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.

1. 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. 

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. 

Masala Chai Or Masala Tea

2. 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.

Black Tea, Basic Black Tea

3. 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.

 Kashmiri Kahwa, Kashmiri Tea

4. In Gujarat hot Masala Milk and steaming 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.

 Masala Milk, Saffron Masala Milk Recipe

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.

5. Rajasthan favours a bajra-buttermilk mix called Bajra Raab. It is ideal to have this traditional bajre ki raab during the winters, when it will not only make the new mother feel warm and cozy but also boost her health. It is often served to a lactating mother, as it increases breast milk production. The ajwain used in this recipes aids in digestion too.

bajra raab recipe | Indian pearl millet drink | traditional bajre ki raab | with 10 amazing images

Bajra Raab is a mildly sweetened drink with jaggery. Indian pearl millet drink has a comforting taste and mouth-feel that kind of warms the body and soul!

Bajra Raab, Rajasthani Bajre ki Raab

6. 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.

7. clove tea recipe | clove tea for weight loss | clove tea benefits | laung ki chai for cold and cough | with 12 amazing images.

clove tea recipe | clove tea for weight loss | clove tea benefits | 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.
 

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. tulsi tea | Indian basil tea | tulsi tea for sore throat | tulsi tea for weight loss | with 12 amazing images. 

tulsi tea is made from 2 ingredients, tulsi leaves ( considered a holy herb in India) + lemon juice. Tulsi leaves are cooked in water for 10 minutes. Strain the water and add lemon juices and your tulsi tea for weight loss is ready. 

Comforting and refreshing at the same time, this Indian basil tea, with its unmistakable herbal accents is a wonderful cure for sore throat. 

Tulsi Tea

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