20 Best Healthy Hot Drinks to Keep Your Insides Warm & Toasty
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 year long! All are clean and refined-sugar free! You can be healthy and stay warm at the same time!
Winter Woes in Full Effect
Winter and I are not friends. Aside from a few magical snowflakes at Christmas, I mostly battle the cold, fight to stay healthy, and feel cooped up indoors. Our ’60s-era home—with its original, drafty windows—doesn’t help.
When the chill hits, I crave something warm and comforting—but not sugary hot cocoa or endless coffee. I’m always on the hunt for cozy, healthy drinks that truly warm you to the bone.
Like many of my posts, this one started with something I needed myself—hot, healthy drinks for winter.
I found so many great recipes that I had to share them with you. Some are similar with small twists, so you can mix things up or stick with a favorite once you find it.
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.
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. If you want a quick cheat sheet for healthy hot chocolate, this is a good list to go by!
20 Best Healthy Hot Drinks to Keep You Warm and Cozy All Winter
All options in this list are HEALTHY! Many are paleo or Whole30 compliant. All are refined-sugar free! Many are dairy-free.
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.
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 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!