Top 10 Hot Drinks in India in 2023

Winter means curling up in a comforter with a hot beverage to keep you warm! Now that winter has arrived in India, it is time for hot and soothing drinks to arrive. If you haven't already started sipping on those winter-specific beverages, now is the time. Here is the list of the best hot drinks in India in 2023. 

1. Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is a beverage that is typically made with red wine, mulling spices, and sometimes raisins. Mulled wine is served hot or warm and is alcoholic, though there are non-alcoholic versions.

2. Kahwa Tea/Kashmiri Tea

Kahwa, a heart-warming winter drink made with Kashmiri green tea leaves simmered in water with whole spices, crunchy nuts, dried fruits, and saffron, is a spicy and nutritious concoction. The sharp, spicy flavours of this Kashmiri speciality not only warm your insides and keep you warm in the winter, but they are also high in nutritional value and help build immunity.

3. Masala Chai

Every Indian is familiar with the 'mightea' masala chai! It is without a doubt the official winter drink. On chilly winter days, nothing beats the spiced and herbed kulhar-wali masala chai on your morning walks or Dhaba visits. The elixir of life will assist you in dealing with a cold winter day. The homemade masala chai variants, on the other hand, are to die for!

4. Hot Chocolate

A winter beverage list would be incomplete without hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is a rich and indulgent concoction of chocolate, cocoa, cinnamon (optional), and milk that is a chocolate lover's delight. It's best when served hot. It goes well with a dollop of whipped cream or some marshmallows. In the winter, no one can or should refuse hot chocolate.

5. Noon Chai

The Noon chai is another beverage unique to Kashmiri cuisine. It is a pink-colored beverage that is known to keep the body warm. It is also known as gulabi chai. It is made with sea salt, milk, and nuts and has a nutty flavour with a velvety texture that is a treat for your taste buds. The tea leaves used in Noon chai are grown in Kashmiri tea plantations, making it a Kashmiri specialty!

6. Badam Milk

Badam milk with almond flavour, a popular Indian household drink, is a warming winter beverage. It is often amped up with some spices like nutmeg and cinnamon to make it more delicious. If you're not a fan of spice, the traditional Badam milk sweetened with sugar will keep you warm.

7. Kanji

Kanji is a winter specialty served at room temperature. If you're wondering why it's not warm but still a winter drink, it's because it's made from a winter vegetable called Kala Gajar. The beverage is cooked long before consumption and allowed to exude all of its flavours.

8. Mushroom Tea

Mushroom tea is a little-known beverage that is a popular winter drink. Start your day with it, and you'll be surprised at how much more energy you have. It's energizing, revitalizing, and buttery in texture. This unusual winter drink tastes like a mushroom stew with a lot of pepper!

9. Shorba

Shorba is a Mughalai dish that is not traditionally a beverage but rather a soup or stew to drink. North Indians and Hyderabadi's make their own variants. It's made by simmering meat with water, aromatic spices, and herbs to make it zesty and spicy! This Middle Eastern delicacy serves as an excellent prelude to your winter meals.

10. Rasam

This delectable South Indian soup is simply impossible to resist. The piping hot, tangy Rasam infused with tamarind and tomatoes is extremely soothing. Rasam is a must-try for anyone who enjoys South Indian cuisine. In the winter, a hearty bowl of Rasam is enough to keep you warm.