A Mug in Both Hands Is a Small Cold-Weather Luxury

As the weather turns colder, a hot drink does more than satisfy thirst. The warmth of the mug in your hands and the aroma rising from it make it one of the simplest comforts of the season. These five recipes range from quick to slow-simmered, and all of them can be made without any special equipment.

Mulled Apple Cider

This is the classic fall and winter pot, and it fills the kitchen with a spiced aroma. Combine a half gallon of fresh apple cider in a large saucepan with two cinnamon sticks, five or six whole cloves, a few slices of orange, and a few slices of fresh ginger if you like a bit more zing. Heat gently until the cider is steaming, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes so the spices infuse.

Strain or ladle it out carefully, leaving the whole spices behind. It holds well on the stove over low heat for serving a crowd, or in a slow cooker set to warm, which is handy at a gathering.

Rich Stovetop Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate made from scratch tastes far richer than anything from a packet. Whisk together two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, two tablespoons of sugar, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan with a splash of milk to form a smooth paste. Slowly add about a cup and a half of milk, warming over medium heat and whisking until hot but not boiling. Stir in a half teaspoon of vanilla and, for extra depth, an ounce or two of chopped dark chocolate until melted.

Top with whipped cream or marshmallows. A pinch of cinnamon or a dash of cayenne gives it a bit of warmth and complexity.

Homemade Chai Latte

Chai is a spiced tea simmered with milk, and making it at home is easier than it seems. In a saucepan, combine a cup of water with a few cracked cardamom pods, a cinnamon stick, a few black peppercorns, a few whole cloves, and a few slices of fresh ginger. Bring to a simmer, add two black tea bags, and steep for about five minutes. Add a cup of milk and sweeten with honey or sugar, then heat gently until steaming and strain into mugs.

The spice mix can be adjusted to taste, with more ginger for heat or more cardamom for a floral note.

Golden Milk

This caffeine-free, turmeric-based drink has a warm, earthy flavor. Whisk together a cup of milk (dairy or plant-based) with a half teaspoon of ground turmeric, a pinch of cinnamon, a small piece of fresh grated ginger or a pinch of ground ginger, and a pinch of black pepper, which helps the body absorb turmeric’s compounds. Heat gently, stirring until steaming, then sweeten with a spoonful of honey or maple syrup.

It makes a soothing, mild evening drink, and many people enjoy it before bed.

Spiced Cranberry Tea

For a tart, bright option that suits the holiday season, simmer two cups of cranberry juice with two cups of water, a cinnamon stick, a few cloves, and a few strips of orange peel for about ten minutes. Add a couple of black tea bags in the last few minutes if you want a bit of caffeine, then sweeten with honey to taste.

It’s a lively alternative to cider and works well in large batches for a party.

Tips for Better Hot Drinks

Use whole spices when you can, since they infuse more cleanly than ground ones and are easy to strain out. Warm milk gently and avoid boiling it, which can cause scorching or a skin on the surface. Taste as you go and adjust the sweetness at the end, since flavors concentrate as the drink simmers.

Settle In

A pot of something warm on the stove is one of the best ways to take the edge off a cold afternoon. These recipes are easy enough for a weeknight and special enough for company, and each of them makes the house smell wonderful along the way.