The winter season wouldn’t be complete without the rich scent of mulling spices filling the air. One of my favorite things about this time of year is all the delicious hot beverages served at various gatherings. Mulled wine at winter markets, hot cider on the stove at mom’s house, hot cocoa, hot buttered rum… hot dang! Whether you spike them with alcohol or not, these drinks always warm your insides and make your cheeks rosy with happiness.

This time of year is a mega calorie fest for many of us. We tend to eat and drink plenty of rich foods as though we are bears preparing our bodies for long winter hibernation. If you knocked down more than a few glasses of eggnog this holiday season and want to keep your other beverages light while at the same time enjoying the wonderful flavors of the season, we’ve got a roundup of  sippers that deliver big on those nostalgia without weighing you down. You can make these with alcohol or without, but keep in mind that the boozy ones do bring more calories and sugar (and potential wobbliness) than their virgin cousins.

Hot Apple Cider

Will an apple cider a day keep the doctor away? Maybe not, but there’s no doubt apples contain essential vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants we need to stay healthy. If you were lucky enough to make homemade apple cider from this year’s orchard haul, now is the perfect time to use it! Whether you make it spiked or non-alcoholic, hot apple cider is one of those quintessential beverages of winter. Here’s a warm vanilla cider recipe that incorporates bourbon (or not), and one with applejack brandy.

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Hot Cocoa

People love sharing those studies that say eating dark chocolate is good for you, and who wouldn’t? Dark chocolate is not only delicious and proven to boost the happy juices in your brain (aka serotonin), but it also contains antioxidants that can help your body fight off disease. To keep it extra healthy when making your hot cocoa, be sure to opt for dark chocolate and light or non-dairy milk. Here’s a super simple 4-ingredient hot chocolate recipe  we think you should try.

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Mulled Wine

Just like we love reading and sharing scientific facts about chocolate’s healthy properties, the benefits of red wine get shared far and wide. Yes it’s true, the superpowers of wine go well beyond extracting truth from our mouths. The grapes used in its production contain powerful antioxidants known to be beneficial to our health. Need inspiration? Try Jamie Oliver’s mulled wine recipe, which looks absolutely divine.

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What is your favorite hot winter drink? Share your recipe in the comments, or on Twitter at @luvoinc.