Are you looking for a healthy drink to keep you warm this winter? You don’t need sugary hot chocolate! Here are 20 of the best hot drink to keep your insides cozy all winter long! All are clean and refined-sugar free! You can be healthy and stay warm at the same time!
Winter Woes in Full Effect
If you know me in real life, you know that Winter and I are not friends. At all. Aside from the occasional magical snowflakes at Christmas, there’s not much else I like about winter. It’s a constant struggle to stay warm, to stay healthy, and to figure out a way to escape the house arrest I feel like I’m under.
Now, I admit, it’s MUCH better in Tennessee than it was in NY – winters are milder and shorter, so I don’t really have that much to complain about. But the struggle to stay warm indoors, without cranking the heat to unreasonable temperatures, and the struggle to stay healthy are probably at the top of my list.
Our house was built in the ’60s, and I’m pretty sure we have the original windows. Which is to say that our house is a bit drafty. My 4-year-old son walks around in his underwear, so it’s not that cold.
But still.
I struggle in winter to stay warm and stay healthy. Period.
How to Stay Warm and Healthy in Winter, from the Inside Out
In winter, I feel like we all just become bears – those extra layers of fat just get packed on while we hibernate. As appealing as that sounds sometimes, that’s just not the way I want to go.
When I’m cold, I’m tempted to reach for the Swiss Miss package, as I’m not a huge tea drinker (although this is hot cinnamon tea is an exception – love this one! Affiliate link). I don’t always want straight-up coffee as that doesn’t always warm you up down to your bones, know what I mean?
So I’m always on the hunt for a hot drink to warm and cozy up my insides without all the sugar of a hot cocoa packet with extra marshmallows.
Enter the 20 Best Healthy Hot Drinks
As how many of my posts start, I went on a hunt for something I needed myself – in this case – hot healthy drinks for winter! I wanted to share them with you because I feel like I’m probably not alone in this! Thankfully, there were so many amazing ones out there, and I’m super-excited to share this list with you. I’m sure it’s one I’ll revisit MANY times this winter!
As you go through this list, you’ll see lots of overlap. By that I mean, some similar recipes but tweaks here and there. To me, it’s enough of a variation to try all kinds of recipes without getting bored. Unless you find one you love. Then keep making that one.
Common Things You’ll See Among the Recipes
As I went through this list, I found that there were many things in common. I think that works to our benefit because you can easily mix and match and customize. Here are some commonalities I noticed:
Milk: Most of them involve milk of some kind – dairy or dairy-free: cow’s milk, coconut milk, almond milk. Usually, it’s your choice.
Coffee | Tea: Many use coffee or tea: brewed coffee, instant coffee packs, tea bags, scoops of tea. Some were just flavored milk, though, and there were a few ciders to mix it up.
Spices & Flavors: Many use a mix of spices and flavors: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla, peppermint, etc.
Unique Ingredients: Some use some out-of-the-box or unexpected ingredients: tahini, turmeric, protein powder, ghee, coconut oil.
After you get the hang of a few of these recipes, feel free to experiment with them and combine different ingredients until you come up with your own perfect, custom hot drink. But they all are CLEAN, HEALTHY, and REFINED-SUGAR FREE.
If Healthy Hot Cocoa is Your Thing…
Some people really just have that hot chocolate itch and are looking for a healthy version of that. Nothing fancy, just hot cocoa. I came across this chart from Health Central and I thought it was also a good reference to include here. Several of the recipes listed in the roundup are variations of hot cocoa, so they are worth checking out, too. But if you want a quick cheat sheet for healthy hot chocolate, this is a good list to go by!
Healthy, Cozy, Warm Drinks for the Win!
The nice thing about this list is that they are ALL HEALTHY! Many are paleo or Whole30 compliant. All are refined-sugar free! Many are dairy-free. So you really can indulge in these and know you aren’t doing major damage to your health goals.
20 Best Healthy Hot Drinks to Keep You Warm and Cozy All Winter
Healthy Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Four ingredients is all it takes to be enjoying this one! Nothing says winter like peppermint!
