Coffee & Beverages

3 Wintery Coffee Drinks to Warm You Up from the Inside Out

Whether you want to kick-start your morning with a more energizing eye-opener or serve up a festive caffeinated beverage to loved ones as you gather around the fireplace this season, these three wintery coffee drinks are sure to boost the cozy atmosphere.

3 min read

Alisha McDarris

Nov 18, 2023

When the temps drop and winter winds or falling snow bring a chill to the air, it can take more than your average cup of coffee to convince you to crawl out from under the blankets and start your day. Why not swap your standard morning sip for a more exciting winter coffee drink? The three recipes below are perfect for cooler seasons, including the holidays and beyond.

First things first: Before you make these winter coffee drinks, you’ll need to brew some coffee. There are dozens of ways to do that, and everyone has their favorite. For a foolproof method, start with whole beans and grind them yourself, using a ratio of 16 grams of coffee to 300 grams of water per serving for a standard-strength brew. Measure with a food scale, and don’t be afraid to make your brew a bit stronger than usual when you’re making one of the drinks below, since you’ll be combining the coffee with milk and other ingredients. A more intense brew will help ensure the coffee flavor really shines through. Pro tip: Store your coffee wisely to preserve its taste and freshness.

Now, which type of coffee maker should you use? Whether you want to make a single cup or a carafe, this 12-Cup Coffee Maker is up to the task. If you make a whole carafe ahead of time, the insulated vessel will keep your coffee hot, or you can program the compact machine to auto brew. Either way, you’re bound to brew a perfect cup with little hassle. Another option is to grab your French press, add your grounds to the bottom of the pitcher, pour in hot water, and let it steep for four minutes. If you prefer to make just one or two cups, reach for a pour-over coffee maker, place a paper filter in the cone, add your coffee grounds and pour hot water into the tank: Done.

Now that your coffee is made, mix up one of these delightful drinks for yourself or a houseful of friends and family to enjoy over the holidays, or all season long.

Dirty Chai

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What makes a chai dirty? The addition of coffee, of course. Traditionally, that’s in the form of a shot or two of espresso, but if you don’t have a countertop machine at home, brewing coffee in other ways still yields a tasty drink. This recipe may take a bit more prep time than the others, but it’s more than worth the effort in the end, and it makes enough for a whole group (or for just you to enjoy over a couple of days).

Ingredients

6 thin slices fresh ginger

6 cardamom pods

10 whole cloves

1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

2 sticks cinnamon

3 pieces star anise

5 cups water

6 bags or 6 teaspoons black tea or loose leaf tea

3 cups milk or milk alternative

4 teaspoons brown sugar or maple syrup

2/3 cup per serving strong coffee

Directions:

Add all the spices to a large pot and place it over medium-high heat. Stir the spices in the bottom of the pan for a few minutes until they’re all slightly toasted and fragrant. Then add water and bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes.

Remove the pot from the heat and add the tea bags. Steep for another 5 minutes (3 minutes for loose leaf tea). Add milk and your sweetener of choice and bring to a simmer once more to reheat.

Pour the contents through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher or thermos, then pour 1 cup out into a mug along with 2/3 cup of hot coffee. Serve immediately, adding more sweetener to taste if desired. (The rest of the chai can be stored in the fridge for a few days.)

Peppermint Mocha

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Is there any more wintery flavor pairing than chocolate and peppermint? In this classic recipe, they come together for a delicious quaff.

Ingredients

1/2 cup milk

3/4 cup coffee

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

2 teaspoons peppermint syrup or an ounce of peppermint schnapps (for a boozy version)

Optional: whipped cream and a peppermint stick for garnish

Directions:

In a pot, combine the milk, coffee, cocoa powder and peppermint syrup and cook over medium heat, whisking almost constantly. If using peppermint schnapps, wait to add it until you pour your mocha into a mug.

When the concoction reaches about 140º (if you don’t have a thermometer, lots of steam is a good indicator), remove from heat and transfer to a mug.

Top with whipped cream if desired (and the schnapps if you’re using that), and add a peppermint stick for even more minty flavor.

Gingerbread Latte

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Love gingerbread cookies? Make this beverage, and enjoy sipping your flavorful spices instead of munching them.

Ingredients

1/2 cup milk

3/4 cup coffee

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon molasses

1 teaspoon sugar

Optional: whipped cream and a pinch of ground ginger and cinnamon for garnish

Directions:

In a pot, combine the milk, coffee, cinnamon, ginger, molasses and sugar and warm over medium heat, whisking regularly to keep the milk from scalding.

When the concoction reaches about 140º (if you don’t have a thermometer, plenty of steam is a good indicator), remove from heat and transfer to a mug.

Top with whipped cream if desired, and add a sprinkle of ground ginger and cinnamon to really make the smell and flavor of gingerbread pop.