5 Festive Fall Drinks That Are Perfect For Chilly Days

Fall is here — which means cool, crisp days. There’s a lot to enjoy about the season, especially warm beverages that help fight the chill. When the autumn wind makes you cold, a warm drink can relax you and get you into the spirit of the season. Here are five fall drinks to warm your belly:

1. Pumpkin Spice Latte

Pumpkin spice lattes are the unofficial drink of autumn, but you don’t have to visit a coffee shop to indulge in one of these perfectly spiced delights. Here’s how to make a homemade pumpkin spice latte:

1. Brew your favorite black coffee.
2. Add in ¾ of a teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
3. Add in ⅛ of a teaspoon of cloves.
4. Stir together with ¼ of a teaspoon of ground ginger.
5. Add milk or sweetener to taste.

You can top your latte with whipped cream, cinnamon, or some fall sprinkles to make this seasonal treat your own.

2. Warm Apple Pie Smoothie 

Unlike your typical smoothie, this warm apple pie smoothie uses hot ingredients to make you feel cozy on cool autumn days. Here’s how to make a warm apple pie smoothie:

1. Boil a ½ cup of water and ¾ of a cup of your favorite milk together in a saucepan.
2. While the mixture warms, core and chop two apples. For a sweeter smoothie, use red delicious apples. If you want a more tart smoothie, use granny smith apples.
3. Combine the milk and water in a blender with the apples, a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, a ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, \a ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and one tablespoon of maple syrup.
4. Blend to your desired consistency and pour into your favorite glass.

For a healthier, more filling smoothie, add protein powder to taste. Top this “apple pie in a cup” with some apple slices and ground cinnamon for the perfect final touch.

3. Spiked Mulled Cider

All you need for this cider is fresh fruit, spices, a slow cooker, and your alcohol of choice. You can even spike the drink outside of the cooker so children can enjoy some “plain” cider. Here’s how to make this fall treat:

1. Add a gallon of fresh apple cider or unfiltered apple juice to your slow cooker.
2. Cut a medium orange into slices that are ¼ of an inch thick, and add them to the slow cooker.
3. Cut fresh ginger into slices that are ¼ inch thick, and add 1.5 slices to the cooker.
4. Add in five whole cinnamon sticks.
5. Add in a tablespoon of white cloves.
6. Put five-star anise pods into the cooker.
7. Let the mixture cook for four hours on low heat.
8. Once the mixture finishes cooking, spike it with bourbon, brandy, or dark rum.

You can serve this cider in your favorite mug set and garnish it with an orange slice and a cinnamon stick to make it more festive. This drink is perfect to share with friends and family or to brighten up your gloomy fall days.

4. Matcha Green Tea

While matcha isn’t strictly for autumn, matcha green tea can help keep you healthy and warm during the fall season. This powdered tea — which originated in East Asia — is full of fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients. The best part? It’s also delicious! Here’s how to make matcha:

1. Sift matcha powder into a small bowl or mug. This ensures that the powder doesn’t clump when you add water.
2. Add hot water or steamed milk. Whisk it in either a back-and-forth or a zig-zag motion so that the powder disperses and a foam forms on top.
3. Top with more hot water or steamed milk. Whisk until the drink foams again.

You can sweeten this soothing beverage to taste and enjoy it on any chilly fall morning.

5. Bourbon Apple Hot Toddy

Hot toddies are a classic. A hot toddy will warm you up and can even help relieve cold symptoms and seasonal allergies. Add in one of fall’s favorite fruits, and you have a flawless autumn drink. Here’s how to make a bourbon apple hot toddy:

1. Add six cups of apple cider to a saucepan.
2. Combine the cider with two tablespoons of packed light brown sugar, seeds from one vanilla bean, a few gratings of nutmeg, and a two-inch orange peel.
3. Simmer the mixture over medium heat for 10 minutes.
4. Pour the hot toddy into mugs and add a splash of bourbon.

This drink is a gentle way to soothe your body after spending time in the cold or getting the sniffles.

As the days get colder, it’s nice to have hot drinks that warm your belly and get you into the fall spirit. You can use these recipes for special gatherings or treat yourself all season long.

Featured Photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash.