3 guilt-free hot drink recipes

It has become noticeably colder over here in California. When I feel that chill in the air all I want to do is curl up with a hot drink and a good book. We have come up with three drinks you can enjoy during the winter months that won't take too much of a toll on your waste line. These are easy vegetarian or vegan, gluten free recipes.

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spiced cinnamon coffee

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup coffee
  • 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 tbsp. unsweetened almond milk (sub soy or nonfat milk if desired)
  • optional: coconut sugar or any sugar of your choosing to taste

Instructions:

  • brew coffee (we love our Chemex!)
  • mix in cinnamon and milk
  • stir with cinnamon stick, which you can just leave in afterwards for a more flavorful drink
  • add in sugar if needed
  • sprinkle cinnamon on top

peppermint mocha

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup coffee
  • 1 drop peppermint extract
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (sub soy or nonfat milk if desired)
  • 2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa 
  • 1 candy cane

Instructions:

  • brew coffee
  • stir in milk, peppermint extract and chocolate syrup with candy cane
  • the candy cane brings in a little sweetness but if you prefer more you can always add a tsp of sweetener

mexican hot chocolate

If you want to make the real deal Mexican hot chocolate, use this chocolate (about half a disc/person if you like it chocolatey), however, if you want to make it healthier, you can also use organic dark chocolate.

Ingredients:

  • chocolate (whichever option you choose)
  • hot water
  • unsweetened almond milk
  • cinnamon (add a cinnamon stick for garnish if you'd like it to look lovely)
  • nutmeg
  • vanilla extract
  • whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

  • pour a thin layer of hot water into a saucepan and bring to a boil
  • add your chocolate and stir until completely melted (you need water to melt the chocolate)
  • add almond milk, a dash of vanilla extract, cinnamon and nutmeg to taste (lighter on the nutmeg)
  • when everything is warmed to your liking, pour into mugs and enjoy
  • garnish with whipped cream if desired and a cinnamon stick!
happy tummy, happy lifestyleSarahrecipeComment