Winter Blessings and Beauties, Day 17: Recipes - Warming Winter Drinks

 

It's an unremittingly grey and stormy day. Wind blusters and buffets the house, and constant rain blurs the valley, creeping through every opening and trickling down my collar. Brrr! This is the perfect excuse - if one were needed - to snuggle by the fire with a nice mug of spiced apple juice. Spiced apple juice is the simplest of recipes, quick to prepare yet warming and soothing. Or if that doesn't appeal, why not try one of my other suggestions?

Winter Blessings and Beauties: Day 17

Warming Winter Drinks

A hot drink on a cold winter's day warms the body, soothes a dry or sore throat and puts a smile back on your face. Here are a few suggestions to thaw you out. 

• Hot Spiced Apple Juice: Add a generous pinch of ground cinnamon, a few cloves and a cardamom pod to a mug of apple juice. Heat in a saucepan or the microwave to just below boiling point. Strain out the spices and enjoy! You can also experiment with adding other fruit juices to the mix - pear, blackcurrant, plum or a spoonful of elderberry syrup are all tasty additions.
• Golden Milk: You can use cows milk or vegan substitute - I find oat milk works well. There are lots of recipes out there on the internet, but this is how I make it. To a mug of milk, add 1tsp turmeric, ½tsp ground ginger, ½tsp ground cinnamon, pinch of black pepper, pinch of cardamom. Heat the milk to just below boiling point. Strain out the spices and stir in honey to taste. This is supposed to be good as an anti-inflammatory. I'm not sure if it helps my arthritis or not, but it tastes so good, who cares?
• Flavoured Hot Milk: I find a mug of hot milk before bedtime really does help with a restful night's sleep, and it means I get into bed feeling nice and toasty! You can use dairy milk or a vegan substitute, and if you want to add flavour and sweetness, put in a splash of one of the syrups you can buy to flavour coffee. My favourites are either vanilla or hazelnut syrup, but there are many different ones to choose from, including cinnamon, caramel, gingerbread, amaretto, pumpkin spice or strawberry.
• Hot Blackcurrant: Simply make up blackcurrant cordial with hot water instead of cold. Serve it in a mug. Hot blackcurrant cordial is wonderfully comforting when you have a cold.