Not sure what to do this weekend? We have a few suggestions. Why not sit back, relax, and sip on a nice, warm, holiday beverage.

One of the best parts about the winter season is our unlimited access pass to laziness. Being the days are shorter and the nights are longer, it’s really no wonder why our couches seem more inviting than ever around this time of year. I mean honestly, who can turn down a date with a warm cup of hot buttered rum? That’s why we have come up with four of the most delicious hot drinks for you to get cozy with this winter.

Hot Cocoa

This holiday classic never runs out of style. For Hot Cocoa, you will need:

• 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
• ¾ cup of white or brown sugar
• 1 cup of your choice of milk (for creamier results, stick to whole milk or evaporated milk)
• ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• A hint of salt

Over a medium to low flame, start stirring 2 tablespoons of milk with the cocoa powder, the salt, and the sugar altogether until the sugar and cocoa powder are fully liquefied.  

Next, add the rest of the milk, and vanilla. Continue to stir over the medium to low flame. Once it is hot enough without coming to a boil, you are ready to serve!

White Hot Chocolate

That’s right! For all you white chocolate lovers, here is your alternative! All you will need is:  

• 4 cups of milk (for creamier results, use whole milk or evaporated milk)
• 1 teaspoon of Vanilla extract
• 225 grams of white chocolate chopped in tiny pieces
• whipped cream for topping

In a sauce pan, add the milk, vanilla extract, and chopped white chocolate pieces and stir altogether. Without coming to a boil, stir over a medium to low heat until everything comes to a simmer.

Once simmering, pour immediately into your mug and top with whipped cream!

Gluhwein (Hot wine)

A drink rich in tradition- this German Christmas favorite is also very popular outside of Germany, and after tasting it, we understand why. You will need:

• ¾ of a cup of water
• ¾ cup of white or brown sugar
• 1-2 cinnamon sticks (depending on your personal taste)
• 1 orange
• 10 cloves
• 750 ml of red wine (or 1 bottle)

Using a saucepan, take the water, cinnamon sticks, and sugar, and bring them all to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and allow it to simmer.

Skin the orange. Using half of the orange, squeeze the juice inside the simmering liquid. Next, take the orange peels, and push the cloves into the orange peels. Place the peels with the pushed in cloves inside the saucepan and allow it to simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Once liquid is thick like syrup, you are ready to pour in the wine.

For a second time, bring the saucepan to a heat, but not a boil. Once hot enough, remove the orange peels and cloves, and you are ready to serve!

Hot buttered rum

This one is a bit of a guilty pleasure, but we are safe to say-we’re not sorry. Here’s what you will need for this decadent drink:

• 2/3 cup of brown sugar
• ½ cup of room temperature butter (salted or unsalted)
• ¼ cup of honey
• ½ teaspoon fine cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon of fine nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon of fine cloves
• Hint of salt
• ¾ cup of spiced rum
• 2 cups of boiling water

First, mix the sugar, butter, honey, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and cloves in a large bowl until smooth.  

Next, add the rum and the two cups of boiling water. Stir well until everything has dissolved. Pour into your mug, and drink up!