Warming Herbs & Spices for Cozy Fall Drinks

The chill of October brings with it the pleasures of cozy comforts, including wrapping our hands around a big warm mug of a delicious tea, latte, or functional beverage. It can be just what we need to inspire us to get the heck out of bed on those dark and chilly mornings, wind down at the end of the day, or give ourselves a soothing self-care break in the middle of a hectic day. 

It’s also comforting to know that some of the delicious warming spices in our hot drinks are also providing us with support to stay healthy during the chilly and sniffly season. Herbs and spices can complement your vitamin and supplement routine, helping you harness the healing powers of nature to keep you feeling your best. We put together a brief list of some of our favourite earthy, warming, calming, and energizing herbs and spices for hot drinks that help to fuel us, soothe our souls, and feel in tune with the season.

Cocoa and Cacao
Cocoa powder offers all the oft-touted benefits of chocolate without any processed sugars. We recommend sweetening up your cup of hot cocoa with raw honey, and adding a tablespoon of coconut oil for some healthy fats. Whizz it up using a milk frother or blender for a delightfully creamy, frothy texture. You can also try using cacao powder in your smoothies, bowls, and baking—it’s the raw, unroasted version of cocoa, so it packs a particularly intense punch of all the good stuff, including antioxidants and minerals!

Tulsi
Also known as Holy Basil, tulsi is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an "adaptogen" meaning it is used to help your body deal with stress on a broad systemic level. It has a lovely, light, uplifting flavour and can now be found in many herbal tea blends. Reducing stress by calming the body and easing our nervous system not only feels good, it helps to keep our immune system strong. So adding in herbs like tulsi, (lavender and chamomile are amazing as well) when tension arises can be beneficial. Try tulsi as part of your wind-down routine in the evening to help set you up for a great night’s sleep.

Yerba Mate
Yerba mate tea boasts some surprising health benefits and may even replace your morning cup of coffee. Much like green tea, yerba mate tea is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, and is also quite tasty. It’s often enjoyed cold, but at this time of year we really appreciate its grounding, earthy flavour served hot. We love that the caffeine in yerba mate gives a gentle, uplifting nudge rather than a big jolt and there’s no crash or jitters to contend with. Perfect for helping you cruise through the afternoon!

Cinnamon
We find cinnamon really boosts our mood just because it has such positive delicious baking associations! But, as a tree bark, it does also have very welcome anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also known to help regulate blood sugar. Try a sprinkle in your coffee or cocoa and add a cinnamon stick to hot apple cider. Warm cinnamon and almond milk, with a drop or two of vanilla and a little maple syrup is absolutely divine.

Ginger
Ginger is well known to be fantastic for calming an uneasy stomach, and it has great anti-inflammatory properties too. You can give yourself a real energy boost with a ginger shot to start your day or make a soothing tea with ginger, lemon and honey—ideal if you’re noticing the start of a sore or scratchy throat. Of course it’s a delicious addition to many dishes as well, from stir-fries to gingerbread men. How versatile!

Turmeric
You’ll often find turmeric paired up with ginger because these two roots taste great together and the health benefits they provide are similar. Turmeric is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants due to the natural compound curcumin. Turmeric is often used in cooking for its rich golden colour and earthy flavour. But it’s a real star for hot drinks too! Use it to create golden milk, a traditional beverage featuring a concoction of turmeric, cinnamon, and a little maple syrup added to a steaming cup of nut milk. You can make it using fresh or dried turmeric. We also have some ready made blends at Pomme.

Medicinal Mushrooms
They’re not herbs or spices, but we couldn’t leave out mushrooms! With all their supportive properties and beautiful, earthy flavours, mushrooms seem so perfect for fall, especially when brewed into a tea. And medicinal mushrooms offer an array of potential benefits, from immune support (chaga and reishi), to respiratory support (cordyceps) to brain health (lion’s mane). They also pair nicely with coffee and cacao drinks, so go ahead and add in a sprinkling or a dropper full of medicinal mushrooms to really power up your cozy hot drinks. If you’re cutting out (or cutting back) caffeine, there are a variety of coffee alternatives made from mushroom blends that you can find in the aisles at Pomme.

This short list is just the beginning when it comes to warming herbs and spices for fall and winter drinks. Nutmeg, cardamom and clove can accompany or replace cinnamon in most of your hot drinks (and recipes) and there are endless possibilities when it comes to dried herbs for tea. Add in some medicinal herbs or dried rose petals to a tea latte, or try adding star anise to hot apple cider. Try something new and see what becomes your new cozy go-to for the season.