The nights are closing in and there’s a chill in the air – winter is here. Even if you dread the cold months every year, you can’t deny there’s something irresistible about snuggling up with a hot drink while rain pummels the window and the wind howls. Hot chocolate and eggnog are most people’s go-to choice but if you’re looking for something a little less sugary but just as warming then we suggest trying out these simple healthy hot drinks.
3 Hot Chocolate Alternatives
Honey and Lemon Tea
The king of all healthy hot drinks and probably one that we’ve all had made for us when we’ve had a bad cold. Hot honey and lemon is tasty and warming. No, it’s not the magic elixir some people make it out to be but honey is packed full of antioxidants and lemon juice is a great source of vitamin c, so it’s a welcomed addition especially if you can feel a cold coming on.
How to Make
- Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into your favourite mug.
- Top up with hot water from the kettle.
- Add honey taste.
Top tip: Pop your lemon in the mircrowave for a couple of seconds to make it easier to squeeze.
Tumeric Latte
Remember when tumeric was all the rage? Well, there was a reason. Similarly to hot lemon and honey, drinking a tumeric latte isn’t going to cure you of all your ills but this spicey drink will warm you up nicely while also packing a health punch. Tumeric is an anti-inflammatory is packed full of anti-oxidants and has been linked to helping everything from reducing the symptoms of skin conditions to protecting against Alzheimer’s.
How to Make
- Put 350ml of milk into a pan (any milk will do).
- Add 1/4 tsp each of ground tumeric, ground cinnamon and ground ginger.
- Add half a tsp of vanilla extract and 1 tsp of maple syrup.
- Whisk all of the ingredients constantly over a gentle heat until heated through.
Fresh Ginger Tea
Yes, you could just buy a box of teabags but making fresh ginger tea makes for a tastier experience. Well known for easing digestive discomfort and nausea ginger tea is another anti-inflammatory which has been linked to easing headaches and migraines, weight loss and reducing cholesterol.
How to Make
- Clean and thinly slice your fresh ginger – you’ll need about one inch of ginger root.
- Heat the ginger in a saucepan with enough hot water for a mug of tea.
- Bring the water to the boil and then allow to simmer for about five minutes (but it depends on how strong you’d like the tea to be).
- Pour the tea through a sieve into your favourite mug and add honey, maple syrup or lemon juice to taste.
Feel like you’re in need of something a little stronger this winter? We don’t blame you. Try our top lockdown cocktails instead.
