12 Simple Hot Winter Drinks (Non-Alcoholic) to Keep You Warm

Warm up your holiday season with these 12 simple, non-alcoholic hot winter drinks, ready in 5-15 minutes. Perfect for Filipino families during Simbang Gabi or cozy Noche Buena evenings, these beginner-friendly recipes use pantry staples and local ingredients to deliver comforting, low-calorie flavors.

These hot drinks blend Filipino-inspired elements like calamansi, pandan, and ube with classic winter spices like cinnamon and ginger. Low in calories (under 150 per serving), sugar-free or low-sugar, and aligned with Harvard Nutrition for mindful sipping, they’re ideal for all ages. Requiring just a saucepan or microwave, they’re budget-friendly, kid-friendly, and perfect for festive gatherings. Let’s brew some warmth for your Christmas celebrations!

Why These Drinks Are Holiday Must-Haves

These non-alcoholic drinks are quick, cozy, and packed with heartwarming flavors. They’re adaptable for vegan or low-carb diets, use affordable ingredients from wet markets or supermarkets, and serve 4. Most store well for a day, making them great for Simbang Gabi mornings or Noche Buena nights. With minimal prep and cleanup, they bring festive cheer without the fuss.

1. Calamansi Ginger Tea

Zesty, warming tea—perfect for chilly December mornings.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 4 cups water
• 3 tbsp calamansi juice
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp monk fruit sweetener
• 4 mint leaves for garnish

Instructions

1. Boil water with ginger for 5 minutes.
2. Stir in calamansi juice and sweetener.
3. Pour into mugs; garnish with mint.

Tip: Use lemon if calamansi is unavailable. Calories: 15. Net Carbs: 2g. Prep time: 10 minutes.

2. Coconut Hot Chocolate

Creamy, tropical cocoa—a Pinoy holiday treat.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 3 cups light coconut milk
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp stevia powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of nutmeg

Instructions

1. Heat coconut milk; whisk in cocoa, stevia, vanilla, nutmeg.
2. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring.
3. Serve warm.

Tip: Top with coconut flakes for texture. Calories: 110. Net Carbs: 5g. Prep time: 10 minutes.

3. Pandan Cinnamon Latte

Fragrant pandan with cozy cinnamon—a festive sip.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 3 cups water
• 1 cup low-fat milk
• 1 tsp pandan extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp monk fruit sweetener
• 2 black tea bags

Instructions

1. Boil water with cinnamon; add tea bags, steep 5 minutes.
2. Heat milk with pandan; combine with tea.
3. Sweeten and serve warm.

Tip: Find pandan extract at Asian stores. Calories: 50. Net Carbs: 5g. Prep time: 12 minutes.

4. Malunggay Apple Cider

Nutrient-packed cider with a Filipino superfood twist.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 4 cups unsweetened apple juice
• 1 tbsp malunggay powder
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp stevia powder
• 1 tsp calamansi juice

Instructions

1. Heat apple juice with cinnamon for 5 minutes.
2. Stir in malunggay, stevia, calamansi juice.
3. Strain and serve warm.

Tip: Source malunggay at wet markets. Calories: 100. Net Carbs: 10g. Prep time: 10 minutes.

5. Buko Cinnamon Latte

Tropical coconut latte with warming spices.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 3 cups fresh coconut water
• 1 cup light coconut milk
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp monk fruit sweetener
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Heat coconut water and milk in a saucepan.
2. Whisk in cinnamon, sweetener, vanilla; simmer 5 minutes.
3. Serve warm.

Tip: Garnish with a cinnamon stick. Calories: 80. Net Carbs: 6g. Prep time: 10 minutes.

6. Ginger Turmeric Tea

Anti-inflammatory tea with a zesty Pinoy kick.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 4 cups water
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, sliced
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp monk fruit sweetener
• 1 tsp calamansi juice

Instructions

1. Boil water with ginger and turmeric for 5 minutes.
2. Stir in sweetener and calamansi.
3. Serve warm with a lemon slice.

Tip: Add a pinch of black pepper for turmeric boost. Calories: 15. Net Carbs: 2g. Prep time: 10 minutes.

7. Hot Ube Latte

Vibrant, creamy ube drink—a Pinoy holiday favorite.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 3 cups low-fat milk
• 1 cup water
• 2 tsp ube extract
• 1 tbsp stevia powder
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Heat milk and water in a saucepan.
2. Whisk in ube extract, stevia, vanilla; simmer 5 minutes.
3. Serve warm.

Tip: Find ube extract at SM Supermarket. Calories: 70. Net Carbs: 8g. Prep time: 10 minutes.

