a cinnamon stick.
2. Allow wine mixture to simmer for 20 minutes before serving.

Homemade hot chocolate can be customized based on your favourite flavours and toppings. Whether you prefer dark, milk, or white hot chocolate, a steaming cup of cocoa will appeal to kids and adults alike.

1. Combine 4 cups of milk or cream with 1 cup of high-quality chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan.
2. Whisk all ingredients over medium-low heat until the chocolate has melted entirely.
3. Serve immediately topped with marshmallows or whipped cream.

Want to enjoy a cozy pumpkin spice latte at home? Recreating a copycat version of the notorious fall beverage from Starbucks is easier than you might think.

1. Combine 1 ½ cup of water and 1 ½ cup of white sugar in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.
2. Once sugar has dissolved, add six full cinnamon sticks, 1 teaspoon each of ground cloves and ground ginger, 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg, and 4 tablespoons of pumpkin purée to the pot and stir to blend.
3. Let the syrup simmer for 20 minutes before removing from heat and straining through a cheesecloth.
4. Combine espresso with steamed milk in a mug and add homemade pumpkin spice syrup to taste.

Note: Syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to seven days.

Hot apple cider is a classic cold-weather concoction that’s even better when made from scratch.

1. In a large saucepan, combine 10 apples (cored and quartered), ½ an orange, 4 cinnamon sticks, 1 teaspoon each of cloves, allspice, and nutmeg with ½ cup of brown sugar over medium heat.
2. Cover all ingredients with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for two hours covered.
3. Take pot off heat, remove oranges, and use a wooden spoon to mash apples. Return to the burner and simmer uncovered for one hour.
4. Strain cider mixture through a fine mesh strainer and discard pulp.
5. Keep your cider kid-friendly or spike it with a shot of bourbon or whisky for an added kick.

If you’re suffering from a seasonal cold, try a Hot Toddy to help soothe your sore throat. This warming cocktail with Irish roots is traditionally composed of hot water, whisky, honey and medicinal ingredients like fresh ginger and cinnamon.

1. In a mug, combine 2 oz. boiling water, 1 teaspoon honey and 1 ½ oz. of Irish whisky, dark rum or bourbon.
2. Flavour your drink with fresh lemon juice and spices as desired.
3. Let mixture stand for a few minutes before drinking to allow ingredients to mingle.