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I’m not a fan of winter. In fact, unless I’m skiing on a mountain, I’m not a fan of the cold at all. That’s why during these chilly months I do two things. One, I start planning a spring vacation to a tropical destination, and two, spend as much time as possible hibernating at home with cozy blankets, good books, and great movies.

More than just cathartic, staying indoors while the snow (or rain) is falling and the wind is blowing gives me a strange sense of calm and peace. To make these moments even better through is pairing them with delicious warm beverages. Here are a few of my favourite recipes for warm winter drinks.

Old Fashioned Stovetop Hot Chocolate

When it comes to warm winter drinks, there is nothing quite as nostalgic and comforting as a piping hot cup of hot chocolate. However, for an authentic treat, skip the powdered mix and whip up a batch the old fashioned way–on the stovetop. I found this recipe on the Live Well Bake Often website, and it does not disappoint!

 

 

 

 

What you’ll need: 

Healthy Bear Non-Stick Saucepan 

Brilliant Double-Wall Coffee Cup 

How to Make 

Serves: 4
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes 

  • 4 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 of a 1.55oz. milk chocolate bar
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: splash of vanilla extract

 

 

 

 

 
  1. Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and salt.
  3. Pour one cup of the milk into the saucepan and add the cocoa and sugar mixture. Whisk until smooth and all the lumps are removed.
  4. Add the remaining milk and whisk together well.
  5. Heat the hot chocolate mixture until very warm, but do not boil.
  6. Remove the hot chocolate from the heat and add 1/2 of a bar of milk chocolate. Mix until the chocolate is melted.
  7. Add vanilla if desired.
  8. Pour into mugs and enjoy!

 

 

 

Cold Fighting Hot Toddy

hot-toddyI didn’t know what a hot toddy was until recently when I went out for dinner with a friend who was battling a cold. She wanted something warm, soothing and delicious, but she wanted something with alcohol. I suggested the standard coffee with Baileys, but our server suggested a hot toddy, which is now on my winter weekend rotation for staying warm and feeling great … even when I’m not feeling great.

 

 

What you’ll need: 

Cuisinart Cordless Electric Kettle 

Brilliant Double-Wall Latte Cup

How to Make 

Serves: 1
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes

  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 tea bag (black or green tea)
  • 2 ounces of whiskey
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 slice of fresh lemon
  1. Boil water using a kettle.
  2. Place hot water, whiskey, and honey into a mug.
  3. Stir until honey is melted and mixed well.
  4. Add lemon juice and stir well.
  5. Add the tea bag and let it steep for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Add the lemon slice and serve.

 

 

 

Slow Cooker Spiced Wine

slow-cooker-spiced-wineIf you know me at all, you know I love my wine. But in these dreary winter months, there is something to be said about spicing things up with mulled wine made in my slow cooker. Not only is it beyond delicious, but it leaves my entire apartment smelling absolutely fantastic. It also does an unbelievable job of warming you up on even the coldest of days. This recipe is from the Well Plated by Erin website, and if I weren’t going to bed soon, I’d be whipping up a batch right now.

 

 

 

 

What you’ll need: 

Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker

Serving Ladle 

How to Make 

Serves: 6
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes

  • 1 (750ml) bottle of red wine (choose something fruity but not too sweet: Merlot, Zinfandel, or Cabernet Sauvignon all work well)
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 orange, zested and juiced
  • 5 whole cloves
  • 4 green cardamom pods
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 whole star anise
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • Orange slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish
  1. Add wine, cider, honey, orange zest, and orange juice to a 3-quart or larger slow cooker.
  2. Stir to combine.
  3. Add the cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, and star anise.
  4. Cook on low until warm, 30 minutes to one hour, depending on your slow cooker.
  5. Stir in the brandy.
  6. Ladle into mugs and serve with an orange slice and cinnamon sticks.
  7. To keep warm, leave the slow cooker on the “keep warm” setting.

 

You can never go wrong with coffee

osterLast but not least, one of the easiest ways to warm up this cold winter season is with a nice hot cup of coffee. Sure, you could brew yourself a basic drip coffee, but why do that when you can whip up café-style espresso beverages with a semiautomatic espresso machine like the Oster Prima Latte. It’s a 3-in-1 espresso, cappuccino, and latte maker that comes equipped with an automatic milk frother, which takes all the guesswork out of making your ideal coffee shop beverage. Plus, its one-touch control panel makes it as easy as pie to make your favourite drink so you have more time to spend curled up on the couch.

 

Staying warm in the cold winter months can be something to look forward to as opposed to something you dread. Rather than bemoan the miserable weather like I tend to do, look at it as an opportunity to spend more time inside staying warm with a delicious beverage with friends, family, or just with yourself.

For more ways to stay warm this winter, check out these other posts in my series:

 

Stacey McGregor
Stacey McGregor
Stacey McGregor is a marketing and communications professional based in Vancouver, BC. She has a passion for the written word, loves learning about new technology and gadgets, and enjoys sharing what she learns through Best Buy's Plug In blog.
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