As the weather gets colder, we all look for ways to get and stay warm. You may be breaking out your sweaters, dusting off boots, and pulling out those warm socks, but there are other ways you can stay warm throughout fall and winter. One such method is to eat and drink warming foods.
One of my favorite ways to add heat to my diet is to enjoy tea, soup, and broth throughout the cold months. However, other warm drinks can raise your core temperature, while delighting your taste buds.
Autumn Drink Ideas
Staying warm in cold weather can boost your immune system, improving your ability to fight common illnesses like cold and flu. Here are several drink ideas that will keep you cozy, warm, and nourished throughout the season:
1. Black, green, white, chai, or herbal teas.
Drinking any variety of hot tea - or even coffee - will help you get and stay warm throughout the cold weather. However, some warming herbs and spices can be added to your favorite teas or be drunk as tea by themselves. These include ginger, mint, cinnamon, cloves, and fennel. Actually, the ingredients that comprise the popular pumpkin spice mix are generally very warming and are a great addition to any fall or winter drink.
2. Lemon, honey, hot water, and a spice like ginger or cayenne.
This common sore throat remedy is a nourishing drink that can be enjoyed at any time. Here is a recipe that works for most people’s taste buds:
1 pint warm or boiling water
½ lemon, juiced
1 tbsp honey
½ tsp cayenne or an inch of ginger root, roughly chopped
Mix the above in a large glass and taste. If you know the mixture won’t suit your tastes (too sweet, too much lemon, or too much spice) reduce or increase appropriate ingredients.
3. Coconut milk with turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and a sweetener of your choice.
Warm coconut milk with other warming spices is a sweet, tropical treat that will keep you warm inside and out.
1 cup coconut milk
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ginger or about an inch of ginger root, roughly chopped
Honey or maple syrup to taste
Warm the coconut milk in a saucepan or pot. Turn off heat and stir in spices. Take a taste and then add the appropriate amount of sweetener to satisfy your palate.
4. Apple or pear cider
There seems to be cold pressed apple or pear cider available everywhere here in Portland. You can find it at Farmer’s Market, in New Seasons, and even on some street corners. Warm up this seasonal drink by:
1 cup apple or pear cider
1 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin spice (whichever you prefer)
Simply warm up your cider and add the spice you enjoy most. If it seems a little too spicy, warm up a little more cider and add it until the drink tastes perfect!
5. Almond milk with pumpkin spice, honey, and cocoa powder
Many of us crave unhealthy drinks like hot chocolate in the fall and winter, but you can make a sweet treat without all of the sugar with this simple mix. You will need:
1 cup almond or coconut milk
1 tsp pumpkin spice or cinnamon
1 tbsp cocoa powder
Honey to taste
Warm the milk in a saucepan or pot. Turn off the heat and mix the spices and cocoa powder. Take a taste - then add honey until the drink is sweet enough for you.
Finally, you can enjoy bone broth as a warming, healthy drink. You can find my recipe for bone broth here.
If you are hoping to boost your immune system and stay warm during fall and winter, be sure to make an appointment here at AOM Health. I am happy to provide holistic solutions to your health concerns.