3 Cozy Drinks For Cold Weather
Gilmore Girls S 1 Ep 8: I Smell Snow & Max Medina
Today the snow is falling for the first time where I live and I love it. I love snow. As Lorelai says, “the world changes when it snows. It’s quiet. Everything softens.”
Or maybe you are more like Michele who describes winter aptly as “cold and gray, like a fat dead pigeon.”
Season 1 Episode 8 gives us a few great options for making the most of winter weather:
Stay home. The roads are mess, the plows can’t get through. Drop all your plans and cozy up at home.
Watch old movies with warm burgers and popcorn. For added heat, eat something spicy, perhaps a Fiesta Burger.
Take a solo walk in the snow. Don your cutest hat and scarf and enjoy the tranquility of emptying streets, soft crunch of fresh powder under foot.
On said solo walk, run into a handsome man conveniently stranded in your middle of now-where town, eager to get to know you.
If love evades you, you can always whip up a symphony of festive and warm beverages for poor Civil War reenactors committed to duty but caught in the storm.
This is easily one of my all-time favorite GG episodes. In fact, if I had to convince someone to watch the show, I might use this episode as the springboard. It is that good. There is something so dreamy about finding yourself snowed in somewhere quaint, with nowhere to go, and the palpable energy of something beginning with someone you’re into. Stars Hollow is being weird in the best ways, Luke is being grumpy and soft, and everything feels…magical.
This episode is a warm drink pressed to cold finger, steam gratefully meeting a chilled nose, and a first sip…of something hot, melting you from the inside out.
Lorelai: Everybody screws up. It’s what you do with the screw ups that you should judge yourself by.
Max: At some point in your life, you’re gonna have to decide that some guy is worth opening that door for. I am just volunteering.
The Battle For Stars Hollow Re-enactors are gifted some warm drinks from Luke. These 3 beverages are my twist on his offerings.
Honey Chamomile Tea Latte
Prep time: 15 Minutes Servings: 1
Original recipe here
Hay note: The frothed milk makes this simple tea so decadent! I am adding this to my weekly rotation, I loved it that much. Simple, cozy, creamy - everything you want for a cold day!
Ingredients:
1 C water (boiled)
1 Chamomile tea bag
1/2 C milk (or non-dairy)
1-2 tsp honey (measure with your heart)
1 pinch of ground cinnamon
Instructions:
Heat 1 cup of water until it reaches a rolling boil.
Place the chamomile tea bag in a mug and pour the boiling water over it. Let the tea steep for 5-7 minutes, then remove the tea bag.
While the tea is steeping, warm 1/2 cup of milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching, and heat until steaming, but not boiling. Froth the milk before adding it to the tea for a light, airy texture. (I used my hand mixer in the pot I cooked the milk in)
Stir in 1-2 teaspoons of honey into the steeped tea, adjusting the sweetness to your preference.
Pour the warmed milk into the mug with the honey-sweetened chamomile tea. Stir gently to combine.
If desired, sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon on top of the latte for an added touch of warmth and flavor. Serve and enjoy!
Fall Harvest Sparkling Apple Cider Punch (Cold)
Prep time: 5 Minutes Servings: 14 Original Recipe
Ingredients:
2 quarts Apple Cider chilled
12 oz. Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate slightly thawed (I did not have this and just used regular OJ and it was lovely)
1 quart Ginger Ale chilled
4 Cinnamon sticks
Optional: 1 sliced Apple and 1 sliced Orange for garnish
Instructions
In large punch bowl, add Apple Cider, Orange Juice Concentrate (or regular orange juice), Ginger Ale, and Cinnamon Sticks, then stir well.
Add optional apple slices and orange slices to float on top of the punch bowl.
Serve and ENJOY!
Hay Note: This was so refreshing and easy - all the perks of my favorite cider or wassail but super simple. I actually halved the recipe and made it straight in the pitcher I was serving it in for a smaller group of 4.
No pictures of this one, but it looks like cider with a slight carbonated kick!
Fresh Ginger Lemon Cinnamon Tea
Prep time: 5 Mins Cook time: 15 Mins Servings: 2 Original Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cinnamon sticks or 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 lemon sliced
2-3 inches of fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced
2 cups water
Raw honey (optional)
Instructions:
Peel the ginger skin off using a vegetable peeler or knife. Then, make ginger slices or use a grater to make grated ginger. Finally, rinse and slice the lemon.
Combine the sliced ginger, lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and let the tea simmer for 10-15 minutes. Simmering allows the flavors of ginger and cinnamon to infuse into the water.
Remove from heat and let the tea cool for a few minutes. Then, strain the tea using a fine-mesh strainer to remove the ginger, lemon pulp, lemon seeds, and cinnamon pieces.
Add the juice of lemon and honey to taste, if desired. Pour the tea into cups and enjoy!
Hay Note: Ginger is a flavor that has grown on me. The bite in this tea is subtle, warming and soothing. This would make a lovely tea for a sore throat. It truly is Hygge in a cup, perfect for a cold dark evening!
