Our 25 Favorite Warming Fall Drinks

Updated October 18, 2018
Credit: Michael Kraus; Styling: Roscoe Betsill

Everyone knows that cold weather calls for hot drinks. Whether you're looking for something boozy or basic, we have the perfect sip for you. 

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Copycat Gingerbread Latte

Credit: Daniel Agee; Food Styling: Blakeslee Giles; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Copycat Gingerbread Latte Recipe

Who needs to make a trip to the cafe when you can make your favorite holiday drinks at home? This gingerbread latte has everything you love about gingerbread and java in one delightfully caffeinated drink. If you can't steam milk at home, warm the milk slowly in a saucepan and froth the milk by shaking it in a tightly sealed jar, using a frother, or whisking thoroughly while heating.

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Transylvanian Hot Toddy

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Transylvanian Hot Toddy Recipe

This lemonade takes away the goose bumps and smoothes raised hairs.

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Slow-Cooker Blood Orange Fizzy Mulled Wine

Credit: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart

Slow-Cooker Blood Orange Fizzy Mulled Wine Recipe

The slow cooker offers great convenience here, keeping the stovetop open for meal prep. Pouring the soda into the hot wine right at the time of service brings the temperature down enough to drink immediately. Change out the orange slices for fresh when serving to punch up the look.

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Malted Hot Cocoa

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Malted Hot Cocoa Recipe

Have some leftover candy from Halloween? Turn them into a sweet garnish atop this Malted Hot Cocoa. Cozy up by the fire and snuggle with a hot mug of this comforting holiday drink.

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Peppermint Stick Hot Chocolate

Credit: Jeff Kauck

Peppermint Stick Hot Chocolate Recipe

For an adults-only party, consider spiking this drink with mint liqueur, such as peppermint schnapps or crème de menthe.

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Warm Spiced Cider

Warm Spiced Cider Recipe

This simple three-ingredient cider recipe couldn't be easier. It starts with store-bought apple cider, then adds a cinnamon stick and a fresh piece of ginger. As the brew simmers, it will fill your home with the fragrance of the holidays.

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Vanilla-Almond Steamer

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr, Mary Lyn Hill Jenkins

Vanilla-Almond Steamer Recipe

This hot drink pairs nicely with Chocolate-Hazelnut Meringues. For a grown-up twist, spike it with brandy, bourbon, gold rum, or cinnamon schnapps. Make the steamer mixture up to a day ahead, refrigerate, then reheat when ready to serve.

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Hot Mojito Tea

Credit: James Carrier

Hot Mojito Tea Recipe

Notes: The mojito - a mint-laced rum cocktail - might be the hottest drink in town these days, but it's served ice cold. We've turned the temperature on its ear for the holidays. To warm glasses, fill with hot water, then drain. Garnish each glass with a mint sprig and a lime slice.

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Applejack-Spiked Hot Cider

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr, Mary Lyn Hill Jenkins

Applejack-Spiked Hot Cider Recipe

Take this drink on the go in a thermos, or let its sweet, spiced scent fill your home. Applejack is a cider-based brandy; Calvados, the French version, would also work in this drink.

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Warm Hazelnut Toddy

Credit: Francesco Lagnese

Warm Hazelnut Toddy Recipe

Curl up by the fire with this simple beverage that takes less than a minute to make. Simply combine hazelnut-flavored liqueur with hot water then top with whipped cream.

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Barcelona Hot Chocolate

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Barcelona Hot Chocolate Recipe

The combination of hot chocolate and espresso is enjoyed in Spain and throughout Europe. This version shows off the chocolate with a hint of orange and isn't as sweet as traditional American-style cocoa drinks.

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Hot Mulled Ginger-Spiced Cider

Hot Mulled Ginger-Spiced Cider Recipe

This seasonal mulled cider is perfect for any holiday celebration, from Thanksgiving dinner to late-night tree decorating sessions. 

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Boozy Buttermint White Hot Chocolate

Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Catherine Crowell Steele; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Boozy Buttermint White Hot Chocolate Recipe

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Hot Spiced Fruit Punch

Credit: BECKY LUIGART-STAYNER

Hot Spiced Fruit Punch Recipe

Leave Santa a note to reheat this aromatic punch in the microwave.

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Irish Coffee

Credit: Jessica Colyer

Irish Coffee Recipe

Irish whiskey, brown sugar, and a crown of frothy cream adds smoothness and warmth to this traditional coffee cocktail. 

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Gingerbread Cocoa

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Gingerbread Cocoa Recipe

Apple pie spice and ground ginger liven up the flavor in Gingerbread Cocoa.

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Mulled Wine

Credit: Alexandra Grablewski; Styling: Lynn Miler

Mulled Wine Recipe

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Creamy Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

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Creamy Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Recipe

This incredibly rich beverage is anything but your nana’s hot cocoa. Incorporating tahini into this dairy-free hot chocolate adds a decadent layer of warming nuttiness that’s a perfect partner to the robust flavors of cocoa and vanilla. 

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Easy Swedish Glögg

Credit: Charles E. Walton IV

Easy Swedish Glögg Recipe

Glögg is the traditional drink in Sweden and Finland during the six weeks leading up to December 25--a cold, dark time of year in Scandinavia. This glögg recipe resembles a variety of historical mulled wines, such as wassail and gluwein.

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Mulled White Wine

Credit: James Carrier

Mulled White Wine Recipe

A lean white wine that hasn't been aged in oak works best for this drink. You can make the citrus base (step 1) up to 1 day ahead; cover and chill. Reheat to continue. For a clearer mulled wine, in step 2 pour the citrus base through a fine strainer into the wine, then add the whole spices. Add a few fresh lemon, orange, and kumquat slices for decoration as well, if you like.

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Copycat Starbucks Turmeric Latte

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Copycat Starbucks Turmeric Latte Recipe

Skip the coffee line and make your own trendy golden latte at home. 

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Boozy Almond-Honey Hot Chocolate

Credit: Linda Pugliese; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Boozy Almond-Honey Hot Chocolate Recipe

Infuse rich hot cocoa with amaretto liqueur to create this perfect adults-only, cold-weather cocktail. 

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Single-Serving Pumpkin Spice Latte

Credit: Jamie Vespa

Single-Serving Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

What if we told you that you could make your favorite, Starbucks-inspired pumpkin spice latte, right there in the comfort of your own home kitchen? Rather than calling for a big batch of homemade pumpkin spice syrup, we've streamlined the process so that you only make as much pumpkin syrup as you need for one latte. Feel free to scale the recipe up if you're preparing more. If you don't have access to an espresso machine, any strongly-brewed coffee will do. In addition, alt-milks or lower-fat milks can be substituted, although whole milk will be the richest and most satisfying.

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Hot Buttered Rum

Credit: Michael Kraus; Styling: Roscoe Betsill

Hot Buttered Rum Recipe

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