Warm drinks for winter: Top 10 most comforting drinks

Which hot winter drink will you be enjoying this year?

1. An infusion of chicory seeds with honey

Yes, the granulated chicory is enjoyed with coffee. But you can also enjoy it infused in water. What’s its advantage? It’s mild, caffeine-free, with a light caramelized taste.

Our recipe: Bring ½ liter of water to the boil in a saucepan. When simmering, remove from heat and add 1 tablespoon chicory seeds. Leave to infuse for 2 minutes. Filter and pour into a mug. Finally, add a tablespoon of honey for sweetness… or a tablespoon of maple syrup. Its woody taste is a perfect match for the caramelized chicory.

2. Spiced hot chocolate

Of course hot chocolate is one of our favorites… But not just any hot chocolate. Our recipe?

Heat 25 cl of milk (per person) in a saucepan, and infuse 1-2 cloves, depending on taste. Grate 25 g dark chocolate (85% cocoa) into shavings. When simmering, lower the heat and add the shavings, 1 lump brown sugar and a turn of the pepper mill. Whisk over low heat until the chocolate melts. Before serving, remove the cloves and add a cinnamon stick.

Gourmet friends, you can replace the dark chocolate with white chocolate (and leave out the sugar).

3. Caramel chicory with almond milk

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best. For a delicious warm winter drink, all you need is almond milk and chicory-caramel powder Leroux.

Heat the equivalent of a cup of almond milk. In a large mug, pour 2 teaspoons of caramelized chicory. Then pour in the simmering milk, stir and enjoy. Fancy a little extra indulgence? You can add a teaspoon of whipped cream.

4. Warm ginger and honey lemonade

Do you like lemonade? You’ll love it even more warm, or hot, by the fire this winter.

For two drinks: squeeze 5 fine lemons into a saucepan, and add 1-2 tablespoons of honey. Grate 1 cm of ginger, and add to the mixture. Add more water if necessary, and heat over low heat. Enjoy immediately.

5. Vegan chai latte

We already mentioned spiced chai in our article on alternatives to coffee (with a delicious recipe for golden milk). Today, we unveil… a vegan alternative. It’s easy: simply replace the animal milk with plant-based almond or soy milk.

Place the milk, 1 teaspoon black tea, ½ stick cinnamon, a few turns of the pepper mill, 2/3 cloves and a few cardamom seeds in a saucepan. Bring to the boil. Turn off the heat and leave to infuse for 3 minutes. Strain, and enjoy while still hot.

6. A (classic) Viennese chocolate with almond milk

Classic… but a must! Our recipe? Bring ½ liter of milk to the boil (for 2 cups), and add 150g of chocolate pieces over a low heat. Whisk until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon honey and 1 pinch cinnamon powder. Leave on a low heat for ten minutes. Whip 20 cl of liquid cream with a whisk or food processor. Pour the drink into a mug and top with whipped cream.

7. A (classic) Viennese coffee

We take the same and start again… or almost! For coffee lovers, you can replace the previous chocolate with a short (and intense) espresso. Top with whipped cream and enjoy.

8. A good mulled wine* with spices

You don’t have to be at a Christmas market to enjoy a good mulled wine. For a bottle of red wine (ideally woody), you’ll need

– 250 ml water

– 250 ml sugar

– 1 cinnamon stick

– 1/2 vanilla pod

– 10 cloves

1 orange

Recipe: bring water, sugar, cinnamon and half a vanilla to the boil. Lower heat and simmer. Then add the squeezed orange juice, peel and cloves, and simmer for half an hour. Finally, add the red wine, bring to the boil and then turn off the heat. You can leave it to stand overnight… or enjoy it straight away (preferably filtered).

9. Spicy hot orange juice

For those who don’t drink alcohol, and for children, hot orange juice will replace any mulled wine before, after or during a Christmas market!

Heat 1 liter orange juice with the juice of half a lemon, 2 tablespoons honey, 20 g caster sugar, 3 cinnamon sticks, 3 cloves and ½ vanilla pod. Heat over low heat for fifteen minutes, strain and enjoy while still hot.

10. Eggnog

Traditionally, this drink is enjoyed at Christmas time in English-speaking countries… But between you and me, it can keep you warm all winter long*. The recipe? Separate the yolks and whites of 4 eggs. Mix the yolks with 50g caster sugar. Heat over low heat, adding 50 cl warm milk, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon… like a custard after all. When the custard coats the back of the spoon, remove from heat. Add 1 vanilla pod, cut in 2, and 25 cl rum. Stir one last time before pouring into a mug and enjoying.

One last tip (before you head off to the kitchen): these hot drinks are perfect for Christmas or any other winter evening with the family.

*Alcohol is dangerous for your health. Drink in moderation.