Hot drinks to keep warm as the weather cools down

By / Wine + Drinks / November 17th, 2020 / 3
Selection of hot drinks

The weather outside is getting colder as the days go by. With summer in the rear-view mirror, the harsh reality of Canadian winter comes nearer every day. There’s really no better way to fight the cold than with the comfort of a nice warm drink, so here are a few ideas to get you through the declining temperatures.

Hot Richard

Do you need a drink to relax you after a long, hard day doing work? Then you need not look any further than this boozy cup of warm comfort. Chances are you probably have most (if not all) of the ingredients needed for this drink already on hand, so you’re just a few steps away from relaxation.

2 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream
2 oz Grand Marnier
4 oz espresso (hot)
Whipped cream & chocolate, for garnish

Pour Bailey’s Irish Cream and Grand Marnier into mug. Add espresso. Serve hot with cream and sprinkle with chocolate.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Source: Food Network

Everyone knows that the pumpkin spice latte is the unofficial drink of fall, so of course this had to make the list. Why pay an exorbitant amount for at Starbucks when you can make it at home? It may take a little longer to do it yourself, but it will result in a drink that puts any coffee shop to shame.

Latte Base

1/2 cup tightly-packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
2 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp + 1 tsp pumpkin spice
1/4 tsp salt

In a medium saucepan, warm water and sugar over medium heat until sugar is dissolved (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat and whisk in remaining ingredients. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a glass jar. Seal jar and refrigerate up to one month. Shake or stir before use.

Latte

2 oz espresso or strong coffee
2 tbsp latte base
1 cup milk (They suggest whole milk, but any milk will work)
Sweetened whipped cream & pumpkin spice, for garnish (optional)

In a warm mug, combine espresso and latte base. Top with steamed milk. Serve hot with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice, if using.

Anti Freeze

As the name implies, this is perfect for fighting off the cold weather blues. The ingredient list is short, and the prep time is even shorter, making it one of the top contenders on this list for me. It’s basically an adult hot chocolate that will have you ready for the holidays (and the weather they bring) in no time.

1 package hot chocolate mix
1 1/2 oz Peppermint Schnapps
6 oz boiling water
Whipped cream
Maraschino cherry & peppermint stick, for garnish (optional)

Pour the hot chocolate mix into a 9 ounce glass mug. Add the peppermint schnapps and boiling water. Stir well. Top with a swirl of whipped cream. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a peppermint stick.

Hot Apple Cider

Source: AllRecipes

Apple cider always makes me think of happy days apple picking as the weather starts to cool down, thereby making it a must include on this drinks list for fall. This hot apple cider will have you feeling as good as it will have your entire kitchen smelling, guaranteed.

6 cups apple cider
1/4 cup real maple syrup
2 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice berries
1 orange peel, cut into strips
1 lemon peel, cut into strips

Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless-steel saucepan. Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange and lemon peel in the centre of a washed square of cheesecloth; Fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture. Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cider is very hot but not boiling. Remove cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle. Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving if desired.

Homemade Masala Chai (Chai Tea)

Source: The Spruce Eats

Much like the pumpkin spice recipe earlier on this list, this homemade chai tea will top any store-bought alternative 100% of the time. For all the tea-drinkers out there, this recipe will definitely be up your alley. Chai tea is one of my favourite drinks of all time because it tastes great and the spices can be beneficial in aiding the speed and health of your digestion.

2 cups milk or milk substitute
2 cups water
4 whole cloves
2 green cardamom pods, crushed
2 peppercorns, crushed
1 cinnamon stick
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp black tea leaves

In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, water and spices. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the sugar and tea leaves. Stir, and then simmer for 5 minutes. Strain into glasses or mugs and serve.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexa Nadeau is an English student at McGill University. Most of the time you can find her writing, whether it’s for academic or freelance purposes. If not, then she’s most definitely continuing her food tour of Montreal’s best restaurants.

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