It’s the middle of the Fall semester. As if to indicate the coming of December, temperatures drastically drop, and winds begin to mercilessly chill people to the bone. If there’s anything more needed in this cold and busy time of the year, it’s a hot drink. Not only is it a great hand-warmer, but it also adds flavor to your daily life. Hot drinks are cheap and easy to make inside your comfortable home. Each sip also serves as a pleasant pastime in the midst of finishing up that pesky busywork or studying late-night for an exam. Plus, the pandemic and weather create a wearier situation of going outside to your local Starbucks or Dunkin’. Here are some delicious drinks that you can make in your own kitchen.
- Coffee
-
In a nostalgic way, I miss the college morning rush of grabbing a quick coffee with milk before nearly missing my bus to class. Coffee is one of the greatest supporters of my college life, and the lack of Starbucks and the $1.50 brew from a college café hasn’t stopped me from getting my early caffeine boost. While coffee and tea both give a substantial wake-up call, the former has a much stronger taste. The deeper, bitter flavor of coffee makes it perfect for customizing. My go-to is either a pump of mocha or two teaspoons of sugar, but you can add countless other types of flavorings. For some holiday pizzazz, try some peppermint mocha or pumpkin spice to go with the seasonal atmosphere.
- Green Tea
-
After my morning coffee, my next pick-me-up is a cup of brewed green tea in the afternoon. If you want a more down-to-earth and simple drink, green tea will suit your mood better than coffee. This drink also has excellent health benefits due to the number of antioxidants it contains, and it even helps you with weight loss! Drinking matcha is a much more popular way to enjoy the flavor of green tea. However, you might not want to spend at least $3.50 every time you want a matcha latte. I would suggest buying a container of matcha powder of your own because just like coffee, it’s always cheaper to make this drink yourself. To get some really high-quality matcha, buy it from a reputable Japanese tea company such as Ippodo Tea.
- Lemon Tea
-
Lemon tea is one of my favorites, particularly because it is effective for tempering colds. This excellent source of vitamin C pairs well with ginger and a dollop of honey. I recommend trying a version with the Yuja, a citrus commonly used throughout East Asian cuisine. While lemon has a fresher aroma, Yuja’s taste is more tart with a hint of orange flavor. Instead of waiting for a tea-bag to seep, all you have to do is mix a syrupy mixture with hot water and enjoy! If you would like to start your tea-drinking habit, start by ordering a selection of samples. This allows you to taste each of the more popular flavors. An excellent place to get the sampler is Harney and Sons, a company with a reputation for high-quality teas.
- Honey Milk
-
The mixture of creamy warm milk and smooth honey is incredibly effective for a melancholy chilly evening. It’s the perfect drink to settle down with when you’re relaxing in a snug blanket and ready to read a book or after a long, tiring day. This ultimate comfort drink can be modified in various ways due to the simplicity of its ingredients. All you really need is honey and milk, but you can also use a recipe with many other ingredients. Personally, I just like to add a pinch of ground cinnamon for a deeper fragrance. If you prefer to use a plant-based milk alternative, I found that almond milk goes surprisingly well with honey, especially if there’s a touch of vanilla to it. Try experimenting with different kinds of milk, honey, and spices to suit your own tastes.
- Hot Chocolate
-
Perhaps the most iconic winter drink, this familiar, rich, and chocolatey taste will immediately warm you up. It’s pretty much the winter version of a sundae in summer, the perfect seasonal sweet treat. There are a couple of options for making hot chocolate. For the sake of my convenience and laziness, I use the instant powder mix, as any kind of hot chocolate is adequate for me. However, chocolate-lovers might find a homemade version using real cocoa a better option to satisfy their cravings. Pop in a few (or more) marshmallows, and spray some cool whipped cream on top for extra decadence.
Take a sip from one of these drinks, and they will help take you to a momentary break with its warm flavors. Whether you prefer to mix instant powder or use your own ingredients, creating a daily hot drink for yourself allows you to focus ahead on your daily tasks. It’s always important to add a boost of relaxation to your day of hard work