20 Hot Drinks To Warm You Up This Winter

Hot drinks can include anything from dreamy lattes and mulled wine to fruity tea and smooth cider.

And thanks to this roundup, you’ll be happy and warm all winter long!

Nothing beats a mug of steaming coffee or tea when the weather turns cool.

That said, there are so many yummy winter drink recipes around – from herbal teas to boozy hot toddies.

I’m a sucker for a vanilla or caramel latte. But I also won’t say no to a glass of spiced apple cider.

Luckily, these hot drinks are sure to hit the spot whatever your preferences.

Let’s dive in!

20 Hot Drink Recipes From Hot Chocolate to Chai Tea

1. Homemade Chai Tea

Chai is fragrant, flavorful, and fantastic. When you whip it up at home, you can further tweak it to suit your tastes. 

This recipe is delightfully spiced. It also goes heavy on the cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.

They give it a rich, full-bodied flavor that’ll tantalize your taste buds with every sip. 

Keep in mind that this recipe makes about four cups of tea. So for a single serving, you’ll need to adjust the ratio of ingredients. 

Fun fact: chai literally means tea. So when we say “chai tea,” we’re actually saying “tea tea!”

2. Homemade Hot Chocolate

This thick, creamy hot chocolate is every child’s dream come true. (Who am I kidding? It’s my dream come true, too!)

It’s wonderfully sweet and decadent and uses just five ingredients.

Top it off with mini marshmallows, chocolate shavings, or whatever your heart desires! No matter what you choose, you won’t be disappointed.

3. Homemade Hot Apple Cider

Looking for a gorgeous, golden drink that’s perfect for fall? Hot apple cider is just the thing.

This recipe for it is the real deal, too. It’s not just warmed-up apple cider you picked up at the store.

Instead, it’s 100% homemade apple cider you’ll make from scratch.

Start with unsweetened apple juice. (Freshly boiled juice from apples is best, but store-bought is okay, too.)

Add maple syrup for sweetness, then mix in the spices.

It’s a spiced, healthy treat that your entire family will appreciate. They’ll want you to make it all autumn long. 

4. Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is so yummy and has an air of sophistication that makes it ideal for holiday parties.

It takes only 20 minutes to make this cozy, spiced drink. Plus, you’ll love all the boozy fruit at the bottom of the glass. 

Just remember, as sweet and fruity as it is, it’s still wine. That means you’ll have to keep the little ones away. 

5. Classic Hot Buttered Rum

Hot buttered rum is a creamy, buttery cocktail that’s impossible not to love.

It’s sweet, cinnamony, and wonderfully boozy. And since it calls for brown sugar, you’ll find hints of caramel in every cup.

Top it off with whipped cream for sheer decadence, and enjoy! It’s one of the tastiest ways to warm up this winter. 

6. Espresso Hot Chocolate

This seven-ingredient drink has a warm, robust coffee flavor. That said, there’s enough chocolate and brown sugar to sweeten it.

Still, you’ll need to be a coffee lover to really enjoy it. 

The heavy cream and milk give it a thick, creamy consistency. You can add a cinnamon dash to the top if you want.

Either way, it’s an indulgent pick-me-up you’re sure to love.

7. Caramel Latte

This caramel latte recipe uses just three ingredients, plus whipped cream.

Further, it’s impossibly simple to make, requiring no more than 5 to 7 minutes. 

Best of all, it tastes just like the Starbucks drink of the same name. It’s pretty much the perfect copycat and a great way to save money, too!

Serve this baby with a thick slice of banana bread, and you’ll be in coffee house heaven.

8. Cafe au Lait

Cafe au lait may sound gloriously sophisticated. But if you speak any French, you’ll know it just means ‘coffee with milk.’ 

And if that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know, then I don’t know what will. 

You can prepare this three-ingredient drink in less than 10 minutes. It’s a tasty, classic way to warm up on a cold day. 

9. Homemade Mocha

The homemade mocha packs a wallop of chocolate and coffee flavor. And it takes just 3 minutes to make!

What could be better than that?!

You’ll love its great taste and how easy it is to make. Even if you’ve never made a coffee drink before, you won’t have trouble with this one. 

You’ll need hot coffee, water, cocoa powder, sugar, and milk. You can also add heavy cream for a thicker drink and a whipped cream topping if you like.

Simple or decadent, you’re sure to love it either way.

10. Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Peppermint hot chocolate is THE ideal Christmas drink.

It’s thick, rich, and creamy with plenty of chocolate yumminess. And the minty peppermint flavor underneath makes it even better.

The luscious whipped cream topping isn’t even necessary. However, it is a decadent bonus that you won’t want to skip. 

11. Masala Chai  

This spiced, fragrant drink tastes as though it comes straight from India. It’s rich, nuanced, and features so many incredible flavors. 

There’s cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, and more.

It’s sweet, thick, and so good that it’s hard to sip. Instead, you’ll want to drink it far faster than you should. 

Try to take your time and enjoy it. After all, at only 103 calories per serving, a second cup isn’t out of the question.

12. Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

No list of hot drinks is complete without the famous PSL.

The drink is so famous, you don’t even need to spell it out! Those three letters are all you need to make a flannel-clad gal swoon.

This Starbucks copycat is a fall favorite in houses across the US. Fortunately, with this recipe, you can save yourself some money.

Make it at home from seven simple ingredients, and I guarantee you won’t even be able to tell the difference. 

13. Matcha Latte

This fun green drink is the matcha latte of your dreams.

It requires only three simple ingredients, though you may want to add extra sweetener. 

It’s a nutritious, vegan-friendly drink you’re sure to enjoy.

Plus, something about matcha lattes seems so virtuous. I always feel like a powerful eco-warrior after drinking these. 

Is that just me?

14. Hot Lemonade

What do you think of when you picture lemonade? A cool, sweetly tart, and refreshing summer drink?

Typically, that’s precisely what lemonade is. 

In this case, it’s hot, spiced, sweet, and citrusy. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for something soothing to coat your throat. 

It’s also sugar- and alcohol-free, so it’s a nutritious choice for the whole family. 

15. Original Irish Coffee

Irish coffee is the best boozy pick-me-up you’ll ever try. It’s unbelievably simple to make and needs just four ingredients. 

Grab your favorite coffee, brown sugar, Irish whiskey, and heavy cream. That’s all you’ll need to whip this up.

It’s a strong, slightly bitter drink that’ll have you dancing a jig in no time. 

Feel free to add more brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter taste. Or, go ahead and use bourbon – I won’t tell the Irish if you don’t!

16. Spiced Cherry Cider

Apple cider is a spectacular cold weather drink.

But have you ever tried cherry cider? It’s a simple mixture of apple cider, cherry gelatin, and cinnamon. 

It is so terrific!

It has the rich warmth of apples and cinnamon. However, there’s also the bright tartness of cherries.

It’s an unbeatable combination that everyone should try at least once. 

Additionally, there’s no alcohol in this version. That means you can share it with everyone!

17. Fresh Ginger Tea

If you ever have tummy troubles, bookmark this recipe.

Ginger tea is soothing, gently spiced, and delectable. It warms your stomach but calms it down like ginger ale.

It also has plenty of health benefits.

Any doctor will tell you how good ginger is for your body. Luckily, this fresh ginger tea makes it very easy to enjoy those benefits.

18. Golden Milk Turmeric Latte

This stunning drink is a spiced latte with beautiful golden color.

It tastes pretty much like any cinnamon-spiked latte you’ve ever had. But that stunning hue makes it so much more appetizing – and Insta-worthy!

Serve these whenever you want to be a little more festive or elegant. They’re sure to delight everyone who receives a cup.

19. Hot Detox Tonic

This hot, tummy-soothing drink is a spiced and spicy masterpiece. It’s energizing, invigorating, and will get your metabolism going like no other.

The goal of this recipe is detoxing, and that’s what it will do for you.

I can’t say it’s the most delicious drink on the list. But when it comes to jumpstarting a whole-body cleanse, it’s unbeatable.

20. Soothing Green Tea Latte

The green tea latte is a light, lovely drink perfect for lazy days.

It’s slightly sweet and spiced with the rich flavors of cinnamon and ginger. It’s also a terrific option when regular old tea seems boring.

I love to sip on it while reading a good book. It also pairs well with plain, crumbly cookies.

Give it a try the next time you need a crowd-pleasing brunch drink.