There is nothing better than a tasty hot drink to refresh yourself on humid autumn and winter days. Many hot drinks, such as herbal teas, are not only delicious, but are also good for our body, counteracting water retention and promoting digestion. They are also precious allies in case of colds or flu. For some, a nice steaming hot chocolate is also a perfect comfort food to recharge with energy and relieve stress.
The protagonists of the recipes we propose are spices, from ginger to cinnamon, up to cloves, one of the typical ingredients for the preparation of mulled wine. Here are some ideas that can inspire you to drink something hot and find warmth on rainy days (and not only).
Pumpkin Spice Latte
To make your own Pumpkin Spice Latte at home, start by heating the milk with the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and spices. Mix well until the milk becomes hot and creamy. Add the brewed espresso and vanilla extract, stirring to combine all the ingredients. Serve the drink in a cup and, if you like, garnish it with whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon or pumpkin spice.
You can customize the recipe according to your tastes, adding more or less sugar or spices. For an even more autumnal touch, try adding a little maple syrup.
Cinnamon hot chocolate
Hot chocolate is a classic way to fight the cold. But not only that. According to a recent study, this drink would be able to protect against heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases thanks to the flavonoids in cocoa beans.
But how can you enrich traditional hot chocolate with flavor? Just add some powdered spices to its preparation, such as cinnamon or chili pepper, but also vanilla or sweet paprika, depending on your tastes. You can prepare it at home without using sachet mixes, starting with dark chocolate, bitter cocoa and potato starch, to obtain a truly creamy chocolate.
Punch
Punch is an alcoholic drink used at the end of a meal as a digestive. It is often consumed after being reheated. There are numerous variations for preparing punch. We have collected 5 different recipes for you, coming from the Italian and international tradition. Among the punch ingredients that are most linked to winter we find citrus fruits and alpine herbs.
Mulled wine
Mulled wine is a hot wine made from red wine, spices and sugar. The most used spice for the preparation of mulled wine is represented by cloves, but nutmeg and cinnamon are often also added. Mulled wine dates back to peasant tradition and is typically served on winter evenings next to the fireplace.
Irish Coffee
Irish Coffee is a drink of Irish origin based on hot coffee laced with whiskey produced in Ireland and sweetened. The main characteristic of Irish Coffee is given by the presence of whipped cream. To prepare it in a vegan version, simply replace the classic cream with 100% vegetable whipping cream. Sweeten your Irish Coffee with a teaspoon of brown sugar. The Irish recipe uses a cup of long coffee, to which a small glass of whiskey is added. The cream is whipped with the shaker.
Parampampoli
Parampampoli is a typical alcoholic drink from Valsugana, composed of coffee, sugar, wine, grappa, honey and other flavourings. To best taste Parampampoli you will have to pour, after shaking the bottle well, the desired quantity into a saucepan with a thin bottom, bringing the mixture to the boil as quickly as possible. When the first bubbles appear, set it on fire with a match and, stirring occasionally, with the flame still lit, pour it into sturdy cups. The original recipe for Parampampoli remains a secret kept by the Purin family, but in Valsugana you can enjoy versions of the drink served over a flame that come close to it.
Hot apple cider drink
To prepare hot apple cider you will need: 1 bag of green tea or black tea, 1/2 lemon, thyme, cinnamon, star anise and lemon slices for garnish, 30 ml of apple cider, 45 ml of whisky. Pour some boiling water with a tea bag into a cup, leaving room for the whiskey and cider. Combine all the ingredients in the cup, garnish and drink while still hot. You can change the quantities of ingredients according to your tastes.
Pumpkin hot chocolate
It is a very particular version of hot chocolate, which involves adding a few pieces of boiled and blended pumpkin to the preparation of the drink. You can prepare your pumpkin puree and mix it with milk, including vegetable milk, to heat and in which to melt 3 or 4 squares of white or dark chocolate per person. If necessary, use an immersion blender. You can garnish with whipped cream and ground cinnamon to taste.
Ginger and lemon decoction
The ginger and lemon decoction will immediately warm up your winter. Bring 250 milliliters of water and two slices of fresh ginger to the boil for each cup. Leave to simmer for 15 minutes, with the lid on. Filter and pour into a cup, adding the juice of a lemon and a slice of lemon. You can add a few mint leaves and sweeten to taste.
Christmas herbal tea
To prepare a Christmas herbal tea, with its warming and digestive properties, bring 250 milliliters of water to the boil per person, adding 2 teaspoons of karkadè, a small stick of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon of mallow and 1 teaspoon of chamomile flowers. Leave to simmer for 10 minutes, filter and serve.
Hot lemon drink
5 minutes are enough to prepare an excellent hot lemon drink. For one person you will need a cup of water, 4 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest, 1 teaspoon of classic or vegetable butter, 1 pinch of cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick to decorate. In a saucepan, heat the water, lemon juice and zest and sugar until it has dissolved. Pour into a cup with a teaspoon of butter (even vegetable) and add a cinnamon stick or a pinch of ground cinnamon. Mix well and sip it while it is still hot!
Chai Masala tea
Chai Masala is a mixture of spiced black tea, milk (also vegetable) and a variety of aromatic spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, black pepper and cloves. It is a drink rich in flavor and very hot, ideal for counteracting the cold and for stimulating digestion thanks to the properties of the spices. You can prepare it directly at home using black tea leaves, or buy ready-made blends.
Rosemary and honey drink
This drink is simple but very effective against sore throats and to strengthen the immune system. Simply bring some water to the boil and add a sprig of fresh rosemary. Leave to infuse for a few minutes, then sweeten with honey and, if you like, a little lemon juice. It is ideal for warming up and giving relief to the respiratory tract.
Warm vanilla almond milk
A sweet and velvety drink, perfect for a relaxing break. It is prepared by heating almond milk with a vanilla pod or a teaspoon of vanilla extract. You can also add a sprinkle of cinnamon for a spicy touch. It is a comforting drink, excellent both as a snack and as an alternative to traditional hot milk.
Hot drink with lavender and honey
This drink is perfect for relaxing at the end of a long day. Make an infusion with dried lavender flowers and boiling water. Leave to infuse for a few minutes, then sweeten with honey. Lavender has calming properties and helps reduce stress, making this drink ideal for promoting sleep.
