Winter is the perfect time to enjoy a warm, cozy drink—especially when it's cold outside and you want something to make your family feel extra snug! While hot cocoa is a classic, there are plenty of other delicious and fun drinks that can be just as warming and festive. Here are five winter-inspired hot drinks for kids that don’t include hot cocoa but are just as tasty and exciting.
Cinnamon Apple Cider
Nothing says "winter" like the comforting scent of warm apple cider spiced with cinnamon. This simple, fragrant drink will fill your home with the cozy smells of the season, and it's perfect for both kids and adults.
What You Need:
- 4 cups apple juice or cider
- 1-2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- A pinch of ground cinnamon (optional)
- Sliced apples for garnish
How to Make It:
- Pour the apple juice or cider into a saucepan and heat over medium heat.
- Add the cinnamon sticks and stir in the honey or maple syrup if you want extra sweetness.
- Let the cider warm up, but do not bring it to a boil—just heat until it's nice and hot.
- Pour the cider into mugs and garnish with apple slices or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.
Why It's Fun:
The warmth and spice from the cinnamon, combined with the sweetness of the apple cider, make for a deliciously cozy drink. It's the perfect treat for chilly afternoons or a winter evening!
Gingerbread Latte (Kid-Friendly Version)
A festive twist on the popular gingerbread flavor, this kid-friendly latte is made without coffee, so your little ones can enjoy the spicy-sweet taste of gingerbread in a fun, frothy drink.
What You Need:
- 2 cups milk (or dairy-free milk)
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Crushed gingerbread cookies for garnish (optional)
How to Make It:
- In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it’s warm, but not boiling.
- Stir in the molasses, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract.
- Continue to heat the milk, stirring constantly until everything is well mixed and the drink is hot.
- Pour the gingerbread latte into mugs and top with whipped cream and crushed gingerbread cookies for extra fun!
Warm Vanilla Steamer
For a super simple and creamy treat, a warm vanilla steamer is a perfect option. This drink is like a warm hug in a cup—sweet, smooth, and comforting for kids of all ages!
What You Need:
- 2 cups milk (or dairy-free milk)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Whipped cream (optional)
How to Make It:
- Pour the milk into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until it’s warm but not boiling.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and honey or maple syrup if you want to add sweetness.
- Continue heating until the milk is hot and frothy.
- Pour the vanilla steamer into cups and top with whipped cream for a fun treat.
Cranberry Citrus Hot Drink
This tangy and refreshing drink is full of vibrant flavors and makes for a perfect winter pick-me-up. The combination of cranberry and orange is festive, bright, and perfect for kids to enjoy throughout the season.
What You Need:
- 2 cups cranberry juice (100% pure)
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1/2 cup water
- Fresh cranberries and orange slices for garnish
How to Make It:
- In a small saucepan, combine the cranberry juice, orange juice, water, and honey or maple syrup.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is hot but not boiling.
- Pour the hot drink into mugs and garnish with fresh cranberries and a slice of orange.
Hot Pear & Honey Drink
For something a little different, try this warm pear and honey drink. It’s light, naturally sweet, and a great way to enjoy the flavors of winter fruits in a soothing hot beverage.
What You Need:
- 2 pears, peeled and chopped
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon honey
- A pinch of cinnamon (optional)
How to Make It:
- Place the chopped pears and water in a saucepan. Bring it to a gentle simmer and cook for about 10 minutes until the pears are soft.
- Use a spoon or potato masher to mash the pears into a puree (if you prefer a smoother texture, you can also blend it in a blender).
- Stir in the honey and cinnamon, then let the drink cool slightly before serving.
- Pour into mugs and enjoy!
Cinnamon Apple Cider
A warm, comforting drink that will fill your house with the sweet scent of apples and cinnamon. This simple, non-caffeinated drink will give your kids the feeling of being wrapped in a warm blanket.
What You Need:
- 4 cups apple juice or cider
- 1-2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- A pinch of ground cinnamon (optional)
- Sliced apples for garnish
How to Make It:
- Pour the apple juice or cider into a saucepan and heat it over medium heat
- Add the cinnamon sticks and honey/maple syrup (if using).
- Stir occasionally and let it heat up until warm, but not boiling.
- Once warmed, pour into cups and garnish with apple slices or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.
Snowman Smoothie
What You Need:
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk (or dairy-free milk)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Orange slice (for nose)
- Mini chocolate chips (for buttons and eyes)
- A straw (optional)
How to Make It:
- In a blender, combine the frozen banana, yogurt, milk, and honey/maple syrup. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into a cup.
- Use the orange slice as the snowman's nose, and place mini chocolate chips to create eyes and buttons.
- Add a fun straw, and your snowman smoothie is ready to sip!
Winter Wonderland Lemonade
Transform regular lemonade into a sparkling, wintery drink with a dash of cranberry juice and a sprinkle of “snowy” sugar. This tart and sweet beverage is a hit at holiday parties or just as an afternoon treat.
What You Need:
- 2 cups cold lemonade
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice
- Ice cubes
- Sugar (for the rim)
- Fresh cranberries or mint leaves (for garnish)
How to Make It:
- Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Pour lemonade into the glass, followed by cranberry juice. Stir to mix.
- Dip the rim of the glass in a little water, then roll it in sugar to create a "snowy" effect.
- Garnish with a few fresh cranberries or a sprig of mint.
Frosty Fruit Punch
This frosty fruit punch is colorful, fun, and can be made with just a few simple ingredients. It’s perfect for a festive winter gathering or a special treat after a day of winter activities.
What You Need:
- 2 cups pineapple juice
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- Ice cubes (optional: freeze some juice to make ice cubes)
- Fresh fruit like orange slices, berries, or pineapple chunks
How to Make It:
- In a large pitcher, mix together the pineapple juice, orange juice, and cranberry juice.
- Serve in glasses filled with ice cubes (you can even freeze some of the fruit juices in an ice cube tray for extra flavor!).
- Garnish with slices of fresh fruit like orange wedges or berries for a pop of color.
Gingerbread Milkshake
Bring the flavors of gingerbread cookies into a cold, creamy milkshake! This drink is like dessert in a cup, and it’s easy to whip up for an after-dinner treat or a special winter celebration.
What You Need:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1/2 cup milk (or dairy-free milk)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Crushed graham crackers or cookie crumbs for garnish
How to Make It:
- In a blender, combine the vanilla ice cream, milk, ginger, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into glasses, and top with whipped cream (if desired).
- Sprinkle crushed graham crackers or cookie crumbs on top for a fun touch!
This article was created with help from ChatGPT
