With this week marking the official start of the Australian winter, Agness Walewinder of eTramping.com and Run Agness Run brings us her favourite beverages to help us get through the coming cold months.

Top 3 drinks to warm you up on a cold day

When it’s cold and dark outside, you definitely need to cozy up to a warm and delicious drink without leaving your place and standing in the line for Starbucks mixers. The good news is … you can make yourself one of these 3 awesome drinks that will warm you up in a second! They are easy and quick to make… and very affordable!

 

Mocha latte

A very creamy drink that could be a good alternative for a regular latte.

Ingredients

• 1/2 mug organic coffee
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 1/2 mug any vegetable milk (soy, almond, rice, coconut)
• tablespoon unsweetened dark chocolate
• ¼ teaspoon coconut sugar (if you prefer it sweet)

Directions

1. Brew coffee of your choice (or use one package of instant coffee) and pour into a mug.
2. Warm milk in a small pot over low-medium heat.
3. When milk is ready, use an electric milk frother to create foam.
4. Slowly pour the warmed milk over your coffee.
5. Stir in one tablespoon unsweetened dark chocolate and ¼ teaspoon coconut sugar.
6. Serve with a cookie!

 

Pumpkin juice

This tastes great when served hot with a piece of chocolate brownie. You can also add your favourite spices there if you prefer.

Ingredients

• 1/2 fresh raw pumpkin
• 1 red apple
• 1 small lemon
• 1-inch piece ginger (skin removed)
• 2 tbs organic pumpkin puree
• dash cinnamon

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a fruit and vegetable juicer
2. Discard solids.
3. Strain juice through a fine-mesh sieve before serving in glasses.
4. Serve immediately with a chocolate brownie.

 

Chai tea latte

If you are not a big fan of coffee on cold days, try this amazing chai tea latte recipe. You can make it more sweet or more spicy according to your preferences.

 

Ingredients

• 8 cardamom seeds
• 8 cloves
• 4 black peppercorns
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
• 2 cups whole/almond/soy milk
• 4 bags black tea

Directions

1. Place the cardamom, cloves, and peppercorns in a resealable plastic bag.
2. Crush them all with a heavy skillet.
3. Place the crushed spices in a medium saucepan, along with the cinnamon sticks, ginger, milk, and 2 cups water and bring to a boil.
4. Remove from heat, add the tea bags, cover, and let steep for 10 minutes.
5. Strain into cups. To each cup, add 2 teaspoons sugar or more, to taste.

 

If you liked these recipes, don’t forget to follow Angess at Run Agness Run!

Have you tried any of these? What’s your favourite winter warmer drink? Comment below!