Now that the weather has gotten colder, all I want in my hands is a warm beverage. So, to spread the warmth, here are my three favourite winter drinks I have enjoyed this season. 

#1 Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is a classic drink often found at Christmas markets. Served warm, this is a rich beverage filled with flavours of citrus and various spices. While this recipe takes a bit more time than others, it’s worth the effort, and as a bonus, your whole apartment will smell delectable for the next few hours! One important thing to note is that if you heat the wine for too long, the alcohol will evaporate.

Time Required: 45 minutes 

Servings: 6 

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of red wine (a fruitier wine is better, but use whatever is cheapest or what you have on hand)
• 2 cups of apple cider 
• ¼ tablespoons of honey or maple syrup (add more or less to the desired sweetness level)
• 1 orange sliced into rounds
• 8 whole cloves
• 2 whole star anise 
• 4 green cardamom pods 
• 4 full cinnamon sticks 
• ¼ cup Amaretto or Brandy (amaretto will make a sweater mulled wine) 

Directions:

1. Add wine, cider, honey, and orange slices to a large pot and stir until just combined.
2. Next, add the cloves, cardamom, cinnamon stick, and star anise.
3. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. 
4. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 30 minutes (do not let it come to a boil). 
5. Stir in the Amaretto/Brandy, and it’s ready to serve.

#2 London Fog

The London Fog is the perfect accompaniment to a cozy afternoon inside on a cold winter’s day. It warms you up and keeps you awake with its small amount of caffeine. In this recipe, there is a splash of vanilla for those of you who have a sweet tooth, but this can always be substituted for a sugar-free vanilla or taken out altogether. What makes this drink so great is how little time it takes to prepare! 

Time Required: 15 minutes

Servings: 1 

Ingredients:

• One Earl Grey tea bag (If you don’t like Earl Grey, you can make this drink with another tea you have on hand.)
• 1 oz vanilla syrup or ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 8 oz of your milk of choice 

Directions:

1. On the stovetop, warm your milk to around 150 C to 160 C or until it is steaming (alternatively, microwave the milk in the microwave for 30-second intervals).
2. Take your pot off the stovetop and place your Earl Grey tea bag into the milk. Steep for 3 to 5 minutes (note that the length of time you steep your tea will change the strength of the tea flavour). 
3. Pour the vanilla into a mug and mix in your steeped milk mixture. 

Tip: I enjoy my London Fog with some biscuits! 

#3 Snickerdoodle Hot Chocolate

Grab your favourite mug and get ready to try a new staple winter drink, the Snickerdoodle hot chocolate. This recipe is for those who like their drinks on the sweeter side. 

Time Required: 15 minutes

Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of milk of your choosing 
• ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt 
• ⅔ cup of white chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon 
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 
• ⅛ almond extract 
• Whipped cream* (can be store-bought or homemade)

Directions: 

1. Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring continuously, until all ingredients are combined and the chocolate chips have melted. 
2. Serve, adding whipped cream on top.