One advantage of winter cold is our enhanced enjoyment of hot drinks. Yes, frigid temperatures outside combine nicely with a warm mug of something delicious, which is not the case in summer, right? So, let’s drink together for the next couple of months!
Why do hot liquids make us feel so good? Well, there are some prevalent theories. According to the Medical News Bulletin, there are two areas of the brain that are stimulated when drinking liquids, especially hot ones: the hypothalamus, which regulates our body energy and our feelings of satiety, and the ventral tegmental, which stimulates our feeling of reward. The Guardian reports that just the action of holding a hot drink makes us feel friendlier and more sociable. Perfect in winter! Many hot drinks contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, boost our intake of vitamins and minerals, improve digestion, and can even reduce joint pain! Great attributes! But do we really need scientific reasons to explain our enjoyment of winter hot drinks?
Instead let’s ponder the array of always delicious and often nutritious hot beverages. Coffee comes to mind. Don’t our local coffee establishments have some wonderful (if very sweet) concoctions of coffee with added exotic flavours and flourishes? Hot chocolate runs a close second! Oh my! The diversity of recipes for hot chocolate. Chocolate was originally domesticated in Mexico, and the indigenous people there still drink it milk free, with ground cinnamon and often almonds, and dark, very dark chocolate. They call that “semi-amargo”. But hot chocolate is delish no matter how you like it: with milk, cream, oat milk, almond milk, whipped cream on top, a marshmallow floating. Not to mention, some like it spiked with rum. Howsoever! It is a great winter indulgence.
Here are some new favourites which you might wish to try! Wassail, or spiced, hot cider, is a tart and tasty combination of apple cider simmered with spices (try cinnamon sticks, allspice, and a few cloves) and perhaps some cranberry juice, orange juice and rinds. There are many versions of the soothing Hot Toddy, the traditional basis of which is hot water, honey, and lemon. Chai tea takes your common black tea to another level by simmering with some cardamom pods, peppercorns, nutmeg, then adding cream and a touch of sweetener before serving piping hot. A very beautiful red winter drink results from the heating together of pomegranate juice and cherry juice, with a star anise pods, allspice, and coriander. Add honey to sweeten and some berries as adornment for a spectacular presentation. Here’s a very nice and nutritious lemon ginger mint tea: heat water to boiling, and add a piece of fresh ginger root, a slice of lemon or lime, and some fresh mint leaves, then season with honey to taste. Golden milk is a south Asian hot drink made by adding turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and honey to heated milk. There are many more to experiment with and share over the coming months!
So, grab your favourite mug! That is a comfort in itself. Take it with you as you wander off to check out the hot drink offerings at various establishments right here in Montgomery! And here’s a relevant giggle: “Why did the elephant stand on the marshmallow?” Easy: “So not to fall into the hot chocolate”! See you in the snowy streets!
Denise Brown
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