Toast the Hot-Drink Season

source: SodaHead Opinions

One of my most favorite indulgences during the winter months, and the cold nights they bring, are the deliciously hot liquid refreshments! I enjoy curling up in a warm, woolly blanket in a comfy armchair in front of a roaring fire with a nice hot cup of cocoa (with marshmallows and whipped cream)!

Now, perhaps cocoa isn't your hot drink of choice, but lucky for you, there are oodles of hot drinks one can enjoy on such a night (boozed up or dry!).

Cafe au Lait
French for "coffee with milk," this drink commonly uses a French or similar dark roast and heated milk.
image source: xb3@flickr

Irish Coffee
A lovely cocktail consisting of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar all stirred together and topped with whipped or thick cream; a variation of the Hot Toddy.
image source: The Wize Buzz

Mulled Cider/Wine
Red wine or cider combined with cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, citrus fruit slices, and sugar and served hot!
image source: My Recipes

Mexican Hot Chocolate
Hmmmm, essentially hot chocolate with bittersweet or Mexican chocolate, sugar, and cinnamon!
image source: Lynn Aa'Isha's Blog

Hot Toddy
Any beverage (coffee, cocoa, apple cider, etc.) served steaming hot with spirits (brandy, whiskey, etc.) and sweeteners - most of the drinks on this list can be considered Hot Toddies. According to Wikipedia, Hot Toddies were created in the 18th century to make scotch more palatable to women.
image source: Acupuncture and Herbs

Spiced Chai Tea
A Chai tea is essentially black tea (not green tea) brewed with selected spices and milk; you can add ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, etc. to your heart's desire.
image source: How Art

Two of my favorite recipes are David Lebovitz's Mexican Hot Chocolate and a simple Spiced Chai Tea:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup milk or soymilk
• 2 bags of black tea
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 slice fresh ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp allspice

Bring water to a boil. Add tea bags, reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove tea bags and add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain and serve hot.

Find more hot drink recipes below!

• Taste of Home's Hot Beverages
  A hot beverage is savored when chilly weather returns after summer.
• Country Living's Warm Winter Drinks
  When the temperature drops, warm things up with a tempting cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa.

Take advantage of the coziness that comes with the winter season. Melt away those winter blues and toast the hot-drink season!