Top 10 Indian Hot Drinks For Winter

Warm your insides in the cold season with a selection of Indian Hot Drinks for Winter.

For Indian winters, the best hot drinks are those made with warming spices and traditional ingredients that boost immunity and provide comfort. Essential ingredients should include ginger (adrak), known for its warming and anti-inflammatory properties; turmeric (haldi), a powerful antioxidant often mixed with milk for Haldi Doodh to fight cold and cough; and whole spices like cloves (laung), cardamom (elaichi), and black pepper (kali mirch), which are central to making robust Masala Chai or herbal kadhas. Incorporating fresh herbs like tulsi (holy basil) and mint (pudina)creates a soothing, natural remedy for congestion. Using a base of milk for rich beverages or simply water for clear, spiced drinks ensures quick hydration while utilizing these simple, yet potent, warming agents.

Just as summer brings with it a host of cool drinks, winter is the time to indulge in warm beverages that help dispel the chills. People in different regions across India have their own special winter drinks, recipes for which have been handed down over the generations.

Ingredients like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and peppercorn help generate heat in the body and are added generously to hot drinks in this winter season.

 These concoctions not only help to warm the body, they also help combat winter conditions like cold, coughs and stuffy noses. 

List of Indian Hot Drinks for Winter

masala tea

masala chai recipe | masala tea | Mumbai roadside Masala Tea | Indian spiced tea | with 10 amazing images. 

Masala Chai is a very famous hot beverage originated from India. Rainy or winter days, it is a go to beverage. For most Indians, the day starts with a cup of masala chai. Chai or tea is a popular beverage made using a handful of aromatic ingredients. The quantity of all the ingredients varies from person to person. Every household has their own style of making it. 

Black Tea, Basic Black Tea

Black Tea is also drunk all over the world. Black Tea is one of the simplest and most refreshing drinks, forged with the cultures of most world communities. This is without the use of milk and most people opt out of sugar too to make it a complete healthy concoction.

black tea recipe | how to make black tea | Indian black tea | homemade black tea | quick, easy black tea |

Consuming black tea in winter helps keep you warm primarily due to its thermogenic effect and the properties of its simple ingredients. The tea powder contains caffeine and compounds like theophylline, which act as mild stimulants.These stimulants increase your metabolic rate (the speed at which your body converts food into energy), causing a slight rise in your core body temperature.

Kashmiri Kahwa

 Look at other states for inspiration if you would like to experiment. Kashmir is famous for its Kashmiri Kahwa, a delectable blend of green tea with saffron, almonds, and cardamoms.

kashmiri kahwa | kashmiri tea | traditional kashmiri kahwa drink | with 13 amazing images.

Kashmiri Kahwa, a classic winter drink from the Himalayan valley, is a soul-warming drink that resonates with the power of Indian spices.

Masala Milk

Masala Milk 

 Hot Masala Chai are the choices for the season. The milk masala powder which is the main flavour of this recipe is also made at home in batches.  

masala milk | masala doodh | masala milk made from masala milk powder | with 6 amazing images. 

Masala Milk is a highly flavourful milk, which is derived from the Maharashtrian cuisine.

Haldi doodh

haldi doodh recipe |  hot turmeric milk for cold and cough | healthy golden milk for winter | haldi wala doodh | 

Haldi doodh is a powerful traditional drink to enjoy during winters because turmeric contains curcumin, a natural compound known for its strong anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting properties. When combined with warm milk, a pinch of black pepper (which increases curcumin absorption), and a little honey, this soothing beverage helps protect the body from cough, cold, and seasonal infections. Its warming nature supports better digestion, improves sleep quality, and keeps the body naturally warm during chilly weather, making turmeric milk a perfect winter wellness drink.

Ginger tea recipe

 Indian style ginger water for cold and cough which is a super healthy Indian drink to have in the morning. Ginger tea is made from ginger and water and really takes 2 minutes to make.
 

ginger tea recipe | Indian style ginger water for cold and cough | ginger water is home remedy for cold, cough | 

 

Honey Ginger Tea for Cold and Cough

If your down with a cold, try the Honey Ginger Tea. Want to go caffeine free, then our top choice is the tulsi based Herbal Caffeine free Tea.

