I came to the realization several years ago (after going through a weird phase where I refused to drink anything besides water) that there is a staggering amount of delicious drinks that can be healthy, tasty, caffeinated or non-caffeinated, and non-alcoholic (or not). From teas to smoothies to coffee and more, the options are endless! I created a little list of suggestions based on the calendar year to encourage drinking seasonally and hopefully help you narrow down your choices when deciding on what to have for your next drink!
January: Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate is perfect for all of the snowy adventurous or cozy blanket-encased reading times. It doesn’t have to be boring! Make some homemade whip cream (vegan) or top with marshmallows and peppermint sticks, try adding a tad of cinnamon or making Mexican hot chocolate for some extra spice!
February: Chai Tea
“Chai” is actually “tea” in Hindi, but a certain blend (normally Masala Chai) has become associated with the word here in the United States. The tea is normally black and flavored with spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc. You normally add a sweetener and some milk (or a dairy-free alternative) when making Chai. Iced or hot, use a concentrated mixture or try making your own version of delicious treat!
March: Peanut Butter Chocolate Smoothie
Two of my favorite things: Peanut Butter and Chocolate. Yummm. What’s more tasty and filling than having the two in drink form? Make this yummy (and healthy) PB Chocolate Smoothie with banana, dairy-free milk, and chocolate! Add a splash of coffee if you need a caffeine boost to get you through the Ides of March.
April: Matcha Tea
Matcha is a vibrant type of green tea that has gained quite the rep lately due to it’s high antioxidant count and fun coloring. Learn more about matcha tea in this article and make your at home version of a matcha bubble tea.
May: Agua Fresca
The possibilities for this one are endless, as you can mix and match fruits to make your own delicious agua frescas–which are homemade juices made of squeezed fruit, water, and a little bit of sweetener and lime. I recently went to Mexico over spring break and some of the best things I had there was the freshly squeezed Mango and Watermelon agua Frescas!
June: Lemonade
What says summer more than lemonade? From simple childhood stands by the side of the road to fun adding raspberries or strawberries to the adult version of twisted lemonade, there’s a version for everyone! When life gives you lemons….make vegan lemon bars to go along with your lemonade!
July: Strawberry Smoothie
Smoothies are great for any season, but July is the height of summer and any beach-side venture calls for a fun summer drink. Also, strawberries are ending their season, so avoid wasting food and use the softer stragglers in a summery strawberry smoothie!
August: Sangria (non alcoholic)
Celebrate the last summer nights before school returns in session with a picnic beach bonfire or forested campfire. Serve snacks, smores, and sangrias to warm up (or cool down) the crowd. Make a classic sangria or try the non-alcoholic version.
September: Tumeric Tea Latte
A sister to matcha, this sister spice is full of antioxidants and has been used for centuries in India to help with digestion. Often called “golden milk” due to the beautiful gold color of the seasoning, this drink tastes like a warm hug.
October: Apple Cider
Apples! So many apples! August through October are prime seasons for apple picking, but if you’ve gotten a little tired of all the apples at this point try making your own cider! Make a warm spiced cider using pressed apples cooked with spices like cinnamon, cardamon, and nutmeg warm the soul and the body after a crisp fall day.
November: Mulled Wine
As the days grow shorter and the cold weather begins to seep in, warm up with a nice glass of mulled wine. A deeper, sweet version of wine cooked with spices is perfect for a chilly evening. You can make a nonalcoholic version using pomegranate and apple juice instead of wine.
December: Peppermint Mocha
Okay, so I’m of the opinion that coffee and mochas are good for every season (hot/iced/spiced/etc) but each year when December rolls around I find myself reaching for a Peppermint Mocha. Now, Starbucks may have oversold a lot of these, but there’s something delicious about having a dark, pepperminty version of hot coffee topped with some whipped cream and peppermint flakes. If you don’t want to splurge at Starbucks, try making your own version at home!
I hope these recipes gave you some inspiration, let me know in the comments what some of your favorite drinks are!