I speak from life when I say, the weather change is a stone-cold vixen. One day you're ordering from your summer wishlist and the next day you're running a high fever, blowing nose all over your work station and wishing to be dead. That's life! You never know what might hit your immunity system... especially when the calendar is on the cusp of weather change. And even though it may be inevitable but we can always be prepared or at the very least try to make things better!
And what better way to do that than curl up into the warmth of healthy but comforting and tasty hot beverages? If that's a nod of affirmation, let me point you in the direction of the best recipes for some healthy and yummy hot drinks on the internet.
1. Kattan Chai, Masala Chai & Ginger Cardamom Tea
One video, three chai recipes and thousand of die-hard tea lovers! This is what we call "written in the stars". Chai isn't just any other hot beverage but a cupful of comfort. And not just that, tea is also one such healthy drink responsible for healing our sore throat during season change. This video tutorial is an amalgamation of three fantastic teas meant to aid immunity system. All of them are stacked with antioxidant, prebiotic and medicinal properties of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and more such ingredients.
First, there is Kattan chai which is essentially a flavourful black tea, then we have everyone's favourite and cure for lethargy... masala chai, and finally, there's Ginger Cardamom tea, which is self-explanatory.
2. Mulled Wine
Straight from Jamie Oliver's kitchen, this mulled wine recipe is both healthy and tasty. You see, changing weather makes it quite difficult for wine enthusiasts to enjoy their favourite alcohol without making their throat go through unnecessary damage but that's going to change. Not only mulled wine is delicious but loaded with ingredients like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, lemon & orange juices and so on. And they all are rich in antioxidants including red wine. Now for the twist. Jamie also adds rum in the mix which BTW is also healthy and helps in decreasing cholesterol level in the body. A perfect cocktail for chilly winter evenings!
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
3. Pumpkin Spiced Latte
A drink that's good for health and taste buds could not be left out from the list of comforting hot beverages for changing season. Pumpkin Spiced Latte is like a giant hug in a mug, a sweet & spicy tale of flavours and wellness. What I like most about this recipe is the use of ingredients like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg and the best one... whipped cream (Yum!). Everything except the last one will keep the immunity system locked and loaded for whenever an illness tries to attack. So, if you're sick of blowing your nose, sore throat or in general need a culinary hug... follow this recipe and enjoy!
Image Courtesy: Freepik
4. Coconut Hot Chocolate
Here's a hot chocolate recipe from scratch. Packed with health, nutrition and versatility of coconut milk and mood-lifting neurotransmitters of dark chocolate. It's the perfect hot beverage for when you're sick and need some cheering up. Sidebar: You guys can make this recipe even better with marshmallows or whipped cream.
Image Courtesy: Chowhound
5. Kashmiri Kahwa
This comforting and healthy hot beverage might look like a piece of work but as a matter of fact, it's super easy. Take antioxidant-infused ingredients such as cardamom, cinnamon, almonds, saffron, etc. in a pan, bring to boil, wait for another 15 minutes and voila! Your Kashmiri Kahwa is ready to ease you through any kind of illness caused due to weather change.
Image Courtesy: Freepik
6. Hot Breakfast Smoothies
This youtube tutorial is a compilation of not one... not two... but four recipes of warm and comforting smoothies you can enjoy during breakfast. The first is Apple Pie smoothy which is super tasty and healthy. Then comes Chocolate Coconut Smoothie which is nothing but a giant hug. Then there's Sweet Potato Gingerbread Smoothie... and I don't know about you but I am quite tempted to try at home. And finally, Chai Pear. It's a new kind of hot breakfast smoothie with fruity goodness and warmth of the tea. Originally they're supposed to be winter smoothies but when consumed during the changing season can fill up bellies, heart and better recovery of sore throat.
7. Banana Milk Coffee
What's coffee without a little twist! And if that trick is to make banana milk from scratch and then blend it with our go-to black coffee, that's when you know it's going to be great. You can make it icy cold and piping hot, depending on your choice. However, since I am aiming towards bringing forth recipes that are good for health during season change, I think the hot one will serve the purpose better. Not only it has coffee, human's BFF but bananas. They are known to boost mood, aid weight loss, provide antioxidants along with some important nutrients to the body. Have a sip, you might fall in love with it!
Image Courtesy: Not Quite Nigella
In need of hug, comfort or warmth while suffering from cold, cough and other ailments, these hot beverages will give you what you need.