When winter's chill sets in, the body just does not feel cold from outside, but it craves warmth from within. A hot cup of chai becomes more than just a habit; it turns into comfort, routine, and a small daily pleasure. While chai and coffee are classics, there are some days when you want something more than these regular hot beverages. Something that feels like a long, comforting hug. A spiced kahwa after a heavy meal, badam milk before bed, or rich hot chocolate can change the whole mood of the day.
These drinks don't just warm up the hands, but they relax sore throats, calm tired minds, and make winter mornings and chilly nights feel more soothing, more unhurried, and a little more special. Here are some classic winter drinks that go above the regular chai and coffee, covering you in warmth with every sip.
Masala Chai
No beverage in India during winter can match the comfort that comes from a steaming hot glass of masala chai. Strong tea leaves, when boiled with milk, sugar, and a blend of ginger, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, warm you from the inside out. The first sip of masala chai has a perfect mix of spice and sweetness, followed by that pleasant heat that clears your throat and keeps you going throughout the day. It is the drink you cover your hands around on foggy mornings, sip it with pakoras on rainy evenings, and share during long, blanket-wrapped talking sessions.
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Hot Chocolate With Desi Twist
Not the basic hot chocolate, but the desi version that is prepared with milk and dark chocolate, then enhanced by a pinch of cinnamon and a hint of cardamom or nutmeg (jaipahl). The outcome is creamy, a little bitter-sweet, and extremely indulgent, which exactly feels like dessert in a mug. During winter, it feels like a prize after a long, tiring day, that warms your palms and gives you that relaxed, cosy happiness with every creamy sip.
Also read: 5 Cocoa Infused Drinks To Cherish This Winter
Badam Milk
When talking about winter comfort drinks, a warm cup of badam milk can never be forgotten. Milk is gently boiled with crushed almonds, some saffron strands, and a hint of cardamom, which creates a fragrant, slightly sweet drink that is both luxurious and nourishing in every sip. The almonds deliver nuttiness, whereas saffron colours it gold and gives a festive warmth. Sipped just before going to bed on a cold winter night, it feels like a lullaby for the body, leaving you calm, refreshed.
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Kahwa
Kahwa is just like sipping sunshine in liquid form on a cold, freezing day. Kahwa is brewed with saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, and some crushed nuts, usually almonds or walnuts. It’s light but fragrant and not heavy like other milk-based drinks, making it ideal for those afternoons when you want warmth without feeling lazy. The flavours are soft but are a mix of floral, slightly sweet, and gently spiced. One cup feels purifying, relaxing and like it’s taking away the chill and the day’s stress altogether.
Suleimani Chai
Suleimani chai is a soulful, spiced black tea that is loved in parts of Kerala and other coastal regions. Boiled without milk, it is seasoned with ingredients such as cardamom, cinnamon, clove, lemon, and a hint of mint, depending on the region. The taste is light, spiced, and gently tangy, making it ideal to sip after heavy winter meals. Warm, amber-coloured, and fragrant, it feels like a reset button to the soul, cutting through richness, helping digestion, and delivering that quiet warmth that remains in your taste buds even after the last sip.
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