Autumn hot drinks to warm up and boost immunity on cold days

Bored of tea or plain mulled wine? If you like to experiment with drinks and want to chase away autumn fatigue, you will definitely like our ideas for autumn inspiration.

Autumn weather is characterised by tiredness and a reluctance to do anything. Sickness from weather changes and reduced immunity lurks around every corner, even from lack of sunshine.

However, vitamins and energy can be replenished in creative and tasty ways. Fruit, sweets or even alcoholic beverages?

Soft drinks

Cooked citrus fruits with honey

Citrus fruits themselves contain a wealth of vitamins, especially the essential vitamin C. They boost immunity and, together with honey, make an unbeatable pair.

• Lemon
• lime
• grapefruit
• 2 oranges
• 4 cloves
• 2 star anise
• 2 pieces of whole cinnamon
• piece of ginger
• honey

Wash the lemons, limes, grapefruits and oranges thoroughly. If you want less, just one of each.

Cut the washed ones and put them in about 0,75 l of hot water, which is still heating in the pot.

To the chopped fruit add cloves, star anise, cinnamon and you can also add a piece of chopped ginger.

When the "drink" is properly cooked, let it cool down a little so that you can add two tablespoons of honey.

If we add honey to a drink that is too hot, it will lose many simple substances and vitamins.

Serve in mugs and preferably strained without any leftover spices or fruit. Alternatively, we can add parts of orange or grapefruit pulp to taste.

Hot apple with ginger

The apple is a great helper in the fight against constipation, heart attacks and stress. Ginger is anti-inflammatory and contains antioxidants. Together they make a great pair in the time of autumn.

• 5-6 apples
• ginger
• 6 cloves
• 2 whole cinnamon sticks
• turmeric
• honey

Cut up 4 properly washed apples and one larger piece of fresh ginger. Of course, add ginger to taste. Some people like it strong and some like it a little less.

Grate or juice one apple.

Each according to their own abilities, it is important to have at least a little apple juice. Depending on taste, it can be more.

Add about half a litre of water and bring to the boil. Of course, we must not forget the cloves and cinnamon, which we also add to the pot.

For those who like to experiment, we can add a little turmeric, which gives the drink an exceptional taste.

Serve again well simmered and after cooling, flavour with honey.

Hot cocoa with chilli

Cocoa helps fight stress, cardiovascular disorders and cholesterol. It also contains antioxidants and even the neurotransmitter serotonin, which has a positive effect on the nervous system and recharges us with energy. Chilli, on the other hand, helps with digestion and, as you know, is a great aphrodisiac.

• 250 ml of milk
• 2-3 teaspoons of good quality Dutch cocoa
• A pinch of chilli

You need milk. One cup is enough for one person. Mix Dutch cocoa and a pinch of chilli in a bowl or on a plate.

Stir the mixture well in the milk with a whisk.

You can prepare the cocoa in a mug right on the stove or you can heat the mixture in the microwave. It is important that it is hot, but not too overcooked.

Delicious chocolate with spices

Chocolate is enjoyed not only by gourmets, but also by people with blood pressure problems. It contains blood pressure-lowering substances, which helps to reduce heart attacks and cholesterol levels.

• 0,5 dcl of milk
• 6 tablespoons granulated hot chocolate
• Turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper

For this simple hot drink you only need milk and granulated hot chocolate in the base.

It's up to you what kind of chocolate you use. White, milk or dark.

For experimenters: turmeric is good in white, cinnamon in milk and black pepper enriches the flavour in dark.

Use the spices in the chocolate very carefully, there should only be a hint. So only add tiny pinches.

Sweet matcha cappuccino

Matcha is considered a green miracle for many reasons. The main one is that it recharges us with a good dose of energy. It also increases attention span, which will please especially students. Combined with hot chocolate, it is a soothing and antioxidant miracle.

• White hot chocolate
• coconut milk
• whipping cream
• matcha tea
• whipped cream, caramel balls

In a mug, melt the white chocolate in the coconut milk and cream. Use about 5 tablespoons of chocolate, about 2 dcl of milk and 1 dcl of whipped cream.

When everything is nicely combined, stir in about 1½ teaspoons of matcha tea.

You can garnish with frothed milk or cream and it tastes best with caramel balls.

Alcoholic drinks

Apple classic with vodka

• 6 dcl apple juice or cider
• 2 dcl water
• 3 whole cinnamon sticks
• 6 cloves
• 1 lime
• honey or stevia
• 1 dcl vodka

Pour the apple juice, water, lime juice and spices into a saucepan. You can also add fresh apples cut into small cubes. It is best to wash and peel them thoroughly.

Stir well. When everything is hot, add the vodka. Simmer together for a while.

When slightly cooled, flavour with honey or stevia.

Vanilla bomb with whisky

• vanilla pudding
• 6 dcl milk
• condensed milk
• vanilla pod
• 3 dcl whisky

Make a classic pudding, just add more milk so it's not too thick.

If the pudding is still too thick, you can add whipped cream before cooking.

Whisk the condensed milk with a whisk, stir with a whisk and finally very gently stir in the whisky.

Add the vanilla pod at the end.

Serve hot and garnish with whipped cream and a topping such as maple glaze.

A magical rum drink

• 8 dcl milk
• 40 g butter
• 1,5 dcl brown rum
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• vanilla
• cinnamon

Make a thinner caramel by melting the sugar and butter in a saucepan. If the mixture is thick, add more butter.

Gently stir in the warm milk, a pinch of cinnamon and vanilla.

When everything is combined and simmering, the whisky can be added.

Serve hot and garnish with cinnamon or vanilla.

Brewed beer

• 5 dcl beer (can)
• 1 orange
• 1 lemon
• honey
• 2 aniseed pieces
• 2 pieces of whole cinnamon
• 4 cloves

A very surprising combination, but tasty and healthy.

Peel the orange and the lemon and cut them into cubes. The juice we get around can be used in the drink. So collect them.

Add everything together to the beer and you can brew.

But it is important not to stir the mixture too much. More importantly, don't boil the mixture, just heat it.

White wine with herbs

• 4 dcl wine
• 2 dcl water
• honey or cane sugar
• mint
• basil
• chamomile
• thyme
• lemon balm

We need all the herbs fresh. It's okay if we can't get some of them. We wash them and cut them into smaller pieces to release their aroma and health benefits.

Put all the chopped herbs in hot wine and water and boil them together.

It shouldn't boil together too much, just gently heat.

While heating, add sugar or honey to taste.

Serve drained or with a slice of orange or lemon.