Drink Recipes for Winter
Ready for one of these hot drinks in winter? Jump directly to the recipes:
Have you felt it? That 0-degree chill in the air? That wind that sucker punches you in the face every time you open your door? Yep. It’s winter. And it ain’t goin’ away. Hot drinks in winter are such a treat, as they obviously warm us, but, they’re kind of like God offering us a little reward for surviving another day in the season (I can’t be the only one who feels that way, right?!?).
In an effort to minimize the preservatives in my diet (you can read more about that here), I’ve traded the powdered packets, that, yes I know are oh-so-easy, for homemade drink options instead. While they take a little more effort, each of the below recipes, are still incredibly easy, and about 500% more flavorful.
Try them all and let me know which one is your favorite!
The two below chocolate variations are a cinch to convert for however many mugs you need, including single serve hot chocolate recipe options. Quarter or half the recipe for one or two mugs, or for a lot of guests, double it!
White Hot Chocolate / Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
4 C Milk (I use almond Milk)
1 C White Chocolate Chips
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Pinch of Salt
Optional: 8 Starlight Mints (Crushed in a baggie with a rolling pin)
Directions:
Combine all ingredients (accept mints, if making peppermint hot chocolate), in a saucepan. Stir with a whisk constantly until heated through and chips are melted. Serve immediately if drinking plain.
For peppermint white hot chocolate, add spoonful of crushed mints to the bottom of the mug. Pour hot chocolate over, and stir until dissolved.
Top with marshmallows or whip cream and sprinkle remaining candy over top.
Traditional Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
4 C Milk (I use almond milk)
1/4 C Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/4 C Sugar
1/2 C Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly, until hot and chocolate is melted. Make sure to heat slowly to avoid scorching chocolate. Serve immediately.
Top with marshmallows or whip cream.
Hot Apple Cider
**This is a family recipe we’ve been making for years. I actually make it in a percolator, but you can heat in a large saucepan or crockpot as well.
Ingredients:
1 Gallon Apple Cider
2/3 C Packed Brown Sugar
1 tsp Cloves
1 tsp Allspice
3 tsp Cinnamon
Directions:
This couldn’t be easier…either combine in a percolator, or heat until dissolved.
There you have it - a classic recipe for white hot chocolate, peppermint hot chocolate, regular hot chocolate, and the most amazing hot cider you’ll ever taste. Enjoy!
