Cool weather is finally here to stay. The fall harvest has begun and holiday anxiety is flaring up (oh, wait, maybe that’s just me?). However, there are so many wonderful times about this time of year, many of which can be summed up with the imagery of sipping a hot beverage by the fire. Fall drinks, yum.
For those of you who are hoping to finish out 2016 strong with lots of self-care and healthy eating, you can enjoy hot fall drinks while still working to be a better you. In fact, we’ve put together a list of ten different warm beverage options to keep you cozy this fall.
10 Fall Drinks to Keep You Warm
1. Herbal Tea
Herbal tea is renowned for everything from its ability to treat acne to helping you sleep better. Not only do different types of herbal tea allegedly contain different medicinal properties, but most versions have little to no sugar and calories, making it a perfect hot beverage to squeeze into your macros.
2. Bone Broth
A hearty cup of bone broth may be just what the doctor ordered. Broth, similar to the chicken or beef stock you use in your kitchen all the time, can be made at home or purchased. You’ve probably never considered using broth or stock as a beverage, but reconsider the way you look at it. Bone broth has lots of nutritional benefits such as helping to build a strong immune system, replacing electrolytes after extensive physical activity and benefits for your hair and skin. Plus, it just tastes really yummy. This article from Nourished Kitchen does a great job of explaining what bone broth is and how to make it.
3. Cider
Can it really even be the holiday season without a hot cup of fresh apple cider?
Apple cider is relatively easy to make at home and even easier to purchase at the store. To optimize your health, be sparing with how much cider you drink and opt for homemade versions with less sugar.
4. Unicorn Fuel
One of our favorite Paleo cooks, Mary Shenouda, swears by the power of this coffee hybrid. Warning: We would not advise sipping Unicorn Fuel in the hypothetical night-time fireside scenario. That is, unless you want to stay up all night scrubbing your fire place out and possibly re-painting your living room. Try this drink out earlier in the morning. It’ll help brace you for the cold.
5. Hot Green Tea
Green tea has been a staple in oriental cultures for centuries. Although green tea is derived from the same plant that produces black tea leaves, it is processed differently and offers different health benefits ranging from hair and skin benefits to reducing the risk of certain types of cancer.
6. Turmeric Golden Milk
Turmeric is a spice used heavily in many Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. It’s known for its bright yellow coloring and has long been hailed as a homeopathic remedy for inflammation.
Turmeric golden milk, like its key ingredient, is allegedly a cure-all for basic maladies like an upset stomach or a headache. Check out this recipe and find out for yourself if turmeric golden milk is the extra “oomph” missing in your autumn season.
7. Paleo Hot Chocolate
No matter how healthy I get, hot chocolate will always be a fall and winter staple at my house. However, you can make a few adjustments to make hot chocolate a little less unhealthy for you and your family. Your waistline and gut will thank you later.
8. Spiced Almond Milk
People say that Christmas brings out the kid in everybody, so maybe a longing for a warm glass of milk before bed just comes with that territory. However, if you’re trying to stick to a Paleo eating plan or if you have a dairy intolerance, that warm glass of milk can seem like a pipe dream.
Don’t worry, Jen over at Simple Green Smoothies has your back. Check out her easy recipe for Spiced Almond Milk.
9. Chai Lattes
Skip the coffee-chain chai lattes and make them yourself for a relatively healthy and quick way to warm up this winter. Not only that, but chai lattes also boast a small caffeine boost, making it a great coffee substitute. You can check out a clean chai latte recipe here.
10. London Fog
London fogs are a cross between a tea drink and a coffee drink, meaning it’s a winner all around. These are sometimes also called Earl Grey lattes. Ask your barista to hold the sugar or substitute it with honey for a more cleaned-up version of this drink.