Warm holiday beverages to sip on are a must-have while you’re spending quality time with your family this Christmas. Not only will warm holiday beverages help warm you up on a cold night, but they’ll also fill you with holiday spirit.
Drinking warm holiday beverages is just as important as listening to Christmas songs and wearing a Christmas sweater. Let’s get you into the holiday spirit by sharing some of the best festive beverage ideas that are warm, comforting and tasty. We’ve decided to share our favourite family-friendly, non-alcoholic drinks, although it’s quite easy to make adult versions of these as well. Below are 5 holiday beverages that taste delicious and will also keep you warm and cosy this Christmas:
1. Candy Cane Hot Chocolate
It’s common knowledge that peppermint pairs perfectly with chocolate, and this Candy Cane Hot Chocolate drink is a holiday spin on the classic peppermint hot chocolate recipe.
To get that peppermint flavour, you’ll mix your warm hot chocolate with crushed pieces of candy cane. The warm, rich hot chocolate will melt the candy cane pieces and infuse your hot chocolate with peppermint, candy cane flavour.
Over the stove, heat your hot chocolate until it’s hot, but not boiling. This works best when you’ve made hot chocolate with your milk of choice and semi-sweet chocolate, rather than the version of hot chocolate made with water.
Once it’s hot on the stove, whisk in 1 crushed candy cane (that’s been crushed into small pieces) until those candy cane pieces have melted into your hot chocolate. Pour this mixture into a holiday mug, and garnish with whipped cream and 1 intact candy cane to be used as a flavour-infusing stir stick.
Ingredients:
- Hot Chocolate (made with milk)
- 1 crushed candy cane mixed in
- Whipped cream
- 1 intact candy cane as a garnish
2. Warm Eggnog with Nutmeg
Probably one of the most classic, easiest warm holiday drinks to prepare: all you have to do is pour some of your favourite store-bought eggnog into a pot and warm it on the stove. Transfer the warm eggnog into a Christmas mug, sprinkle in some cinnamon or nutmeg, and garnish with whipped cream.
Ingredients:
- Eggnog
- Whipped cream
- Nutmeg or cinnamon
3. Eggnog Hot Chocolate with Vanilla Extract
A festive spin on hot chocolate: simply mix some warm eggnog into your warm hot chocolate. Try making your cup ⅓ eggnog and ⅔ hot chocolate. Add a couple of drops of vanilla extract. Top with whipped cream and enjoy!
Ingredients:
- Eggnog (warmed)
- Hot chocolate
- Vanilla extract
- Whipped cream
4. Warm Maple-Infused Apple Cider
Warm apple cider is a lovely warm holiday drink on its own, but you can spice up this classic quite easily. Simply pour apple cider into a saucepan with a teaspoon or two of maple syrup, and toss in a couple of slices of orange peel as well as a couple of cinnamon sticks to infuse more flavours. Place the saucepan over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cider is hot but not boiling.
Ingredients:
- Apple cider
- Maple syrup
- Orange peel
- 2 cinnamon sticks
5. Gingerbread Latte
If you’re looking for a pick-up-up, a warm Gingerbread Latte always tastes incredible, especially when paired with a gingerbread cookie. If you stir in a big dollop of whipped cream, you’ll add some nice thickness and more sweetness, making it extra decadent.
Ingredients:
- Any type of milk
- Gingerbread flavored syrup (2 – 4 pumps)
- 1 shot of espresso (optional)
- Whipped cream
While making these warm and tasty holiday beverages, it’s important to note that you can add, but you can never subtract. This means when using sweet ingredients such as gingerbread-flavored simple syrup, you should add a small amount, taste it, and add a bit more until you’ve reached your desired sweetness.
Many of these holiday beverages taste even better with whipped cream. However, it’s important to check to see if you have any genetic food intolerances and find out if you’re lactose intolerant before you add whipped cream. If you’re lactose intolerant, you can use nut milk and skip the whipped cream, or use a dairy-free version of whipped cream in your drink.
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