Winter Warmer Drinks (Non-Alcoholic) That Aren't Hot Chocolate
Dark at 4pm, cold hands, and you've already had two hot chocolates this week. Here are cosy winter drinks that don't come in a sachet of sugar.
In this guide
There’s a particular kind of British winter afternoon. It’s dark by half four, the radiators are clanking, and your hands are wrapped around whatever mug is nearest.
Hot chocolate is lovely. But by the third one of the week, it can start to feel less like a treat and more like a habit. If you want something warming that isn’t sweet, these are for you.
Why warm drinks feel so good in winter
A warm drink does more than heat your hands. It’s a pause, a ritual, a small moment of comfort in a long day. NHS advice for cold weather includes having regular hot drinks and hot food to help you keep warm, and a mug you can hold for twenty minutes is about the most pleasant way to follow it.
Find your mug
| If you fancy… | Make | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Rich and deep | The classic beef | Beef Marrow |
| Gentle and soothing | The ginger chicken | Pure Chicken |
| Light and bright | The garden mug | Chicken + Veg |
| A bit of heat | The spiced broth | Any of our broths |
| Lightly sweet | Golden milk or spiced apple | No broth needed |
| Your usual coffee, plus protein | Protein coffee | Pure Beef |
Savoury mugs
The classic beef
One tablespoon of Beef Marrow in 250–300ml of hot water, a pinch of salt and plenty of black pepper. Rich, deep and the closest thing to a roast dinner in a mug.
The ginger chicken
Pure Chicken with a few slices of fresh ginger, a dash of soy and a scatter of spring onion. Gentle, fragrant and very soothing on a grey day.
The garden mug
Chicken + Veg with a squeeze of lemon and fresh parsley. Lighter, brighter and ideal mid-afternoon.
The spiced broth
Any of our broths with a pinch of smoked paprika, cumin and a little chilli. Warming in every sense.
Gently sweet (but not too sweet)
Golden milk
Warm your milk of choice with turmeric, ground ginger, cinnamon and a pinch of black pepper. Sweeten lightly with honey if you like.
Spiced apple
Heat cloudy apple juice with a cinnamon stick, a few cloves and orange peel. Top up with hot water to soften the sweetness.
Protein coffee
Your usual coffee with a tablespoon of Pure Beef stirred in. It adds 9.6g of protein and, because the flavour is neutral, it still tastes like your coffee.
Cutting back on sugar this winter?
Ask yourself when you reach for the hot chocolate. For many people, it’s not really about chocolate at all. It’s about warmth and a break. A savoury mug gives you both, with far less sugar and a good amount of protein.
Cutting back on alcohol?
Winter evenings are traditionally a time for mulled wine and a warming glass of something. If you’re drinking less, a mug of something rich and savoury in your favourite cup can fill that "evening ritual" gap surprisingly well.
Questions people ask
What’s a healthy alternative to hot chocolate?
A savoury bone broth mug, golden milk or a lightly spiced apple drink are all warming options with less sugar.
Can I drink bone broth in the evening?
Yes. Plenty of people enjoy a warm mug after dinner as a cosy alternative to something sweet.
How do I stop broth powder clumping?
Stir it into a splash of warm water to make a smooth paste first, then top up with the rest of your hot water.
The cosiest mug in the cupboard
Beef Marrow is our richest, most comforting broth, and it’s award-winning. For a lighter, brighter mug, try Chicken + Veg. Mix and match any three and save up to 15%.
Related Reading
- How to make bone broth taste better
- Food flask ideas for school, work and walks
- What to do with Christmas leftovers
Sources & Further Reading