Honey Ginger Tea for Cold and Cough | Ginger Honey Drink for Cough | Lemon Honey Ginger Drink for Cold | Ginger Honey Tea for Cold | Home Remedy for Cold and Cough | Ginger Tea for Cold | with 11 amazing images.
This soothing and aromatic Honey Ginger Tea for Cold and Cough is a good home remedy for a cold and cough. Ginger, steeped in hot boiling water and mixed with lemon juice and honey, is also a great stress relieving drink.

clove tea recipe

clove tea recipe | clove tea for weight loss | clove tea benefits | laung ki chai for cold and cough |
 laung ki chai is a herbal drink which can sipped on as a substitute to caffeine ladend drinks. Learn how to make clove tea for weight loss.
 

Elaichi Chai

elaichi tea recipe | Indian cardamom tea | elaichi chaa | elaichi wali chai |

 Elaichi Chai is a very famous hot beverage originated from India. Rainy or winter days, it is a go to beverage. It is one of the favourite drinks among Indians. The day starts with a cup of chai or coffee and feels incomplete without it. Indian cardamom tea orelaichi chaa is a popular beverage made using a handful of aromatic ingredients. The quantity of all the ingredients varies from person to person. Every household has their own style of making elaichi wali chai.

lemongrass tea

lemon grass tea recipe | fresh lemongrass tea |  lemongrass and mint tea | with 14 amazing images.

You should definitely try our lemongrass tea. Detox with this healthy and weight loss lemon grass tea.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which are the best Indian hot drinks for winter?
The best Indian hot drinks for winter include Masala Chai, Kashmiri Kahwa, Haldi Doodh (turmeric milk), Ginger Tea, Black Tea, Masala Milk, and Lemongrass Tea. These drinks help keep the body warm and boost immunity.

2. Which Indian drink is best for boosting immunity in winter?
Haldi Doodh, Ginger Tea, Tulsi Tea, and Kashmiri Kahwa are excellent for boosting immunity in winter as they contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

3. Is haldi doodh good to drink daily in winter?
Yes, haldi doodh can be consumed daily in winter. It helps improve immunity, aids digestion, promotes better sleep, and protects against cold and cough.

4. Which hot drink helps with cold and cough naturally?
Ginger Tea, Honey Ginger Tea, Haldi Doodh, and Tulsi-based drinks are effective natural remedies for cold and cough during winter.

5. Is masala chai healthy in winter?
Masala chai is healthy when consumed in moderation. The spices like ginger, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper help generate body heat and improve digestion.

6. Which Indian tea keeps the body warm in cold weather?
Masala Chai, Black Tea, Kashmiri Kahwa, and Ginger Tea are Indian teas that help maintain body warmth during cold weather.

7. Can children drink Indian hot drinks in winter?
Yes, children can safely consume mild Indian hot drinks such as haldi doodh, masala milk, and light ginger tea without strong spices.

8. Are herbal teas better than milk-based drinks in winter?
Both have benefits. Herbal teas help with digestion and hydration, while milk-based drinks like haldi doodh and masala milk provide warmth and nourishment.

9. How many times a day can one drink hot beverages in winter?
Hot beverages can be consumed 2 to 3 times a day in winter, depending on personal tolerance and ingredients used.

10. What ingredients make winter drinks warming?
Ingredients like ginger, turmeric, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, tulsi, and saffron help create warming effects in winter drinks.

Conclusion

Indian hot drinks for winter are more than just comforting beverages—they are deeply rooted in tradition, wellness, and seasonal nourishment. From spice-infused kadha and soothing herbal teas to milk-based classics enjoyed across regions, these drinks provide warmth, immunity support, and relaxation during cold months. Each recipe reflects India’s diverse food culture while addressing common winter needs such as digestion, respiratory comfort, and sustained energy.

Including these top Indian hot drinks in your daily routine helps balance taste with health, making winter more enjoyable and wholesome. Whether served at home, during family gatherings, or as part of a wellness-focused lifestyle, these beverages continue to be timeless winter companions that combine comfort, care, and cultural richness.

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