There is just something about cold winter days that makes you want to reach for a hot cup of beverage now and then. Coffee seems like the obvious answer to these cravings; it’s comforting, familiar, and feels like an instant energy boost. However, overconsumption of caffeine can have some side effects, like dehydration, disrupted sleep, and jitters. But what if your coffee doesn’t have to be your go-to? What if a cup of warm and comforting tea could also nourish you? The good news is you don’t always have to drown yourself in a cup of coffee every time you find yourself craving something hot. Here are 5 amazing, time-tested winter drinks to keep you warm and cozy during winter.
Why Look beyond Coffee?
Cold winter days naturally slow down your body. Shorter days, colder temperatures, and heavy meals generally leave you low on energy and reaching for something hot to sip on. And while that first cup of coffee feels comforting, many people end up drinking much more during winter than they actually realize. This frequent intake of caffeine disrupts your sleep cycle, upsets the stomach, exacerbates acidity, and sometimes even heightens nervous feelings—especially when combined with winter sluggishness.
On colder days, drinks should not only warm you from the inside but also support immunity and help your digestion cope with winter foods. And that is where a gentle, caffeine-free warm drink makes all the difference. Ingredients like ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, and herbs naturally generate warmth, improve circulation, and, at the same time, help keep at bay common winter issues like coughs, colds, congestion, and heaviness. They keep you cozy without the caffeine crash.
Winter Drinks to Keep You Warm
1- Masala Chai
There are a few things we Indians love more than sipping a cup of chai. A cup of chai quickly improves your mood, helps you bond with your loved ones, and calms you down on a stressful day. However, the addition of aromatic spices elevates chai to new heights. Masala chai is made with a variety of spices such as cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and other herbs and spices.
When combined, these ingredients make a kadak cup of chai, which keeps us warm and comfortable throughout the winter. The spices’ anti-inflammatory qualities protect your body from seasonal illnesses, including colds and coughs. This pleasant beverage finds the perfect blend of warmth and spice, providing both comfort and immunity support.
2- Haldi Doodh
Many people have childhood memories of Haldi Doodh. Grandmothers would make a hot cup of turmeric milk for us to drink before bed whenever we were ill or hurt. As children, we might have rolled our eyes, but our grandmothers were fully aware of their actions. Turmeric milk, sometimes referred to as “golden milk” due to its color, combines the benefits of milk with the therapeutic properties of turmeric.
This comforting beverage enhances digestion, strengthens immunity, and even lessens joint discomfort by lowering inflammation. According to Dr. Deepak Soni, an Ayurvedic Expert at Tata 1mg, turmeric milk is an Ayurvedic immune supporter as well as a home medicine. Regular use of turmeric milk can help avoid sinus congestion, respiratory infections, and irritation of the throat during the winter. Whether you drink it before bed or as a winter comfort drink, haldi doodh is a simple method to improve your health every day.
3- Kashmiri Kahwa
Kashmir’s traditional green tea, kahwa, is a calming, aromatic beverage that perfectly embodies the spirit of winter. It is made with green tea leaves, saffron strands, cardamom pods, cinnamon, and crushed almonds, and is occasionally sweetened with honey. The end result is a transparent amber infusion that is both light and classic.
Kahwa is renowned for its capacity to enhance circulation and metabolism, which is essential in areas with severe cold. While the warmth of spices eases tension and relaxes muscles, the mix of saffron and green tea provides antioxidants that fight weariness. One cup in the morning replaces coffee beautifully, especially on days you want something uplifting and light.
4- Bajra Raab
Bajra raab is a traditional Rajasthani beverage made of pearl millet flour, ghee, black pepper, and jaggery. It’s the ideal fuel for chilly winter nights because it’s thick, substantial, and wonderfully filling. Rich in iron and magnesium, bajra keeps the body warm and fights weariness. The addition of ghee enhances its nutritional value. This winter beverage is ideal for providing you with warmth and nourishment because it is full of iron and healthy fats. It feels like a warm hug in a cup during the chilly winter months. On cold winter days, drinking it is like a warm hug in a cup.
5- Saffron Badam Milk
Kesar Badam Milk is a delicious beverage that blends the goodness of almonds with the aromatic scent of saffron. It is prepared by combining almonds with milk, saffron, cardamom, and jaggery or sugar for sweetness. Rich, fragrant, and indulgent, saffron badam milk is a winter luxury in a cup. Almonds are rich in vital minerals that support general health, including vitamin E, magnesium, and antioxidants.
Saffron gives a delicate aroma and is high in antioxidants, which may aid in improving mood and reducing stress. Cardamom adds natural warmth and aids with digestion in addition to improving flavor. It’s a perfect beverage to drink in the winter because the saffron offers a little warmth, and the almonds provide healthy fats.
Final Sip
Winter does not have to mean endless cups of coffee. Traditional Indian beverages, such as kahwa, turmeric milk, and masala chai, provide warmth, coziness, and health advantages that go well beyond caffeine. Rich in natural energy boosters, anti-inflammatory ingredients, and antioxidants, these Desi treats are ideal for chilly mornings or cozy evenings. So, this season, replace your coffee with one of these nutritional beverages and fill your cup with both warmth and well-being.
FAQs
Is coffee bad for you?
While drinking it in moderation is okay, overconsumption might result in anxiety, dehydration, and sleeplessness.
Are these winter drinks healthier than coffee?
Yes, these traditional winter drinks provide various health benefits like improving digestion, enhancing immunity, and reducing inflammation.
Is masala chai good for immunity?
Yes, the antioxidants in tea leaves, when combined with spices like ginger, clove, black pepper, cardamom, etc., help your natural defenses.
Is it okay to drink one coffee along with these drinks in winter?
Yes, you can have 1-2 cups of coffee a day while also including these beverages in your winter routine.
Can I drink these winter beverages every day?
Yes, you can drink any of these drinks every day in the morning or at night before going to bed.
Are these drinks suitable for kids?
Yes, drinks like haldi doodh, badam milk, and kahwa are not only safe but also good for children.
(The article is written by Ehsan Siddiqui, Team Lead and reviewed by Monalisa Deka, Deputy Manager, Clinical Health & Content, Medical Affairs)
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