10 Historical Drinks to Keep You Warm This Winter: Timeless Recipes for Cold Nights

When the temperatures drop and the frosty air seeps into your bones, there’s nothing quite like a warm, spiced drink to bring comfort and joy. From the medieval banquets of Europe to the cozy hearths of colonial America, history is brimming with heartwarming beverages designed to ward off the chill of winter. These drinks are more than just recipes—they are stories steeped in tradition, passed down through generations to offer warmth, nourishment, and a sense of togetherness. Whether you’re sipping on a rich buttered beer, indulging in a soothing sage tea, or raising a glass of festive mulled wine, these 10 historical drinks will transport you to a time when people relied on the power of simple ingredients and aromatic spices to survive the coldest months of the year. Grab your favorite mug, light a fire, and let’s explore these timeless recipes perfect for December, January, and February!

Historical Cocktails

1. Mulled Wine (Europe, Medieval Times)

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of red wine (dry or semi-sweet)

  • 1/4 cup honey or sugar

  • 2 cinnamon sticks

  • 5-6 whole cloves

  • 2-3 star anise

  • 1 orange (sliced into rounds)

  • Optional: 1/4 cup brandy

Instructions:

  1. Pour the wine into a pot and set it over low heat. Do not let it boil (this will burn off the alcohol).

  2. Add honey or sugar and stir until dissolved.

  3. Add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and orange slices.

  4. Let the mixture simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to infuse the flavors.

  5. If desired, add brandy for an extra kick.

  6. Strain the spices, serve warm, and garnish with an orange slice or cinnamon stick.

2. Buttered Beer (England, 16th Century)

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of dark ale or beer

  • 1 tbsp butter

  • 2 egg yolks

  • 3 tbsp sugar

  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves

  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Heat the ale or beer in a pot over low heat (do not boil).

  2. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks with sugar until frothy.

  3. Slowly pour the warm ale into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to avoid curdling.

  4. Return the mixture to the pot and gently heat while stirring.

  5. Add butter, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. Stir until the butter melts and the drink thickens slightly.

  6. Serve warm with a sprinkle of nutmeg on top.

3. Wassail (England, Anglo-Saxon Era)

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups apple cider

  • 2 cups ale or beer

  • 1/4 cup honey or sugar

  • 2 cinnamon sticks

  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger

  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

  • 2 whole apples (baked or roasted until soft)

Instructions:

  1. In a pot, combine apple cider, ale, honey, cinnamon sticks, ginger, and nutmeg.

  2. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is warm and fragrant. Do not boil.

  3. Add the roasted apples to the pot and let them steep for 5-10 minutes.

  4. Ladle into mugs, including a piece of apple for garnish.

4. Glogg (Scandinavia, 17th Century)

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of red wine

  • 1/2 cup aquavit or vodka

  • 1/4 cup sugar

  • 5-6 cardamom pods (crushed)

  • 1 cinnamon stick

  • 5-6 whole cloves

  • 1/4 cup raisins

  • 1/4 cup blanched almonds

Instructions:

  1. In a pot, combine red wine, aquavit, sugar, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, and cloves.

  2. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Do not boil.

  3. Add raisins and almonds to the pot and let simmer for 10-15 minutes.

  4. Strain the spices and serve warm, garnished with a few raisins and almonds in each glass.

5. Hot Toddy (Scotland, 18th Century)

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz whiskey

  • 1 tbsp honey

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

  • 1 cup hot water

  • Optional: 1 cinnamon stick or a few whole cloves

Instructions:

  1. In a mug, combine whiskey, honey, and lemon juice.

  2. Pour hot water over the mixture and stir until the honey dissolves.

  3. Garnish with a cinnamon stick or a lemon slice with cloves pressed into it.

Historical Mocktails

1. Buttered Apple Cider (Colonial America)

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups apple cider

  • 1 tbsp butter

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions:

  1. Heat the apple cider in a pot over medium heat.

  2. Stir in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

  3. Simmer gently for 10 minutes until the flavors meld.

  4. Serve warm and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

2. Medieval Sage Tea (Europe, 12th Century)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups water

  • 1 tbsp dried sage leaves (or 2 tbsp fresh sage)

  • 1 tbsp honey or sugar

  • Optional: Lemon slice for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Bring water to a boil and remove from heat.

  2. Add sage leaves and let steep for 5-7 minutes.

  3. Strain the tea into a mug and stir in honey.

  4. Garnish with a lemon slice if desired.

3. Russian Sbiten (Russia, 12th Century)

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups water

  • 1/4 cup honey

  • 2 cinnamon sticks

  • 5-6 whole cloves

  • 1 tbsp grated ginger

  • Optional: 2 tbsp jam (raspberry or blackcurrant)

Instructions:

  1. In a pot, combine water, honey, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ginger.

  2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

  3. If desired, stir in jam for added sweetness and flavor.

  4. Strain the mixture and serve warm.

4. Warm Horchata (Spain/Mexico, 13th Century)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups rice milk or almond milk

  • 2 tbsp sugar

  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, combine rice milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.

  2. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

  3. Serve warm, garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

5. Hot Spiced Milk (Global, Various Traditions)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups milk (dairy or plant-based)

  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

  • 1 tbsp honey or sugar

Instructions:

  1. Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat.

  2. Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, and honey.

  3. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, then pour into mugs.

  4. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.


These 10 historical drinks—with detailed recipes—bring the warmth and flavors of the past to your winter months. From creamy buttered cider to spiced glogg, each drink offers a comforting way to embrace the cold season while enjoying centuries-old traditions. Cheers to a warm and cozy winter! 🥂✨

#WinterWarmers #HistoricalDrinks #HotCider #HotToddy #MulledWine #MocktailMagic #ComfortInAGlass #TCMWisdom #CozySeason #SpicedDrinks

DietChristine PalmaDietComment