The festive season is steaming towards us, heralded by frost bleached fields and sharp winter air. I would say it’s a relief after such an unexpectedly sweltering summer, but numb fingers are never a happy place!
Me? I like to spend the colder months with a scolding hot mug clutched to my chest, preferably with about five layers of fuzzy woollen blankets – and this year is no exception. Now, I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that if, like me, you’ve been living mainly on Starbucks coffee and optimism, it’s time for something new. Maybe a little bit of Christmas flare...
Here are the most sumptuous homemade hot drinks, just waiting to fill you with that holiday feeling:
1. Red Velvet Hot Chocolate (Vegan)
https://www.thegreenlife.ca/red-velvet-hot-chocolate/
thegreenlife
Okay, believe it or not, this super photogenic spin on the age-old hot chocolate gets its fabulous colouring from beetroots. But please don’t panic. It still tastes great. In fact, you’ll continue loving this drink the day after you’ve drunk it because it’s totally good for you. Yes, I know. Healthy hot chocolate just sounds wrong. Suffer through it for the vampire aesthetic, then sleep easy because it’s sugar-free and vegan.
Look here for the full recipe.
2. Matcha Hot Chocolate
I wish I’d laid eyes on this witchy drink in time for Halloween. But I guess it’s all seasonally appropriate and kind of Christmas tree green. Thankfully, that comes from the matcha powder, not kale. If you’re a matcha latte fan, then this is the jackpot. And Matcha was trending last year, mostly because it's so good for you and has been noted to improve weight loss!
Look here for the full recipe.
3. Hot Pumpkin Spice Drink
This cosy little drink is somewhere between a pumpkin spice hot chocolate and a pumpkin spice latte. The ultimate evening drink, and a delicious substitute for that early morning coffee if caffeine turns you into a shivering wreck. Also super quick and easy to rustle up.
Look here for the full recipe.
4. Peppermint Hot Chocolate (Vegan)
Another interesting spin on your bog standard hot chocolate, this one is amazing. A lot of vegan alternatives are a bit try hard and bland, but this recipe uses almond milk and dark chocolate to get that sublime, creamy note. Maybe the littlest bit indulgent, but sometimes you have to feed the soul, right?
Look here for the full recipe.
5. Lavender Hot Chocolate
I’ll admit this isn’t normally the sort of combination that immediately jumps to mind when you’re craving that sugary hit but stick with me. This creative wonder was put together by the smart people over in the Hollywood state of California and mixes dark chocolate with milk chocolate. So stop judging the lavender and give it a go, because that unique twist takes this winter treat to a new level.
Look here for the full recipe.
6. Hot Chocolate With Cinnamon And Orange Liqueur
This is hot chocolate, with an evil secret. As much as we all love Christmas and the inevitable family gatherings, I’m going to come right out and say it; it’s not all fun and games, especially if you forget to defrost the turkey. Ahem. Anyways, this one belongs at the end of a long day. There is a sans liqueur version, but who has time for that?
Look here for the full recipe.
7. Slow Cooker Gingerbread Latte
What if you could have the gingerbread biscuit and the coffee, all in one, at the same time, ensemble? Well, here it is. This is just like a latte, and just like a gingerbread biscuit, and just awesome. Even better, it’s a lazy slow cooker latte, so sit back and watch that Netflix show while the slow cooker does its slow cooker thing.
Look here for the full recipe.
8. Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
The hot chocolate craziness just never ends. But hot chocolate is maybe the best thing ever, so I’m cool with that. Did anyone else spend their childhood sticking up their mouths with solid spoonfuls of peanut butter? This hot chocolate is the dignified alternative that allows you to actually speak to other people while you scratch that peanut butter itch.
Look here for the full recipe.
9. Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa
This one is the essential cheat day cuppa. I really don’t think it includes anything healthy whatsoever. With the modern world overrun with diet aficionados, it can only be right to fight back.
Look here for the full recipe.
10. Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate
Last but certainly not least is this Christmassy favourite. Does anything smell more like Father Christmas and bulging red and white stockings than chai? Revel in the chocolate overload while summoning those Christmas vibes.
Look here for the full recipe.
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Simran more than 4 years ago