Recipe for Winter Warming Drinks: Herbal Teas to Help You Stay Warm This December
When December arrives, the wonderful warmth and comforting duvet with calming beverages on hand are irresistible. With the holidays quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to start considering beverages that will keep you warm and promote wellbeing. For the next chilly months, herbal teas like peppermint and hibiscus are the ideal companions. These teas are rich of taste and health benefits, making them perfect for sharing with loved ones, warming up on a chilly morning, or unwinding after a hard day.
The Warmth of Hibiscus Tea
Most popular for its bright, ruby-red hue and naturally sour but refreshing flavor, this flavored cold-weather drink often evokes memories of summertime. But hibiscus can also make a warm and festive addition to winter tea rotation. Notably, hibiscus is bursting with immune-modulating antioxidants to help weather those frigid temperatures, providing all sorts of health-related goodness, everything from aiding cardiovascular balance to cleansing the system and improving digestion.
One of the great things about hibiscus tea is its versatility. It can be enjoyed on its own or combined with a variety of other ingredients to create unique, winter-inspired flavors. Here's a simple recipe for a cozy hibiscus tea blend that will surely keep you warm this winter.
Winter Hibiscus & Ginger Tea
Ingredients:
• 1 tablespoon of dried hibiscus petals
• 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger, grated
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tablespoon of honey (optional)
• 2 cups of water
• 1 slice of lemon (optional)
Instructions:
1. Boil the water in a pot.
2. Add the dried hibiscus petals, grated ginger, and cinnamon stick to the boiling water.
3. Allow the ingredients to steep for about 5–7 minutes, giving the tea its deep, rich red color.
4. Strain the tea into a cup and stir in honey to sweeten if desired.
5. Add a slice of lemon for a refreshing touch or enjoy as is.
A fine blend of tart-sweet hibiscus and burning-hot ginger with a comforting flavor of cinnamon; this cocktail definitely would warm your cold nights in winter and after excessive holiday meals.
Wintertime Classic: Peppermint Tea
A traditional wintertime beverage, peppermint tea is prized for its calming effects and delicious taste. After a heavy Christmas feast, peppermint tea, which is frequently used to help with digestion, is a great option. It's also ideal for warming up on a chilly day because to its refreshing, cool flavor. Beyond only its taste, peppermint tea has long been used for its health advantages, which include lowering stress and relieving headaches.
However, the subtle warmth that peppermint tea imparts in a calming, even healing way is one of the most evident reasons it is a wintertime favorite. Peppermint tea has a strong potential of becoming that festive beverage, whether it is enjoyed with loved ones or by yourself in solitude.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Tea:
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of dried peppermint leaves
- One cup of milk (or a milk replacement)
- One tablespoon of cocoa powder
- One tablespoon of optional sugar
- Half a teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Optional whipped cream for garnish
- Optional: crushed peppermint candy as a garnish
Directions:
- To prepare a potent peppermint infusion, boil the peppermint leaves in two cups of water for approximately five minutes.
- Heat the milk in a different pot over medium heat. Add the sugar and chocolate powder. Continue stirring until the chocolate has melted and the milk is heated.
- Add the vanilla extract to the milk mixture after straining the peppermint tea.
- Transfer the tea into a cup and garnish with whipped cream and crushed peppermint, if preferred.
This peppermint hot chocolate tea is perfect for any night by the fire and serves as a great pick-me-up to serve at holiday gatherings. Rich cocoa mixes with refreshing peppermint for a delightful flavor balance that will keep you warm all season long.
Benefits of Herbal Teas During the Winter
Apart from the delicious flavors of herbal teas such as hibiscus and peppermint, they offer a few other benefits, especially when it's cold outside. Considering the proximity of Christmas, it is required to be in good condition both physically and mentally. In that regard, here is how herbal teas are a helpful inclusion in your diet for the winter season.
- Immune Support: The richness of Hibiscus tea in vitamin C makes it one more way to strengthen the immune system and potentially lower the risk of seasonal colds or flu.
- Digestive Aid: Peppermint tea can help settle an upset stomach and aid digestion, thus being perfect after heavy holiday meals.
- Stress Relief: Peppermint canhave a calming effect to reduce stress and tension, while hibiscus has been shown to help lower blood pressure, allowing you to feel more relaxed and centered during the busy holiday season.
- Hydration: While winter tends to be a dry season, it’s important to stay hydrated. Herbal teas can be an enjoyable way to increase your fluid intake while benefiting from the health-boosting properties of the herbs.
Infusing Your Teas with a Holiday Feel
As Christmas draws near, you can spice up the teas listed above with a little holiday happiness. Simply add some cranberry juice to your hibiscus tea to add some seasonal color, or add some cinnamon or nutmeg to your peppermint hot chocolate tea to offer a festive touch.
Lastly, for a unique and aesthetically pleasing garnish, add edible flowers, citrus slices, and fresh herbs.
To produce your ideal winter beverage, you can also combine hibiscus and peppermint with other winter plants like chamomile, ginger, or lemon balm.
Concluding remarks and motivation
The winter months are a time for introspection, rest, and above all giving. These herbal teas provide more than just a cup of hot tea as Christmas draws closer; they also provide people a chance to look for themselves and those around them.
Whether one enjoys peppermint hot chocolate tea with loved ones or a cup of hibiscus tea after a hard day of holiday shopping, these drinks are a great way to add cheer, health, and warmth to the season.
Therefore, indulge in herbal teas this December when the chill sets in and the festive mood permeates the air. Take tiny sips, unwind, and allow the comforting tastes of peppermint and hibiscus to remind you of the season's tranquility and beauty.
At Akshar, we think that the natural substances have the ability to cure, nourish, and unite people. I hope your holidays are full of coziness, health, and the comforting hug of a cup of tea.
Stay cozy this December! Explore more delicious and health-boosting tea for the holiday season.
Enjoyed these cozy tea recipes? Let us know in the comments which one you’re excited to try! Don’t forget to share with your friends and family so they can enjoy these festive drinks too!
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