Warm Up This Winter with One of Our All-Time Favorite Hot Drink Recipes

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Photo: Johnny Miller

Melt away winter's chill with a mug of your favorite hot chocolate, mulled apple cider, pumpkin spice latte, herb tea, or other cozy (and non-alcoholic!) drink.

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saffron latte
Gentl and Hyers

There's nothing quite like sipping a warming drink when you come in from the cold, whether that's after shoveling snow, walking the dog, or an arduous drive to and from the grocery store. For many of us, mornings (cold or otherwise) start with our everyday hot coffee or tea, but what about other times when the drink is not part of a daily ritual? There are many warming options to choose from, but we're sharing our favorite hot drink recipes for those times when you need something comforting and delightful.

If you want a twist on morning coffee, our gorgeous Saffron Latte, pictured here, is a guaranteed winner anytime of day. Looking for other coffee-based ideas? We also have a cappuccino and pumpkin spice latte sure to warm you up, and because these caffeinated coffee drinks are more luxurious (cue the foamed milk) than our usual cup of joe, sipping and savoring them feels like a real treat. Other drinks, like Turmeric and Maple Green Tea, are healthful and dairy-free but feel just as indulgent.

Hot apple cider drinks are a mainstay of fall and winter, and we've included our favorites here: one with chai spices and one heated with mulling spices. There's also a decadent take on hot apple cider that adds vanilla and calls for a whipped cream topping with honeyed walnuts—think of it like dessert in a glass.

Did you think we forgot all about hot chocolate? Absolutely not. There's a decadent candy cane-accented hot cocoa and a spiced hot chocolate made with the alt milk of your choice, but our favorite just might be the two-ingredient Nutella Hot Chocolate (actually, three ingredients if you add a dollop of whipped cream).

Next time you need to fight off winter's chill, whip up one of these warm, delicious hot drinks.

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Chai-Spiced Apple Cider

chai apple cider
The Ingalls

Cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black peppercorns, and fresh ginger enhance the flavor and aroma of apple cider in this warming drink.

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Turmeric and Maple Green Tea

Warm Turmeric Apple Cider
Con Poulos

Not only does it taste good, but this antioxidant and immune-boosting drink will actually help you feel better. It's a veritable cure-all made with green tea, apple-cider vinegar, and fresh turmeric and sweetened with maple syrup.

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Golden Latte

golden latte
Johnny Miller

Here's a dairy free, lightly spiced drink that warms and satisfies. The golden color comes from turmeric, which is blended with fresh ginger, cinnamon, honey, and coconut oil for this calming brew.

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Pumpkin Spice Latte

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No barista needed! You can make this favorite at home. Our take on the fall (and anytime!) favorite calls for strong coffee, warming spices, and plenty of whipped cream.

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Cinnamon and Orange "Tea"

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Aaron Dyer

Fruity and warming, this lightly spiced "tea" has no caffeine. It's made with the juice and peel of an orange, fresh mint, and cinnamon.

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Hot Honey Lemonade with Ginger

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Sweet and a touch spicy, kids love this hot lemonade. What makes the drink is so popular? Honey-drop candies are melted in each glass!

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Candy-Cane Hot Cocoa

candy-cane hot cocoa
Lennart Weibull

Dreamy and creamy, this peppermint-infused hot drink is made with milk and white chocolate, and a little peppermint extract. Candy canes are the obvious garnish.

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Stove-Top Cappuccino

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Jonathan Lovekin

You don't need a fancy espresso machine to craft this coffee drink. Here's how to make a deliciously foamy cappuccino using a stovetop espresso machine and microwaved milk.

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Hibiscus Tea with Lime

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Con Poulos

It's deep red-purple color and sweet, fruity taste make this flower tea easy to like. A touch of lime juice and a little honey heighten its appeal.

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Spiced Hot Dark Chocolate

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Johnny Miller

Use almond or soy milk for this dairy free and very chocolatey hot drink. Chopped dark chocolate provides the heft and cinnamon, cardamom, and cayenne the spice.

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Mulled Cider

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Warmed with cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, this take on apple cider is a hot drink kids are sure to love.

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Warm Vanilla Cider

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Like a dessert in a glass, this decadent hot drink is flavored with vanilla and topped with whipped cream and honeyed walnuts— you might need a spoon!

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Spiced Chai Latte

spiced chai latte

Black tea with spices and a foamy milk topping gives a warming boost anytime of day.

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Nutella Hot Chocolate

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Burcu Avsar

A three-ingredient treat that's hard to beat, this hot chocolate subs chocolate-hazelnut spread for the usual cocoa powder or chocolate. Dollops of whipped cream are the finishing touch.

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Warm Vanilla Milk

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Not everyone wants a hot chocolate, that's when this milky drink with a touch of vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar comes in. Swap the dairy for your favorite alternative milk if you prefer.

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