With winter around the corner, it is nice to find ways to stay cozy and warm. These months are perfect for fluffy slippers and soft, warm sweaters, being cocooned in a blanket, and indulging in tasty, hot, lattes.
Your go-to hot drink need not be the traditional hot chocolate with marshmallows or apple cider. Nourishing, calming, and healthy lattes offer delicious ways to avoid sugar, yet still enjoy that warm, enveloped feeling.
Along with bringing on snow, winter is known as cold and flu season. So why not build your immune system by loading up on vitamins and antioxidants as you sip away? Here are five latte recipes that are soothing, steamy, full of nutrition, and may boost your mood with a few warming sips!
Whipped matcha latte
Ever heard of the Dalgona coffee craze? This whipped Korean coffee went viral on TikTok last spring. Here is a Dalgona-inspired drink by Simply Quinoa that is a caffeine-free, vegan alternative, yet frothy and healthy all at once.
The ingredients are matcha powder, coconut sugar, almond milk, and hot water. The secret ingredient is aquafaba, or chickpea liquid, which gives it that magical froth.
High in antioxidants, according to Healthline, matcha helps to counteract cell damage. And its catechins may help prevent certain cancers. Matcha may also enhance brain function and can help your heart health.
Smooth hot chocolate latte
No winter latte list is complete without a chocolaty drink! This delicious latte from MindBodyGreen has pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, organic cacao powder, cinnamon, and your favorite milk. As oat milk is thicker, it froths better.
The last healthy ingredient is collagen, which is a boost for your skin, hair, and nails, as well as your gut, according to MindBodyGreen. This is also an important vitamin for soothing dry skin in the winter. Mix the ingredients well and warm up in a saucepan, then froth a little milk and pour on top.
Moringa moon milk latte
In Ayurvedic tradition, the teachings of natural Indian healing, moon milk is a staple. According to Moon and Spoon and Yum, moon milk is a warm, milky drink that one sips before bed to help reduce anxiety and ensure a good night’s sleep.
This vegan moon milk latte from Moon and Spoon and Yum is zipped up with moringa powder and ashwagandha. It also has coconut oil, cardamom, a plant-based milk of your choice, and is sweetened with dates.
Moringa, according to Healthline, offers antioxidants, magnesium, vitamins A, B6, C, and iron. It helps to reduce inflammation and may lower one’s blood sugar level. Adding calming ashwagandha may help reduce stress, lower blood sugar, and enhance brain function.
Chai latte
The combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cardamom with tea is so fragrant, just simmering it on the stove creates a calm and happy feeling! You can use regular milk or plant-based milk in this recipe by 2beingfit. Add chai tea and black tea to the spices, then sweeten with maple syrup or honey and whip it up in an immersion blender.
The aromatic spices are also nutritious, with cinnamon aiding in lowering blood pressure and helping to reduce nausea. Cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves may also help with digestion.
Turmeric latte
This comforting milky drink from India is commonly referred to as Golden Milk. In this recipe by Maddi Alexander, combine turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, a dash of cayenne, plus fresh or powdered ginger. Add milk and honey or maple syrup, then simmer together.
Turmeric lattes may assist in fighting infection and colds, with the turmeric offering many healing benefits. It is anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant, plus it is good for skin, and can help relieve joint pain and arthritis.
Have you tried out our Tumeric latte recipe yet? https://t.co/lBavssGGtr pic.twitter.com/Sr75mQDnfo
— Maddi Alexander (@maddi_alexander) October 8, 2018