6 Delicious Hot Drinks to Warm You Up!

Espresso Hot Chocolate

  • 4 cups whole milk (full-fat milk) (or you can use skim,-low fat, or plant-based milk)
  • ¼ cup unsweetened heavy cream
  • ½ cup brown sugar (or you can use any other sweetener that you like)
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup dark chocolate chips (or semi-sweet chocolate chips)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3-4 shots espresso (or ½ cup strongly brewed coffee)

Instructions

  • Pour milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, and cocoa powder into a pan and mix well to combine.
  • Cook on medium heat until the milk comes to a boil. Keep stirring frequently to avoid scorching at the bottom of the pan.
  • Add chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and espresso, and cook until the chocolate chips dissolve and the hot chocolate is thick and creamy. Stir frequently.
  • Pour the hot chocolate into serving mugs.
  • Note – You can pass the hot chocolate through a fine-mesh strainer if it has a few fat globules.
  • Garnish with whipped cream, marshmallows, and a sprinkling of instant coffee powder, and serve immediately.

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Hot Apple Cider

  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tsp black peppercorns
  • 1/2 tsp whole cloves
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 4 cups unsweetened apple juice
  • 1/2 tbsp. orange zest
  • pure maple syrup, optional for added sweetness

Instructions

  1. Combine spices in a sauce pan and cook over medium-high heat until aromatic, about 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently.

  2. Add the nutmeg, and stir to combine.  Then, add in the apple juice and orange zest.  Bring to a boil.

  3. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, depending on how strong you like your cider.
  4. Pour juice through a fine mesh strainer, into a mug. Allow to cool slightly.

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Homemade Chai Tea Concentrate

  • 12 cardamom pods, gently crushed
  • 8 whole black peppercorns
  • 8 whole cloves
  • 4-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced
  • 4 cups water
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 whole allspice (optional)
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar (more or less to taste)
  • 2 star anise
  • 1 vanilla bean, sliced down the middle
  • 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
  • 4 black tea bags

Instructions

  1. Bring all ingredients except tea bags together to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Add tea bags and let steep for 5 minutes. Pour mixture through a strainer and reserve the liquid for concentrate, and let cool to room temperature.
  2. Mix equal parts concentrate with water or milk to make chai tea. Or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to one week.

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Easy Homemade Mocha

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons (12g to 25g) granulated sugar to taste
  • 1 tablespoon (5g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon water omit if making using the mason jar method
  • 1 cup hot coffee
  • ¼ cup milk any percentage
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream optional
  • Whipped cream for topping, optional

Instructions

Stovetop or Microwave

  • In a small pot or microwave-safe cup, stir together sugar, cocoa powder, and water. Heat on the stove (or in your microwave for about 15 seconds), and stir until sugar and cocoa powder dissolve and sauce is completely smooth.
  • Stir in coffee and milk and continue to heat until steaming (about 30 seconds in the microwave). If making on the stove, you can whisk the mixture vigorously until foamy. Pour into a cup, top with whipped cream if desired, and enjoy!

Mason Jar Method

  • Combine all ingredients except the water and optional whipped cream in a mason jar. Screw the lid on securely and wrap top with a towel (in case your jar leaks). Give a few very good shakes, until everything is well-mixed and mixture is foamy.
  • Pour into a mug and microwave for 30 seconds or until steaming. Top with whipped cream if desired. Enjoy!

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coffee mugs filled with hot chocolate, whip cream and drizzled with caramel

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

  • 2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree, or more to taste,
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons sugar, depending on how sweet you like it
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 cup strong hot coffee
  • Whipped cream, for serving

Instructions

  1. Add milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until hot, but do not boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and the coffee.
  2. Divide the mixture between two mugs. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

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Crock Pot Spiced Cherry Cider

  • 1 gallon apple cider, can also use apple juice
  • 6 ounce cherry gelatin, (2 3oz packages)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks

Instructions

  • In a 6 quart crock pot, add apple cider and cherry jello, then stir until jello seems dissolved (cider will appear bright red in color).
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours.
  • Uncover cider and stir, then toss in cinnamon sticks.
  • Keeping temperature on HIGH, cover and cook cider for 1 more hour.
  • Before serving, remove cinnamon sticks from crock pot and give cherry cider a final stir. You can either set crock pot to warm and serve cider directly from the crock pot OR you can transfer cider to a pitcher. Caution, cider will be very hot – be sure to use a pitcher with a good handle!

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Enjoy!