October comes and goes so quickly, leaving Halloween as a spooky yet slightly brisk memory. When the calendar strikes November 1st, it seems all the more apparent that the chilly Autumn season is in full swing, with the icy grip of Winter drawing ever so closer.
Whilst we increase our worn layers in the form of woolly bobble hats, 3 metre scarfs and coats gigantic enough to combat a blizzard, sometimes we all need something more. Something to ignite that warm furnace in our bellies, so that we can endure those icy strolls to work or the occasional frosty walk through town as your quest for Christmas shopping begins. That something is of course a hot, tantalizing beverage. Until Spring returns next March, there ‘s an assortment of the best steamy drinks that will get you through the Autumn-Winter seasons.
1. Pumpkin Spiced Latte
Starting with a classic, the signature pumpkin-themed coffee becoming available in Starbucks is practically the annual signal that the Autumn season is here. The comforting blend of espresso; milk, cinnamon, nutmeg & pumpkin, topped with sumptuous whipped cream & pumpkin spice warmly wraps around every coffee-nut’s heart, right before a photo of each filled polyethylene paper cup is taken to be posted on each of their Instagram feeds.
When coffee shops large & small almost masterfully craft the barista coffee beans into the energising espresso necessary for the pumpkin concoction; with the assistance of powerfully efficient heavy duty, automatic espresso coffee machines (Bravilor; La Spaziale, Expobar, WMF), it’s almost like your local barista is catering to your shivering, wintry needs with this sweet delight.
Understandably, those daily lattes can surely weigh on your wallet. Nevertheless, with so many innovative home recipes and the rise of affordable espresso machines such as the K-Fee Commerical Black Single Coffee Pod Machineor an increase in affordable roast espresso beans (Douwe Egberts), a top quality homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte is more within your grasp. You can even purchase a pack of beautiful porcelain latte mugs to give your personal lattes that café feel equivalent to Starbucks.
2. Twinings Tea
The definition of both light & comforting. Now being available in so many varieties of flavour, it’s Twining’s personal takes on the simple brew that will always lift you up whilst raising your temperature without fail. Standard tea flavours have branched out to the well-known, loved flavours like soothing Camomile or sharp Peppermint. Green tea flavours available now include fruity choices from Apple & Pear or Pinepple & Grapefruit to something a bit sweeter like Fudge Melts or Cherry Bakewell. Even if not flavoured, the pure green tea still tastes like a full package of refreshment & antioxidants revitalising your system. During the beginning of 2015, the posh tea contender’s sales rose to £107 million, challenging PG Tips as the second biggest UK tea brand. Such achievements has made Twinings being craved and sought nationwide, being available at all of the main supermarket giants.
Although, Twinings isn’t just the top choice of branded tea for the British Autumn because of having tons of flavours. It’s because Twinings is almost the embodiment of British taste. Even when going with a classical option: either a bit of Earl Grey or Everyday Enveloped Tea Bag, your pallet cannot help but be engulfed by the rich, bold flavour as that Twinings heat envelops your taste buds. Whether requesting it at your local Costa or simply needing to fill your to-go cup at home with something simple before you dash off to the office, this enriched brand of tea never lets you down in terms of invigoration for that morning boost as those November-December winds just keep getting chillier.
3. Mulled Wine
If you’ve been down to the Manchester Christmas Markets, then you’ve heard of if not held a hot, steamy mug of spicy mulled wine. A magical fusion of heated red wine and various mulled spices has endured it’s stance as a traditional Winter-Christmas drink for centuries.
Whether being blended home made or served on the high street with varied spices: ginger; cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves or even vanilla, one of the best things about enjoying mulled wine is that each one is so different. Mulled Wine is known for not being a mass-manufactured drink. Each one you’ll sample from local vendors or your kitchen experimentations will be different than the last. It’s sweet yet sour, unpredictable & almost as if it’s made with love by it’s specialist craftsman in order to delve you deep into Christmas cheer.
Waiting for those high street shops & market vendors to whip up their batches of mulled wonder can certainly take it’s toll if festive versions only start selling in December. However, hopeful wine tasters out there should have no fear. With selections of pre-packed mulled wine spices alongside simplistic, adaptable recipes, creating your own mulled wine & blissfully guzzling it down from some quality homely mugs (Art De Cuisine) has never been so close to being part of your daily cold-season routine.
4. Tassimo
An efficient lifesaver packed into a qualitative capsule, Tassimo’s hot drink machines & pods established themselves as one of the top brands in the UK since launching into the niche market in 2004. After slipping one of Tassimo’s many varied pods into the machine, going from pushing the start button to cup within 30-60 seconds makes this type of drink vital to anyone who wants to gulp down a speedy & warm caffeine jolt. As you’re dashing around your living room & bedroom; gathering your things together for the day, having to leave within several minute’s notice, knowing that your cappuccino, americano or even a hot chocolate is being simultaneously mixed & filling your cup is a magical comfort. It puts your mind at ease knowing that you’ll soon be able to merely stroll over to the kitchen counter & enjoy the short time you have left before your morning commute, warming yourself up before setting off on your merry way.
High street brand loyalists may be thinking of the struggle they face having to choose between a quick & easy home coffee or that premium Costa Latte that is treasured so dearly on a daily basis. Since 2012, those fears have been continuously vanquished with the release of Tassimo’s Costa Brand coffee pods: available in Costa Americano, Cappuccino or Coffee Creamer. The quality of these robust, plastic, single-use capsules maintain the integrity of it’s soon-to-be-drunk contents at it’s peak levels. Each pod being sealed for each single use prevents any depreciation of taste or flavour due to reduced contact with air & sunlight before entering the machine. There is no wake-up boost like the morning zap of a freshly sealed & pure espresso before creating a man-shaped hole in the door you just dashed through.
5. Hot Water-Lemon Infusion
A simple name with a deep, meaningful construction. Starting out as a family recipe released by cookbook author, Anupy Singla, the Hot Water-Lemon Infusion utilizes it’s coalition of health-beneficial ingredients to compliment it’s marvelous taste of soothing warmth.
Whilst the standard coupling of warm/hot water & lemon flushes livers & kidneys of toxins, as most health nuts or foodies know, the Infusion promotes other comforting benefits. Antioxidant & anti-inflammatory boosts are provided by dashes of turmeric. Pinches of cayenne or red chilli powder than can be added are known to add fuel to the furnace that is your metabolism. Finally being stirred in with some sprinklings of sea salt & raw sugar fully compliment the beverage with a sweet & sour sensation whilst slightly stimulating the brain.
After years of standard teas; coffees, & hot chocolates with varied alterations, the Infusion is a perfect example of a nutritional alternative to bolster your immune system alongside a flavourful taste. Not to mention that any type of lemon-based hot drink with health aspects feels like a warm, healing hug with every sip. Whenever you’re in the mood for some lemon zest or even a delicious cure for that sniffled nose & sore throat, order a few trendy Casablanca Utopia glasses & get mixing.