Hot Cacao with Cardamom + Tahini (Vegan)
This is a super-healthy version using heart-healthy cacao along with protein rich tahini and cardamom!
Warm Turmeric Cinnamon Milk
This is a great choice if you struggle to get to sleep - it's a perfect nighttime treat that will soothe you before you turn in! Turmeric is also known for its antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-aging, and anti-Alzheimer's properties!
Mexican Mocha
If you like a good coffee drink kicked up a few notches, try this one! Made with coffee, Mexican chocolate and coconut milk...oh, so good!
Healthy Chai Tea Latte Recipe
If you love chai tea, you're gonna love this creamy, healthy version of it - just 5 ingredients!
Warm Cinnamon Milk
If you just want something sweet and soothing but without caffeine, this is pure winter comfort!
Hot Vanilla Milk
While hot chocolate is a winter stand-by this hot vanilla milk is an amazing alternative to non-chocolate lovers (if that even exists)!
Almond Orange Hot Cocoa
I just LOVE this unique spin on hot cocoa! Almond and orange? Oh yes! It's dairy-free, refined sugar free and paleo!
Cherry Almond Moon Milk
If you're looking for something to help you wind down but is off the beaten path, this cherry almond moon milk is one you'll love.
MAPLE CHAI TEA LATTE RECIPE
This is another delicious spin on chai latte. Add in that pure maple syrup, and you have a sweet, soothing healthy treat.
Mulled Orange Juice
If you're looking for something a little spicy rather than creamy, this mulled orange juice will check off all the boxes! Just 3 ingredients!
Coconut Matcha Latte
If you're looking for another tea option, this coconut matcha latte is a great choice! Only 4 ingredients, and it also boosts metabolism! Big win with that!
Spiced Golden Milk Hot Cocoa
This drink packs so much flavor! With turmeric, ginger and cinnamon in the mix (even a pinch of nutmeg and pepper), this will warm you from the inside out!
Mocha Latte
For another yummy coffee option, this one blends cacao powder, vanilla powder and coconut milk! It's paleo and Whole30 compliant!
Cinnamon Coconut Latte
For a super-filling drink, this is a step-up from bulletproof coffee and oh so yummy and creamy! Made with coconut oil and ghee, you'll get your dose of healthy fats in as well!
Banana Milk Coffee
I've seen many ways to sweeten up coffee, but this is the first time I've seen banana! I CANNOT wait to try this one!
Warm Honey Vanilla Milk
Not only is this warm and soothing, but it's one you can give the kids to help them wind down for bed. Bigtime win for mom!
Almond Milk Chai Latte
Oh this one will hit the spot! Almond milk, chai, yummy spices and coconut whipped cream. Settle in for this one!
Homemade Apple Cider
Don't forget about apple cider! It's not just for fall! Made from all natural ingredients and refined sugar free!
Healthy Copycat Starbucks Gingerbread Latte
If you are missing Starbucks Gingerbread Latte (like me), give this one a shot! It's healthy - dairy free, sugar free and paleo!
Healthy Goals All Winter Long
I hope these drinks will get you through the winter, keeping your insides warm and cozy and healthy! If you are looking for some more resources to help you stay healthy, I have a lot of healthy recipe round-ups that are clean | paleo |Whole30.
If you want warm, cozy food to eat before you have that healthy hot drink, you can try these healthy soup recipes and these healthy crockpot recipes – these will heat you up, right to your bones!
If you’re looking for healthy dinners, these are my favorite healthy go-to dinners all year long!
And if you just want to nosh and don’t really want a big meal, try these healthy appetizers – these will hit the spot every time!
Thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!
Hi! Thanks so much for rounding up this list; I’m looking forward to trying them! I thought you might like to try something I came up with last fall—I call it Cranberry Cider. Fill a mug 2/3 full with apple cider, then fill the remaining 1/3 with cranberry juice. Heat it and add a cinnamon stick to the mug for 5 minutes. It’s delightfully cozy. Have a good day!
Oh that sounds amazing, Melissa! Thank you so much for sharing that with me! I hope the readers will scroll down to the comments to see your idea!