36 Homemade Drinks That’ll Make You Feel Warm and Cozy

Updated: Oct. 16, 2023

These extra-cozy sippers will warm you to the core. We've rounded up our best homemade drink recipes for hot cocoa, spiced apple cider, mulled wine and more. The only thing missing? Your mug.

1 / 36

Mulled Wine

This mulled wine is soothing and satisfying with a delightful blend of spices warmed to perfection. Refrigerating the wine mixture overnight allows the flavors to blend, so don’t omit this essential step. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

2 / 36

Mocha Morning Drink

When I'm sipping this delicious coffee, I almost feel as if I'm visiting my favorite coffeehouse. —Jill Rodriguez, Gonzales, Louisiana
3 / 36

Slow-Cooker Apple Cider

There's no last-minute rush before the party when you simmer this slow-cooker apple cider. It has all the tantalizing flavors of fall. —Alpha Wilson, Roswell, New Mexico
4 / 36

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

My mom makes this hot chocolate with pumpkin, spices and white chocolate. We usually drink it on Halloween, but it’s delish at Christmas too. —Sasha King, Westlake Village, California

Also check out the best hot chocolate mixes according to cocoa and cozy experts.

5 / 36
6 / 36

Ghostly Hot Cocoa

Chocolate pudding mix is the convenient start to this clever cocoa mix. Kids of all ages get a kick out of the marshmallow ghost floating on top. —Ruby Gibson, Newton, North Carolina
7 / 36
8 / 36

Viennese Coffee

This isn't your regular cup of Joe! Dress it up with chocolate, whipped cream and more, making it a drink to savor! —Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
9 / 36

Slow-Cooker Chai Tea

A wonderful sweet and spicy aroma wafts from the slow cooker as this fragrant and flavorful chai tea cooks. —Crystal Jo Burns, Iliff, Colorado
10 / 36

Creamy Caramel Mocha

You can easily indulge in a coffeehouse-quality drink at home anytime. With whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle, this mocha treat will perk up even the sleepiest person at the table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
11 / 36

Hot Spiced Wine

My friends, family and I enjoy this spiced wine during cold-winter gatherings. This warm drink will be a special treat for anyone who enjoys dry red wines. —Noel Lickenfelt, Bolivar, Pennsylvania
12 / 36

Spiced Apricot Tea

Warm up a chilly winter morning by serving cups of this hot, fruity tea. It’s wonderful with scones, muffins or other breakfast treats. —Mary Houchin, Lebanon, Illinois
13 / 36

Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider

Spiced with cinnamon sticks, allspice and caramel, this warm-you-up sipper will chase away winter’s chill. Serve brimming mugs alongside a platter of festive cookies at your next holiday gathering. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
14 / 36

Hot Almond N Cream Drink

Just a few sips of this drink, with its rich almond flavor, will warm you up in a hurry. I'm the food service manager for a Christian camp and it's a favorite each year at our Christmas party. —Kaye Kirsch, Bailey, Colorado
15 / 36

Warm Spiced Cider Punch

This is a nice warm-up punch. I like to serve it when there is a nip in the air. The aroma of the apple cider, orange juice and spices as the punch simmers in the slow cooker is wonderful. —Susan Smith, Forest, Virginia
16 / 36

Fluffy Hot Chocolate

This is our daughter's favorite hot chocolate recipe. It may look like ordinary cocoa, but a touch of vanilla sets it apart from the rest. And the melted marshmallows give it a frothy body you won't get from a cocoa packet. —Jo Ann Schimcek, Weimar, Texas

Next, try out this 3-ingredient whipped hot chocolate.

