11 Delicious Warm Drinks

Sunset Magazine

Drink up the warmth now that colder days have arrived with these quick and easy beverage recipes.


Layered Mocha
This cold-weather drink has a bit of everything, coffee, chocolate and cream. What's not to love?

Ingredients
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1/2 cup chopped semisweet chocolate $Click to see savings
• 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar, divided, plus more to taste $Click to see savings
• 1 cup hot brewed espresso
• 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)

Preparation
1. Place cream in a bowl and chill until very cold, about 15 minutes. Fill 4 heatproof glasses (6 to 8 oz. each) with boiling water.
2. In a small saucepan over high heat, bring 3/4 cup water to a boil. Reduce heat to low and whisk in chopped chocolate until smoothly blended. Add 1 tbsp. sugar. Stir over medium-low heat until mixture thickens slightly and coats spoon in a thin layer, 3 to 5 minutes. Cover and keep hot.
3. Whip cream with 1 tbsp. sugar until thick, but before peaks form (cream should still be pourable). Mix remaining 1/2 tbsp. sugar with hot espresso.
4. Drain water from glasses. Pour one-quarter of hot chocolate into a glass. Hold a spoon, concave side down, at about a 45° angle so tip of spoon touches inside of glass, slightly above chocolate. Very slowly, pour one-quarter of espresso over back of spoon. Repeat for each glass. Spoon thick cream onto espresso, dividing evenly between glasses. Sift a bit of cocoa over cream if you like. Serve immediately.


Warm Apple Pie Cocktail
It's the combo of spiced rum and whipped cream that make this drink taste like a slice of warm apple pie.
> Get the recipe


Moroccan Mint Tea
A blend of green tea and fresh mint leaves gives you a slight pick-me-up while also giving you calming qualities.
> Get the recipe


Cardamom Coffee
Spice up that morning cup of Joe with the warmth of cardamom pods.
> Get the recipe


Thanksgiving Star Cider
This is a nice thing to offer guests after a large holiday meal. The warmth of the cider and the slightly sweet taste are just food-coma needs.
> Get the recipe


Peppermint Stick Cocoa
This delicious holiday cocoa mix makes a great gift. But we warn you, it's so good you might end up keeping it for yourself.
> Get the recipe


Mulled Cranberry Wine Punch
You can make this punch a head of time and then just rewarm with guests arrive, which is a great offering on cold days.
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Hot White Chocolate
White chocolate is sweeter and creamier, making it a good choice for hot chocolate.
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Keoke Coffee
There are many popular coffee cocktails out there but this is one of our favorites. Whipped cream optional but highly advised.
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Garden Chai
A warm cup of spiced tea is just what cold weather calls for, and can be made with stuff you may already have growing in your garden.
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Hot Cranberry-Ginger Punch
This is a nice, non-alcoholic warm punch recipe that's a snap to mix up.
> Get the recipe