8. Spiced Salabat (Filipino Ginger Tea)

Traditional Pinoy tea with a sugar-free twist.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 4 cups water
• 2 tbsp fresh ginger, sliced
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tbsp monk fruit sweetener
• 1 tsp calamansi zest

Instructions

1. Boil water with ginger and cinnamon for 7 minutes.
2. Stir in sweetener and calamansi zest.
3. Strain and serve warm.

Tip: Add a clove for deeper flavor. Calories: 15. Net Carbs: 2g. Prep time: 12 minutes.

9. Hot Calamansi Honey Tea

Soothing, vitamin-C-rich tea for holiday evenings.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 4 cups water
• 4 tbsp calamansi juice
• 1 tbsp monk fruit sweetener (or honey substitute)
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 4 mint sprigs

Instructions

1. Boil water; stir in calamansi juice, sweetener, lemon zest.
2. Simmer 3 minutes.
3. Serve warm with mint sprigs.

Tip: Use fresh calamansi for best flavor. Calories: 20. Net Carbs: 3g. Prep time: 8 minutes.

10. Cinnamon Orange Tea

Bright, citrusy tea with warm spices—festive and light.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 4 cups water
• 2 black tea bags
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 1 tbsp stevia powder

Instructions

1. Boil water with cinnamon; add tea bags, steep 5 minutes.
2. Stir in orange juice and stevia.
3. Serve warm.

Tip: Garnish with orange slices. Calories: 25. Net Carbs: 3g. Prep time: 10 minutes.

11. Hot Coconut Chai

Spiced, creamy chai with a tropical Pinoy twist.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 3 cups light coconut milk
• 1 cup water
• 2 black tea bags
• 1 tsp cardamom
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp monk fruit sweetener

Instructions

1. Heat coconut milk and water with cardamom, cinnamon.
2. Add tea bags; steep 5 minutes.
3. Sweeten and serve warm.

Tip: Sprinkle with nutmeg for extra warmth. Calories: 90. Net Carbs: 4g. Prep time: 12 minutes.

12. Warm Mango Smoothie

Tropical, creamy drink—perfect for a cozy twist.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 2 cups low-fat milk
• 1 cup mango puree (unsweetened)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp stevia powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Heat milk in a saucepan; stir in mango puree, cinnamon, stevia, vanilla.
2. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring.
3. Serve warm in mugs.

Tip: Use frozen mango for convenience. Calories: 80. Net Carbs: 10g. Prep time: 10 minutes.

Nutrition Comparison Table

Per serving (approx. values).

Recipe	Calories	Net Carbs (g)	Prep Time (min)
Calamansi Ginger Tea	15	2	10
Coconut Hot Chocolate	110	5	10
Pandan Cinnamon Latte	50	5	12
Malunggay Apple Cider	100	10	10
Buko Cinnamon Latte	80	6	10
Ginger Turmeric Tea	15	2	10
Hot Ube Latte	70	8	10
Spiced Salabat	15	2	12
Calamansi Honey Tea	20	3	8
Cinnamon Orange Tea	25	3	10
Coconut Chai	90	4	12
Warm Mango Smoothie	80	10	10

Prep and Storage Tips

• Prep Ahead: Grate ginger or mix spices 1 day early; store in fridge (USDA storage).
• Storage: Keep drinks in airtight containers or thermos; fridge for 1-2 days. Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave (1-2 minutes).
• Serving: Use festive mugs ($2-3 at Divisoria) with parol-themed stirrers for Pinoy holiday vibes.
• Batch Prep: Double recipes for larger gatherings; serve from a thermos for Simbang Gabi.

Customizing for Filipino Winter Cheer

Make these drinks your own for Christmas gatherings. Swap calamansi for lemon or add pandan to any tea for Pinoy flair. Use coconut sugar sparingly for a traditional touch. Make vegan by using plant-based milks (soy, oat). Garnish with cinnamon sticks, calamansi slices, or edible flowers for festive appeal. Track with MyFitnessPal for mindful sipping during Noche Buena or Simbang Gabi.

FAQ

• Are these beginner-friendly? Yes! Most require just boiling and stirring.
• Can I make them vegan? Use plant-based milk (soy, almond) for lattes and hot chocolate; teas are vegan.
• How long do they last? Fridge: 1-2 days; best served fresh.
• Are these low-carb? Teas and salabat are under 3g carbs; avoid cider or smoothie for keto.
• Where can I find ingredients? Wet markets, SM Supermarket, or Lazada; malunggay at veggie stalls.
• Can I use a microwave? Yes! Heat liquids for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway.
• How do I keep them healthy? Use sugar-free sweeteners and low-fat or plant-based milks.

These 12 simple, non-alcoholic hot winter drinks bring cozy warmth to your Filipino Christmas. From calamansi ginger tea to hot ube latte, they’re quick, healthy, and perfect for Simbang Gabi or Noche Buena. Brew, sip, and enjoy a festive, guilt-free holiday. Maligayang Pasko!