17 / 36

Hot Cider Punch

My hot fruit punch has been a family fave since 1993—hard to believe that we’ve loved it for 20 years! Adding clove-studded orange wedges makes it look especially festive. —Anita Bell, Hermitage, Tennessee
18 / 36

Vanilla Almond Hot Cocoa

Treat your family to this comforting, homemade cocoa as you decorate the tree or open holiday gifts. Vanilla and almond extracts make it taste even more special. —Vicki Holloway, Joelton, Tennessee
19 / 36

Hot Cranberry Cider

Adding colorful appeal to a wintertime meal is easy—just turn to this tasty cider. The cranberry juice gives it lots of flavor, too. —Anna Mary Beiler, Strasburg, Pennsylvania
20 / 36

Spiced Mint Tea

This delightful recipe makes teatime special. Dress up this homemade fresh mint tea with spices and a bit of honey if you like. —Ione Banks, Jefferson, Oregon
21 / 36

Mulled Dr Pepper

When neighbors or friends visit us on a chilly evening, I'll serve this warm Dr Pepper with it's spicy undertones along side ham sandwiches and deviled eggs. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
22 / 36

Mexican Hot Chocolate

This delicious, not-too-sweet Mexican hot chocolate is richly flavored with cocoa and delicately seasoned with spices. The whole-stick cinnamon stirrers come in handy, as the old-fashioned chocolate mixture settles if not stirred before drinking. The blend of cinnamon and chocolate flavors is wonderful! —Kathy Young, Weatherford, Texas
23 / 36

Holiday Peppermint Mocha

Make spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
24 / 36

Coffee with Cinnamon and Cloves

A quick-and-easy, fall-flavored coffee made with instant granules. What's not to love about this special beverage? —Jill Garn, Charlotte, Michigan
25 / 36

Orange Spiced Cider

Every time I serve this wonderful hot beverage, someone asks for the recipe. Orange juice adds a bit of sweetness and Red Hots are a fun substitute for traditional cinnamon sticks. —Erika Reinhard, Colorado Springs, Colorado
26 / 36

Lemon Thyme Green Tea

Fresh sprigs of lemon thyme make this citrusy tea so refreshing—it’s like sipping summer from a cup. My family and I enjoy it so much that it’s a staple on our southern front porch.—Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
27 / 36

Spiced Hot Apple Cider

During cool-weather season, my husband and I take this soul-warming drink outside by the fire pit. Our house smells amazing while the cider is simmering! —Lisa Bynum, Brandon, Mississippi
28 / 36

Peppermint White Hot Chocolate

My soothing white hot chocolate is a great warm-up after a wintry day spent sledding or ice skating. Or include it as a festive addition to brunch or an afternoon tea party. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
29 / 36

Vanilla Citrus Cider

My mom used to make cider for the holidays, so I based my citrus-vanilla variation on her recipe. I think it hits the spot! The longer the cider simmers, the stronger the flavors will be.—Kristin Weglarz, Bremerton, Washington
30 / 36

Creamy Irish Coffee

My maternal grandma seldom drank more than a glass of champagne at Christmas, but she couldn't resist my Creamy Irish Coffee. —Rebecca Little, Park Ridge, Illinois
31 / 36

Frothy Cafe Bombon

I discovered this layered java beverage during my honeymoon in Spain. —Keri Hesemann, St. Charles, Missouri
32 / 36

Caramel-Chai Tea Latte

Inspired by the spicy chai drinks served at coffee shops, I whipped up a caramel-drizzled latte I can enjoy at home anytime. —Katelyn Kelly, Perryville, Maryland
33 / 36

Mulled Grape Cider

I came up with this recipe one year when I tried to make grape jelly and ended up with 30 jars of delicious grape syrup instead. I simmered the syrup with spices to make a lovely autumn drink. —Sharon Harmon, Orange, Massachusetts
34 / 36

Maple Hot Chocolate

When I first developed this version of hot chocolate, my husband was quite skeptical. But after one taste, his doubts were erased. It really hits the spot on a chilly morning, especially when served with cinnamon rolls or doughnuts. —Darlene Miller, Linn, Missouri
35 / 36

Comforting Coffee Milk

This recipe is special to me because the delicious ingredients and flavors speak for themselves without those extra preservatives. Now that’s refreshing! —Brenda Schrag, Farmington, New Mexico
36 / 36

Cappuccino Punch

When I tried this punch at a friend's wedding shower, I had to have the recipe. Guests will eagerly gather around the punch bowl when you ladle out this frothy mocha ice cream drink. —Rose Reich, Nampa, Idaho