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Pumpkin spice lattes reign supreme during autumn. Yet there are other–better!–hot beverages to enjoy. If you’re sick and tired of PSLs, then try one of these delicious delicious drinks.
No marshmallows here! A delightful kick of cinnamon and a hint of cayenne elevates this childhood favorite. If you’ve never tried making hot chocolate at home, it’s not as hard as you think. The result is far superior to the powdered packages, too.
For basic hot cocoa, all you need is 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1-2 tablespoons of sugar, and a cup of milk (or milk substitute).
Heat the milk over the stove, then whisk in the other ingredients. I like mine with a little vanilla, a pinch of cinnamon, and just a dash of cayenne. If you like a richer flavor, whisk in a square of unsweetened baker’s chocolate, too.
Before pumpkin took over the season, fall and apples went together like… fall and apples. Enjoy a glass of iced cider–or heat it up with some cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.
Honeycrisp apple cider is especially delicious, if you can find it at your grocery store. Even better, if you live near an orchard you can get fresh, local cider.
You can mull your own cider at home. Bring a half gallon of cider to a low simmer on the stove and drop in a cloth bag or bundle of whole spices. Cinnamon sticks, allspice, and cloves are perfect here. You can also add some dried orange peel and ginger.
Craving those warming spices but don’t dig on coffee? A nice chai latte might be the solution. Personally, I like an iced chai with non-dairy milk, but you can enjoy chai hot or cold. Black tea provides the caffeine you need, while the heady blend of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and other spices warms you from the inside out.
If you don’t have chai teabags at home, you can make your own concentrate on the stovetop. Steep one teabag for every cup of boiling water, and just like with the mulling spices, add a bundle of whole spices tied up in cheesecloth.
Every cook’s spice blend is different, but cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger are a must. You can sweeten the concentrate now with sugar or honey, then simply add milk and serve.
If you haven’t tried horchata, you’re in for a treat. This traditional Mexican beverage shares a lot of ingredients in common with rice pudding. The basic recipe is made with rice, almonds, cinnamon, and sugar, but it can be dressed up in a lot of different ways. This is a great substitute for eggnog if you can’t do dairy or eggs.
Horchata is a little more difficult to make at home compared to the other beverages on this list. The process is similar to making nut milk or even cold brew coffee.
