Hot drinks to warm the soul through winter

LUTHO PASIYA

AS THE season of hoodies, sweaters, and thermos flasks sets in, and you feel the chill in the air, you know “winter is here”. Winter is the time to make diet and lifestyle changes to ward off the cold.

Summer is the season of refreshing milkshakes, fruit juices, buttermilk, or coconut water to keep you cool and hydrated. But with the temperature dropping drastically, it is time to switch to drinks that will keep you warm.

Hot kombucha

Kombucha is high in natural electrolytes and composed of mostly water, so it’s great for hydrating. Research shows that kombucha has such a small amount of alcohol in it that it won’t have any significant effect on your fluid levels.

Warm your kombucha by heating it in a pot with optional spices like fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks or lemon slices. Do not bring it to a full boil. Strain and pour out into a mug.

Hot chocolate

Hot chocolate is one of my favourite things in the world during the winter season (or any time that I feel it’s cold and I need a bit of comfort).

There is just nothing better than winding up on a cold winter day with a cup of steaming hot chocolate and chocolate muffins. What is good about hot chocolate is that you can always make your own at home as it is quick and easy to make. Apart from that, it is much cheaper to make it yourself. You can also add different flavours.

Chai tea

Nothing is more satisfying than sipping a good cup of chai tea in chilly weather, besides whipping up your cup, of course! Add fragrant ingredients such as black peppercorns, orange peel, cloves, cardamom seeds, fresh ginger, honey and ground cinnamon to give it a new twist in both smell and taste. Pour it into an insulated flask and curl up under your blanket and spend the winter in that manner.

Hot apple cider

There is nothing super mysterious about making the perfect cup of apple cider – it is more about the sum of its parts. The trick is to make it with several different types of apples, to help balance the flavour. Let it simmer on your stovetop and enjoy. Apples are rich sources of vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and polyphenols.

Ginger tea

Ginger tea is warming and healthy so it more than earns its place on this list. A light drink with the slow burn of spicy ginger, this is a soothing beverage to enjoy after a hearty meal or while relaxing late at night.

Bone broth

Bone broth is full of nutrients, and it’s beneficial in the winter season. Bone broth is incredibly nutritious, and including it in your diet could give a slew of health benefits in the winter season. Many confuse bone broth with meat stock. However, the two are different mainly due to the amount of time they are cooked on low heat. It is supposedly known to leach out more nutrients and minerals as the liquid cooks for longer. In order to make broth, one needs to simmer the bones for a long time.

Hot lemon water

Drinking hot lemon water is a great way to get hydrated when you want a warm drink. Hot lemon water is ideal to have in the morning before your cup of coffee because it will help get in that first cup of water before the day starts. It is great at hydrating us and giving us a tiny bit of vitamin C from the lemon.

THERE is just nothing better than winding up on a cold winter day with a cup of steaming hot chocolate and chocolate muffins. | EDWARD EYER Pexels