Hot chocolate has a way of bringing the Christmas spirit into our homes. There is nothing quite like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day.
Winter is the perfect time to try some new holiday-themed drinks. Most of the time when we think of drinks, we think of alcoholic drinks. While there is nothing wrong with drinking in moderation, not everyone enjoys alcohol and some people are working on their sobriety. With this in mind, it is good to know a few non-alcoholic drinks to have on hand for guests during your holiday celebrations.
Here are five non-alcoholic drinks to try this year:
1. Eggnog
One non-alcoholic winter drink to try this year is eggnog. It is common for people to add alcohol to eggnog; however, try it without alcohol this year and see what you think. I didn’t try eggnog until a few years ago during Christmas time, and it was much better than I had thought. Since I’m not a big fan of eggs, I thought I would not like eggnog. The truth is that eggnog does not really taste like eggs despite its name. Eggnog is more of a rich, sweet drink that tastes like Christmas.
If you haven’t tried eggnog yet, give it a try and see what you think. Making eggnog from scratch can be hard; therefore, if you don’t want to make it from scratch, you don’t have to. Instead, you can purchase eggnog from the grocery store. You can purchase whichever brand you think looks the best which also aligns with not being too expensive. As someone who has to watch their budget, I have found that the name-brand items can be a little expensive, but the “off-brand” can be just as good and be half the price.
Whether you choose to pick the name brand or the off-brand, the eggnog will be sure to add fun to your holiday season. Winter is a glorious time to try new drinks because some drinks are seasonal, meaning they won’t be offered year-round. Eggnog is one of these drinks as it is not offered throughout the year. Pick up some eggnog the next time you are at the grocery store and see if you want to offer it at your next winter celebration.
2. Make-your-own Hot Chocolate
A second non-alcoholic winter drink to try this year is to make your own hot chocolate. My mother used to love to make her own hot chocolate as the colder months started. She used cocoa powder, milk, whipped cream, and cinnamon to sprinkle on the top. What was different about my mom’s hot chocolate is that instead of boiling water, she boiled milk. This gave the hot chocolate a richer taste because of the milk.
She would place the cocoa powder in individual cups, boil the milk, pour the milk into the cups, and mix the cocoa powder with the boiled milk. After fully stirring the drink together, she would top it with whipped cream and dash a sprinkle of cinnamon on the top. Maybe this could be your next favorite hot chocolate too! If you don’t feel up to making your hot chocolate this year, you can always pick up a pack at the store and make it any way you want. Also, if you are allergic to milk, make sure to use boiling water instead of milk in order to prevent any stomach upset.
Hot chocolate has a way of bringing the Christmas spirit into our homes. There is nothing quite like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day. Even if you live somewhere that stays warm year-round, hot chocolate has a way of making you feel ready for Christmas time. This winter, try to make your own hot chocolate and see if it becomes your new favorite winter drink.
3. Hot Apple Cider
Hot apple cider is a third non-alcoholic winter drink to try this year. For many people, hot apple cider might not be their thing, and that is alright. However, if you are someone who enjoys apple-tasting treats, and a taste of citrus and cinnamon, this drink is definitely for you. For most people, hot apple cider is either a miss or a win, but try it out to see what you think. Even if you have not liked hot apple cider in the past, try it a second time with extra citrus and cinnamon and see if your mind changes.
Whether you are going for a brisk morning walk or are staying up late watching a Christmas movie, hot apple cider is the perfect addition to your activity. You can make your own hot apple cider or you could pick up a box at your grocery store. I haven’t personally made my own hot apple cider, but it could be a fun activity to try this winter. Since winter causes us to be inside more often than we are in the summer, making our own hot apple cider could be a fun activity to try on a snowy day.
4. Chamomile Hot Tea
A fourth non-alcoholic winter drink to try this year is chamomile hot tea. While I understand not everyone enjoys hot tea, I personally have always loved hot tea since I was a teen. My mom started making hot tea for my sisters and me at nighttime, and it quickly became one of my favorite parts of the day. She used pre-made tea bags and allowed the tea bags to soak in the boiled water for 10-15 minutes before serving it. Her secret ingredient was adding in honey to give the hot tea a sweet taste. On the days we were out of honey, the hot tea wasn’t as sweet.
Maybe you have passed on hot tea because you thought it didn’t taste very good. It could be that you had hot tea without a little bit of honey in it. Try hot tea again and this time, add some honey to it–consider adding peppermint and lemon too. It could be that honey will make a world of difference. When you are choosing the type of hot tea you want, look at all your options at the grocery store. Chamomile is a classic choice, which is why I mention it; however, you can choose whichever flavor looks good to you.
5. Pumpkin Spice Coffee
Pumpkin spice coffee is a fifth non-alcoholic drink to try this year. Sadly, I cannot have coffee because the caffeine triggers my migraines; however, many of my friends are obsessed with coffee. Not only do my friends enjoy coffee, but most people can’t go a day without their favorite coffee. If you are a person who loves coffee, pumpkin spice coffee might become your new favorite winter drink. Even if you are hesitant of the pumpkin taste, try it out and see if it is your thing.
You can either make your own pumpkin spice coffee or you could go by a coffee shop and purchase one. Coffee can be difficult to make, therefore, there is no shame in buying your coffee from your favorite coffee shop. By getting out of the house, it can give you the opportunity to go Christmas shopping, do errands, or just take a self-care day. Pumpkin spice coffee can get you in the spirit of Christmas and brighten your day. Whether you try to make your own pumpkin spice coffee at home or you get one from your favorite coffee shop, it will be sure to make your winter more vibrant!
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Jill Wellington
